Selling
Value of a Full Service Realtor ®
Todd Williamson’s personal and professional commitment is to provide the highest quality service during the course of a real estate transaction and to ensure that a seller and buyer are brought together in an agreement that provides each with a “win” that is fair and equitable. Listed here are nearly 200 typical actions, research steps, procedures, commitments and processes in a successful real estate transaction that I provide as a full service Realtor ®.
Pre-Listing
- Make appointment with seller for listing presentation.
- Send seller a written or e-mail confirmation of appointment and call to confirm.
- Review pre-appointment questions.
- Research all comparable, currently listed properties.
- Research sales activity for past 12 months from MLS and public records databases.
- Research “Average Days on Market” for this property type, price range & location.
- Download and review property tax roll information.
- Obtain copy of subdivision plat/complex lay-out.
- Research property’s ownership and deed type.
- Research property’s public record information for lot size and dimensions.
- Research and verify legal description.
- Research property’s land use coding and deed restrictions.
- Research property’s current use and zoning.
- Verify legal names of owner(s) in county’s public property records.
- Prepare listing presentation package with above materials and information
- Perform exterior “Curb Appeal Assessment” of subject property.
- Compile and assemble formal file on property.
- Confirm current public schools and important neighborhood data.
- Review listing appointment checklist to ensure that all steps and actions have been completed.
Listing Appointments
- Give seller an overview of current market conditions and projections.
- Review agent and company credentials and accomplishments in the market.
- Present company’s profile and position or “niche” in the marketplace.
- Prepare “Comparable Market Analysis” (CMA) to establish fair market value.
- Present CMA results to seller including comparables, solds, current listings and expireds.
- Offer pricing strategy based on professional judgment and interpretation of market conditions.
- Discuss goals with seller to market effectively.
- Explain market power and benefits of Multiple Listing Service.
- Explain market power of Johnlscott.com website.
- Explain the work the brokerage and agent do “behind the scenes” and agent’s availability schedule.
- Explain agent’s role in taking calls to screen for qualified buyers.
- Present and discuss strategic master marketing plan.
- Explain different agency relationships and determine seller’s preference.
- Review and explain all clauses in Listing Contract and Addendum.
Once Property is Under Listing Agreement
- Take professional photos for print and internet marketing.
- Review current title information.
- Measure overall and heated square footage.
- Measure interior room sizes.
- Confirm lot size via owner’s copy of certified survey, if available.
- Note any and all unrecorded property lines, agreements, easements.
- Obtain house plans, if applicable and available.
- Review house plans and make copy.
- Order plat map for retention in property’s listing file.
- Prepare showing instructions for buyers’ agents and agree on showing time window with seller.
- Obtain current mortgage loan(s) information: companies and loan account numbers.
- Verify current loan information with lender(s).
- Check assumability of loan(s) and any special requirements.
- Discuss possible buyer financing alternatives and options with seller.
- Review current appraisal, if available.
- Identify Home Owner Association manager, if applicable.
- Verify Home Owner Association fees with manager: mandatory or option and current annual fee.
- Order copy of Homeowner Association bylaws, if applicable.
- Research utility companies and their account #’s, contact info, balances and yearly expenses.
- Verify security system, current term of service and whether owned or leased.
- Ascertain need for lead-based paint disclosure.
- Prepare detailed list of property amenities and assess market impact.
- Prepare detailed list of property’s “Inclusions and Conveyances with Sale.”
- Compile list of completed repairs and maintenance items.
- Send “Vacancy Checklist” to seller if property is vacant.
- Explain benefits of home owner warranty to seller.
- Assist sellers with completion and submission of home owner warranty application.
- When received, place home owner warranty in property file for conveyance at time of sale.
- Have extra key made for lockbox.
- Verify if property has rental units involved. And, if so:
- ? make copies of all leases for retention in listing file.
- ? verify all rents and deposits.
- ? inform tenants of listing and discuss how showings will be handled.
- Arrange for installation of a yard sign.
- Assist seller with completion of Seller’s Disclosure form.
- “New Listing Checklist” completed.
- Review results of curb appeal assessment with seller and provide suggestions to improve salability.
- Review results of interior décor assessment and suggest changes to shorten time on market.
Entering Property in Multiple Listing Service Database
- Prepare MLS Profile Sheet – agent is responsible for “quality control” and accuracy of listing data.
- Enter property data from profile sheet into MLS listing database.
- Proofread MLS database listing for accuracy, including proper placement in mapping function.
- Upload photos to MLS for use on multiple real estate websites.
- Add property to company’s active listing list.
- Provide seller with signed copies of Listing Agreement and MLS Profile Sheet Data Form.
Marketing the Listing (all at agent’s expense)
- Create professional print and Internet ads with seller’s input.
- Advertise in agreed upon mediums such as Seattle Times, Homes & Land Magazine, Quality Street publication, Craig’s List and others.
- Prepare Buyers Package including Seller Disclosure, Legal Description, Lead-Based Paint & Title.
