SELLER 101
Congratulations!
Selling your home means change. Change is one of the most stressful events that we encounter. It is a process that is filled with emotions. After all, your home is where you may have raised a family and celebrated life events. Your home is often your largest financial asset.
David Birka has a degree in Marketing & Public Relations and is a Graduate of REALTOR Institute, GRI. He has successfully guided home sellers with the home sale process in Rochester & SE Minnesota for over 16 years. David grew up in Rochester, and has worked in the business community for over 30 years! His connections in this region are invaluable to making the real estate sales process go smoothly.
Call, Text or send an email for your no obligation FREE Home Valuation today – 507-250-1000 or david@davidbirka.com
David understands that your home is your single most important investment. Let his background and experience ensure that you will net the best possible price for your home, in the shortest amount of time, and with a minimum of inconvenience to you.
"I work hard to make sure that my marketing is well executed, and that my sellers are well informed of the status of their listing, and the current market conditions and trends. I have a sincere commitment to my clients." David Birka
What Will Dave Do For You?
The First Steps Taken During the Home Buying Process
Market Analysis
Pricing Strategy
Immediate Action Plan
Showing Your Home
The Offer
Negotiation
Closing Process
Title Matters
Moving On
David has the tools and expertise to get your home exposed to the most potential buyers, backed by the world’s largest, and most respected global brand, Coldwell Banker to facilitate global exposure.
A home seller will have many questions. David can help answer your questions and include a presentation to go over the process to include several items that you may have never thought about regarding your home sale.
How is the Rochester Real Estate Market? How long does it take to sell my home? Is winter the best time to sell? Is spring the best time to sell? Does it make sense to get a home Pre-Inspection? Should I hire a painter? Should I hire a carpenter? Should I hire a Plumber? What about Home Staging? Should I hire a home stager? Does the buyer need a Home Warranty? How do I get the best price for my home? What are my proceeds after I close on my house?
The more eyes that see your home, the more potential you will end up with the best buyer available in the current market.
As a Rochester native, Dave can share the latest local market conditions, trends and MLS information with his clients to present a picture of the market. This comprehensive Competitive Market Analysis will help you to determine the value of your property. Dave and his associates have the experience and resources to develop an effective marketing campaign to ensure success.
This website offers your potential home buyer an edge to keep in front of the competition. Buyers will experience a full suite of features including, the MLS Search, Automated Emails of Buyer Matches and Price Adjustments, Virtual tours, Full-Color Brochures, and More!
As a Graduate of the REALTOR® Institute, GRI, David has gained the knowledge, expertise, and skill set necessary to make selling your home a success.
“He epitomizes the ideal REALTOR; Dave is an expert on Rochester, an organized manager, a tasteful decorator, and most importantly, a trusted friend.” Helena and Erik, Mayo Clinic
The First Steps Taken During the Home Buying Process
National Association of Realtors
| All Buyers | First-time Buyers | Repeat Buyers |
Looked online for properties for sale | 44% | 35% | 45% |
Contacted a real estate agent | 18% | 14% | 20% |
Looked online for information about the home buying process | 11% | 17% | 8% |
Drove-by homes/neighborhoods | 8% | 5% | 9% |
Talked with a friend or relative about home buying process | 6% | 11% | 3% |
Contacted a bank or mortgage lender | 6% | 9% | 4% |
Visited open houses | 3% | 3% | 4% |
Looked in newspapers, magazines, or home buying guides | 1% | 1% | 2% |
Contacted builder/visited builder models | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Contacted home seller directly | 1% | 1% | 2% |
Attended a home buying seminar | 1% | 2% | * |
Looked up information about different neighborhoods or area schools, local lifestyle/ nightlife, parks, public transportation | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Read book or guides about the home buying process | * | 1% | * |
Other | 1% | 1% | 1% |
* less than 1%
“We want you to know what a huge blessing you have been to our family. Selling our first home in such a professional and fast manor, then helping us get through the building process was a GREAT experience.” Jeff & Heather, Mayo Clinic
Market Analysis
A good marketing strategy is based on solid data. A market analysis is used to assist you in determining the market value of your home. Homes that are similar to yours in the same area that have recently sold, pending sale, and active are used. "We will also need to develop an understanding of what your home will offer to a prospective buyer. Your input will be important as no one knows your home better than you."
