Thanks for having me minsjohnfrancis.com, I am Fred Glick, CEO and Founder of fred glick real estate mortgage (Aka) ARA Inc.With over four decades of experience in the mortgage and real estate industries, I’ve developed a unique approach to helping buyers and sellers.
Fred glick real estate mortgage
At ARA Inc., we offer straightforward, flat-fee services while passing savings back to you. We’re licensed in Washington, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, and we’re committed to simplifying real estate transactions for all our clients.
A Shift in the Real Estate Model
After many years in the industry, I discovered that it took the same effort to process a $500,000 loan as a $9 million loan. That’s when I had an epiphany: we could offer a fixed-fee structure and return the traditional buyer broker commission—typically around 2.5-3%—to the client. This led to a more equitable and efficient model for both buyers and sellers.
For example, when we sell a house, we charge a flat fee of $15,750, and in addition to that, we cover various inspection costs. This includes home inspections, termite checks, sewer evaluations, and structural assessments. Since we don’t pay hefty commissions to agents, we invest that money back into preparing the property.
Preparing a Home for Sale: A Step-by-Step Process
Our comprehensive approach to preparing a property for sale goes beyond just inspections:
- Inspections & Repairs: We start by conducting all necessary inspections and then meet with the homeowner to discuss repair options. Whether it’s fixing a structural issue or simply sprucing up a room with new floors or paint, we guide you through the process and connect you with the right contractors.
- Staging & Cleaning: Once the repairs are done, we pay for a thorough cleaning and staging. Unlike other companies, we cover the costs of staging the home or offer digital staging via 3D Matterport. This ensures that your home is presented in the best possible light to prospective buyers.
- Listing & Marketing: We list your property on the MLS, but with a twist. During the listing process, we collaborate with the homeowner on a Google Meet or Zoom call, turning the MLS listing into a podcast where the owner can explain upgrades and features in their own words. This adds a personal touch and gives buyers unique insights into the property.
- AI-Powered Descriptions: Instead of relying on tired real estate clichés, we use AI (such as Claude) to generate engaging, descriptive listings. We then refine these descriptions to make them both inviting and informative.
- Custom Property Websites: Each property gets its own website, complete with all the relevant disclosures, inspections, and even a place for offers. We use services like Disclosures.io, which streamline the offer process and allow easy comparison of multiple offers in a clear format.
A Streamlined Buyer Experience
For buyers, we make the process as efficient as possible. We start with a Google Meet to discuss your criteria and any necessary steps, including getting fully underwritten pre-approvals. Then, using tools like Slack, buyers can send us links to properties, and we’ll pull up all the relevant disclosures and agent notes. We even coordinate showings, whether it’s with a listing agent or by hiring a licensed agent to open doors if needed.
What’s unique about our service is that everything—conversations, documents, and updates—is centralized in Slack, making it easy to reference and track the entire process. No need for countless phone calls or emails; everything is right there in one place.
Flat Fee and Buyer Broker Rebate
At ARA Inc., we charge a flat fee of $9,750 at the close of escrow. No upfront fees—if anyone asks you for money before the close of escrow, run the other way. There are three ways we use the buyer broker fee rebate to benefit you:
- Offer Reduction: You can use the rebate to reduce your offer price. For example, if you’re making a $1 million offer, but there’s $50,000 of buyer broker fees, you could offer $950,000 instead. This lowers your mortgage amount, reduces the seller’s transfer tax, and even lowers your real estate taxes.
- Mortgage Costs: You can use the rebate towards closing costs, like buying down points on your mortgage. The great thing is that if you use the rebate for points, it’s tax-deductible—and since you didn’t pay for the rebate, it’s essentially free money.
- Flexibility: We can also adjust the rebate to fit any specific needs within your transaction, ensuring you maximize its value.
Transparency and Context: Key to Success
The most important element in real estate transactions is context. Understanding every aspect of the deal is essential to making informed decisions, and we strive to provide all the information you need. We’re not here to just make commissions; we’re here to give you the complete picture so that you can succeed in your real estate endeavors.
A New Era of Real Estate
The traditional real estate model is outdated. Franchises push agents to meet quotas, leading to an influx of underqualified professionals. Meanwhile, the real value in real estate lies in transparency, context, and intelligent decision-making. At ARA Inc., we focus on giving you that clarity, not just selling you on services.
I’m proud to say that we’re not tied to outdated systems like the National Association of Realtors. We believe in offering our clients real value, not just sticking to industry norms for the sake of it.
Conclusion
Whether you’re buying or selling, ARA Inc. offers a modern, transparent, and flat-fee approach to real estate. We focus on providing you with the necessary context and tools to make the best decisions, all while saving you money through our unique pricing model. If you’re looking for a smarter way to navigate the real estate market, we’re here to help.