- Coordinate showing with owners, tenants, and other Realtors. Return all calls, weekends and evenings included. (30 received calls per week on average)
- Install electronic lock box and program with agreed-upon showing time windows.
- Prepare mailing and contact list.
- Generate mail-merge letters to contact list.
- Order “Just Listed” labels and reports.
- Print and mail out “Just Listed” notice to all neighborhood residents. (at least 200)
- Prepare flyers and feedback faxes.
- Review comparable MLS listings regularly to ensure property remains competitive in price, terms, conditions and availability.
- Prepare property marketing brochure for seller’s review.
- Arrange for printing or copying of supply of marketing brochures or fliers.
- Place marketing brochures in all company agent mail boxes.
- Upload listing to company and agent Internet site, if applicable.
- Advise network of referral program of listing.
- Provide marketing data to buyers coming through international relocation networks.
- Provide marketing data to buyers coming from referral network.
- Provide “Special Feature” cards for marketing, if applicable.
- Submit ads to company’s participating Internet real estate sites.
- Schedule and advertise a catered Brokers Open to introduce listing to other agents.
- Schedule and advertise Public Open House.
- Price changes conveyed promptly to all Internet groups.
- Reprint/supply brochures promptly, as needed.
- Loan information reviewed and updated in MLS as required.
- Feedback calls, e-mails or faxes sent to buyers’ agents after showings.
- Review weekly Market Study.
- Discuss feedback from showing agents with seller to determine if changes will accelerate the sale.
- Place regular weekly update calls to seller to discuss marketing and pricing.
- Promptly enter price changes in MLS listing database.
The Offer and Contract
- Receive and review all Purchase & Sale Agreements submitted by buyers or buyers’ agents.
- Evaluate offer(s) and prepare a “net sheet” on each for the owner for comparison purposes.
- Counsel seller on offers. Explain merits and weakness of each component of each offer.
- Contact buyers’ agents to review buyer’s qualification and discuss offer.
- Confirm that buyer’s agent has complete Buyer Package.
- Confirm buyer is pre-qualified by calling loan officer.
- Obtain pre-qualification letter on buyer from loan officer.
- Negotiate all offers on seller’s behalf, setting time limit for loan approval and closing date.
- Prepare and convey any counteroffers, acceptance or amendments to buyer’s agent.
- Fax copies of contract and all addendums to closing attorney, escrow and title.
- Record and promptly deposit buyer’s earnest money in escrow account.
- Disseminate “Under-Contract Showing Restrictions” as seller requires.
- Deliver copies of fully signed Purchase & Sale Agreement to seller.
- Fax/deliver copies of Purchase & Sale Agreement selling agent.
- Fax copies of Purchase and Sale Agreement to lender.
- Provide copies of signed Purchase & Sale Agreement to office file.
- Advise seller in handling additional offers to purchase submitted between contract and closing.
- Change status in MLS to “STI” or “Pending.”
- Review buyer’s credit report results – advise seller of best and worst case scenarios.
- Provide credit report information to seller if property will be seller-financed.
- Assist buyer with obtaining financing, if applicable and follow up as necessary.
- Coordinate with lender.
Home Inspections
- Coordinate buyer’s professional home inspection with seller.
- Review home inspector’s report.
- Negotiate inspection terms and requests on seller’s behalf.
- Explain seller’s responsibilities with respect to loan limits and interpret any clauses in the contract.
- Ensure seller’s compliance with Inspection terms and agreements.
- Assist seller in hiring trustworthy contractors to perform any required repairs.
- Negotiate payment and oversee completion of all required repairs on seller’s behalf.
Tracking the Loan Process
- Schedule appraisal.
- Provide comparable sales used in the market pricing to appraiser.
- Follow up on appraisal.
- Assist seller in questioning appraisal report if necessary.
- Confirm verifications of deposit and buyer’s employment have been returned.
- Follow loan processing through to the underwriter.
- Request buyer to waive financing contingency.
- Contact lender weekly to ensure processing is on track.
- Relay final approval of buyer’s loan application to seller.
Closing Preparation and Duties
- Contract is signed by all parties.
- Coordinate closing process with buyer’s agent and lender.
- Update closing forms and files.
- Ensure all parties have all forms and information needed to close the sale.
- Select location where closing will be held.
- Confirm closing date and time and notify all parties.
- Assist in solving any title problems (boundary disputes, easements, etc).
- Work with buyer’s agent in scheduling and conducting buyer’s final walk-thru prior to closing.
- Research all tax, HOA, utility and other applicable prorations.
- Request final closing figures from closing agent.
- Receive and carefully review closing figures to ensure accuracy of preparation.
- Forward verified closing figures to buyer’s agent.
- Request copy of closing documents from closing agent.
- Confirm buyer and buyer’s agent has received title insurance commitment.
- Provide Home Owners Warranty for availability at closing.
- Review all closing documents carefully for errors.
- Review documents with closing agent.
- Coordinate this closing with seller’s next purchase and resolve any timing problems.
- Have a “no surprises” closing and confirm net proceeds payment to seller at closing.
- Change MLS listing status to “Sold.” Enter sale date, price, terms and sale information.
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