Dave has the experience in your neighborhood needed to prepare a free, no obligation Competitive Market Analysis (CMA).
Pricing Strategy
Today's buyer is well informed and price sensitive. A property that is priced over the market can often deter buyers who are serious about finding a property. If the property is under-priced, it will most likely sell quickly impacting your net proceeds. Care and research should be taken when establishing the original listing price.
There are many factors that will affect the selling price. The following should help you determine the price you can expect to receive:
§ Direct Competition
§ Condition
§ Seasonal Fluctuations
§ Buyer vs. Seller Market
§ House Size, Layout
§ Location
§ Amenities
§ Timeline
§ Terms
The Golden Rule of Real Estate
Price, terms and condition and marketing can all be changed. Location will remain the same.
“We would not hesitate to recommend David to anyone considering buyer or selling their home. We have already done so with so many of our friends.” Ed and Linda, Mayo Clinic
Immediate Action Plan
(Sample of David’s Marketing )
Activate your listing — SE MN Association of REALTOR® Multiple Listing Service (SE MN Region)
Activate your listing — Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota (Twin Cities Region)
Benefit — Market exposure to professional real estate agents who are REALTOR® members of the Multiple Listing Service in a large geographic area
Virtual Tour — Take quality photos and virtual photo tour with descriptive text to paint a vivid picture of the home and showcase the features that make your home special. Drone Aircraft is often used for stunning impact.
Benefit — Properties are viewed in seconds on the smartphone or computer. A good photo with capture the attention of the viewer, and invite them in to see more
Install Electronic Lock Box — Records showing activity and reports feedback
Benefit — Releases seller from being present, and limits access to set hours and qualified agents
Internet Marketing — 2018 National Association of REALTOR® reports over 87% of home buyers use the internet in their search for real estate
Benefit — Gets your listing exposed to a mass audience
Social Media Marketing – Added Marketing Exposure on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,
Marketing Brochures — Presents a visual picture and contains the descriptive information of your property
Benefit — Keeps your home in the Buyer's mind
"For Sale" Sign — Source of buyer inquiries, can be enhanced with marketing brochures for a "24-hour open house"
Benefit — An effective way to attract buyers; neighbors can tell friends, family, and work associates of the home
Office Tour — (When Available) Exposes property to listing office REALTOR® members representing several qualified buyers
Benefit — Tour evaluations provide seller feedback on pricing and condition of property
Open House — An event to show your home to buyers interested in the neighborhood and your home
Benefit — Opportunity for buyers that wish to shop anonymously to view your home
Newspaper Advertising — Despite the studies that show the effectiveness of newspaper advertising in real estate is declining, newspaper can still enhance the overall campaign
Benefit — Captures a generation that uses newspaper for news and information
Email Alerts — Set up automated notifications to you and buyers with new listings and price changes based on a custom profile
Benefit — You can actively view the changes occurring in the market
Pre-inspection — A professional perspective on the condition of the home
Benefit — Offers a proactive approach to curing problems in the transaction
Home Warranty — A service contract that covers the repair or replacement of common breakdowns
Benefit — Provides buyers and seller peace of mind
Target Mailing — Send post cards to prospective buyers in the area
Benefit — Provides exposure to a concentrated market segment
Property Information Book — A central location for all home information, manuals, plat maps and other valuable information
Benefit — On the spot information resource for REALTOR® and prospective buyers
Feedback — Showing information, realtor feedback, market news and information will be shared on a weekly basis
Benefit — Provides on going communication to keep the marketing process on track
We’ve used David’s services twice. Dave was meticulous in helping us prepare our home for the sale, from staging to photos. We can’t recommend Dave highly enough. He handled all of the nerve-wracking details. It was wonderful working with him.
