Here’s a look at all the things — big and small — that an agent who is a REALTOR® may do to help clients when buying and selling a home.
PRE-LISTING ACTIVITIES
| 1. Make appointment with seller for listing presentation | 2. Send seller a written or e-mail confirmation of listing appointment and call to confirm |
| 3. Review pre-appointment questions | 4. Research all comparable currently listed properties |
| 5. Research sales activity from Local MLS Broker Marketplaces and public records databases | 6. Research Average Days on Market for property of this type, price range, and location |
| 7. Download and review property tax roll/assessor information | 8. Prepare preliminary Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) to establish fair market value |
| 9. Obtain copy of subdivision plat/complex lay-out | 10. Research property’s ownership and deed type |
| 11. Research property’s public record information for lot size and dimensions | 12. Research and verify legal description |
| 13. Research property’s land use coding and deed restrictions | 14. Research property’s current use and zoning |
| 15. Verify legal names of owner(s) in county’s public property records | 16. Prepare listing presentation package with above materials |
| 17. Perform exterior Curb Appeal Assessment of subject property | 18. Compile a formal file on property |
| 19. Confirm current public schools and explain impact of schools on market value | 20. Review listing appointment checklist to ensure all steps and actions are complete |
| 21. Review Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) Report from Township for all permitted records | 22. Add client into your database |
LISTING APPOINTMENT PRESENTATION
| 23. Give seller an overview of current market conditions and projections | 24. Tour property |
| 25. Review agent’s and company’s credentials and accomplishments in the market | 26. Present company’s profile and position or niche in the marketplace |
| 27. Present preliminary CMA to seller, including comparable properties, sold properties, current listings, and expired listings | 28. Offer pricing strategy with updates to CMA based on tour of home and updates, upgrades professional judgment, and current market conditions |
| 29. Discuss goals with seller to market effectively | 30. Explain market power and benefits of Local MLS Broker Marketplaces |
| 31. Explain market power of web marketing, IDX and REALTOR.com | 32. Explain the work you do behind the scenes and your availability on weekends |
| 33. Explain role in screening for qualified buyers and protect seller from curiosity seekers | 34. Present and discuss strategic master marketing plan |
| 35. Explain transaction/agency brokerage relationship | 36. Review and explain all clauses in listing contract and addendum, then obtain seller’s signature once property is under listing agreement |
| 37. Review current title information | 38. Gather square footage/measure overall and heated square footage as required |
| 39. Measure interior room sizes | 40. Confirm lot size via owner’s copy of certified survey, if available |
| 41. Note all unrecorded property liens, agreements, easements | 42. Obtain house plans, if applicable and available |
| 43. Review house plans and make copy | 44. Prepare showing instructions for buyers’ agents and showing times with seller |
| 45. Discuss possible buyer financing alternatives and options with seller | 46. Review current appraisal if available |
| 47. Identify Homeowner Association manager if applicable | 48. Verify Homeowner Association Fees with manager—mandatory or optional, plus fees |
| 49. Order copy of Homeowner Association bylaws, if applicable | 50. Research electricity availability, supplier’s name, and phone number |
| 51. Have utility companies provide average utility usage from last 12 months of bills | 52. Research and verify city sewer/septic tank system |
| 53. Calculate average water fees or rates from last 12 months of bills | 54. Confirm well status, depth and output from Well Report |
| 55. Natural Gas: Research/verify availability, supplier’s name, and phone number | 56. Verify security system, current terms of service and whether owned or leased |
| 57. Verify if seller has transferable Termite Bond | 58. Ascertain need for lead-based paint disclosure |
| 59. Prepare detailed list of property amenities and assess market impact | 60. Prepare detailed list of property’s inclusions and conveyances with sale |
| 61. Compile list of completed repairs and maintenance items | 61. Compile list of completed repairs and maintenance items |
| 62. Send vacancy checklist to seller if property is vacant and register the property with the township if it is vacant or a rental home | 63. Explain benefits of Homeowner Warranty to seller |
| 64. Assist sellers with completion and submission of Homeowner Warranty Application | 65. Place Homeowner Warranty in property file for conveyance at time of sale |
| 66. Have extra key made for lockbox and one for your file | 67. Verify if property has rental units involved. |