Showing Your Home
Most of the time you will be given at an hour notice before a REALTOR® shows your home. Before you prepare your home to show, add these small, but important, finishing touches. Remember, the first few minutes of the showing are important to capture a buyer's interest.
Light and Bright — Whether it is day or night, a lit house gives a "Welcome Home" impression. So turn on all the lights, indoor and outdoor. Open all curtains and drapes to let in maximum light. Your home looks more cheerful and it also prevents harsh shadows.
Out of Sight — Prospective buyers may feel like intruders if you are home during a showing. Allow the Realtor the opportunity to speak freely with buyers and emphasis your home's best features. If possible, take a walk, visit the library, go shopping or take the kids to the park. If you cannot leave, try to remain out of sight and do not accompany the buyers from room to room.
The Scent of Success — Scented sprays are too obvious and may be found offensive. For a pleasing fragrance, add a few drops of vanilla extract on a stove burner or boil water and add some cinnamon. Refrigerator cookies are quick and easy to bake, as well as lighting a scented candle prior to a showing. Both will make your home more attractive.
Waste Not — Empty the trash in the kitchen and any other waste baskets before a showing. Garbage does not send a positive message, even in small amounts.
Comfort Counts — Make sure the thermostat is set such that the house is at a comfortable temperature. Turn off the television and turn soft, melodious music on.
Pets — It is best to try and take your pets with you while your home is being shown. If that is not possible, you can use a portable pet shelter, or they can be put in a bedroom temporarily.
“From the initial viewing, and through the sale and closing of out two homes, you measured guidance and counsel have been invaluable.” Barbara & Joel
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The Offer
Congratulations you have an offer!
Here are some tips for you to use when you review an offer.
The bid price — Is it within 3 to 5 percent of your asking price? If so, most real estate agents will tell you it's a good offer and urge you to consider acceptin
Testimonials
- Steve and Ann F.
- Joel & Barb
- Barbara V. & Family
- Lawman Family
- A Al Juboori
- Mike Schendel/Jennifer Manning
- Heidi W.
- Beth Laskowski
- L & T Westman
- David Birka, GRI, ABR, REALTOR - Client Reviews
- Bryan Schendel
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Coldwell Banker River Valley, REALTORS - Rochester are marked with the Broker Reciprocity logo or the Broker Reciprocity thumbnail logo (little black
house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.
Metro MLS - Milwaukee Data provided by Metro MLS. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers personal, non-commercial use and that it may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Multiple Listing Service. Information is supplied by seller and other third parties and has not been verified. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Coldwell Banker River Valley, REALTORS - Rochester may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. Copyright ©2026 - Multiple Listing Service, Inc. - All rights reserved.
Last Updated: September 9, 2026 5:45 PM UTC
© 2026 Realtor Association of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved. The data relating to real estate for sale on this limited electronic display comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity (sm) Program of the Realtor Association of Southern Minnesota Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other then Coldwell Banker River Valley, REALTORS - Rochester are marked with the Broker Reciprocity(sm) logo or the Broker Reciprocity(sm) thumbnail logo (a little black house)
SCWMLS - South Central Wisconsin Multiple Listing Corp. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Coldwell Banker River Valley, REALTORS - Rochester may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. Copyright 2026 South Central Wisconsin MLS Corporation All rights reserved.
This information, provided by seller, listing broker, and other parties, may not have been verified.
SCWMLS information is provided exclusively for consumers personal, non-commercial use and that it may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Last Updated: September 9, 2026 5:53 PM UTC
Information should be deemed reliable but not guaranteed, all representations are approximate, and individual verification is recommended. Copyright ©2017 All rights reserved.