| 68. If the property does have rental units, make copies of all leases for retention in listing file | 69. Verify all rents and deposits |
| 70. Inform tenants of listing and discuss how showings will be handled | 71. Arrange for installation of yard sign |
| 72. Complete new listing checklist | 73. Review curb appeal assessment and provide suggestions to improve saleability |
| 74. Review interior décor assessment and suggest changes to shorten time on market | 75. Load listing into transaction management software program |
| 76. Prepare Local MLS Broker Marketplaces Profile Sheet | 77. Enter property data from Profile Sheet into Local MLS Broker Marketplaces Database |
| 78. Proofread Local MLS Broker Marketplaces database listing for accuracy— including proper placement in map | 79. Add property to company’s active listings list |
| 80. Provide seller copies of the listing agreement and Local MLS Broker Marketplaces Profile Sheet within 48 hours or within the time period of Local MLS Broker Marketplace guidelines | 81. Take additional photos for upload into Local MLS Broker Marketplaces and use in fliers |
| 82. Create print and internet ads with seller’s input | 83. Coordinate showings with owners, tenants, and other agents. |
| 84. Return all calls | 85. Install electronic lock box if authorized. Program agreed-to showing times |
| 86. Prepare mailing and contact list | 87. Generate mail-merge letters to contact list |
| 88. Order Just Listed labels and reports | 89. Prepare fliers and feedback reports |
| 90. Review comparable Local MLS Broker Marketplaces regularly to ensure property remains competitive | 91. Prepare property marketing brochure for seller’s review |
| 92. Arrange for printing or copying of marketing brochures or fliers | 93. Place marketing brochures in all company agent mailboxes |
| 94. Upload listing to company and agent Internet site, if applicable | 95. Mail out Just Listed notice to all neighborhood residents |
| 96. Advise network referral program of listing | 97. Provide marketing data to buyers through international relocation network buyers |
| 98. Provide marketing data to buyers coming from referral network | 99. Provide Special Feature cards for marketing, if applicable |
| 100. Submit ads to company’s participating internet real estate sites | 101. Price changes conveyed promptly to all internet groups |
| 102. Reprint/supply brochures promptly as needed | 103. Feedback e-mails sent to buyers’ agents after showings |
| 104.Review weekly market study | 105. Discuss with sellers any feedback from showings to determine if changes are needed |
| 106. Set up marketing reports on showing-time application and company website | 107. Place regular weekly update calls to seller to discuss marketing and pricing |
| 108. Promptly enter price changes in the Local MLS Broker Marketplaces database |
OFFERS
| 109. Receive and review all Offer to Purchase contracts submitted by buyers’ agents. | 110. Evaluate offer(s) and prepare a net sheet for the owner for comparison purposes |
| 111. Explain merits and weakness of each offer to sellers | 112. Contact buyers’ agents to review buyer’s qualifications and discuss offer |
| 113. Deliver Seller’s Disclosure to buyer upon request and prior to offer if possible. Upload to the Local MLS Broker Marketplaces additional documents at time of listing | 114. Confirm buyer is pre-qualified by calling loan officer |
| 115. Obtain buyers’ pre-qualification letter from loan officer if not submitted with offer | 116. Negotiate all offers per seller’s direction on seller’s behalf, set time limit for loan approval and closing |
| 117. Prepare and convey counteroffers, acceptance or amendments to buyer’s agent | 118. Create excel spreadsheets for easy review on multiple bids |
| 119. Email or send copies of contract and all addendum’s to the closing attorney or title company | 120. When Offer to Purchase contract is accepted, deliver to buyer’s agent |
CONTRACTS
| 121. Record and promptly deposit buyer’s earnest money in escrow account | 122. Disseminate under-contract showing restrictions as seller requests |
| 123. Deliver copies of fully signed Offer to Purchase contract to seller | 124. Deliver copies of Offer to Purchase contract to lender |
| 125. Provide copies of signed Offer to Purchase contract for office file | 126. Advise seller of additional offers submitted between contract and closing |
| 127. Change status in Local MLS Broker Marketplaces to Sale Pending | 128. Update transaction management program to show Sale Pending |
| 129. Provide credit report information to seller if property will be sellerfinanced | 130. Assist buyer with obtaining financing, if applicable, and follow-up as necessary |
| 131. Coordinate with lender on discount points being locked in with dates |
INSPECTIONS
| 132. Deliver unrecorded property information to buyer | 133. Order septic system inspection, if applicable |
| 134. Receive and review septic system report, and assess any possible impact on sale | 135. Deliver copy of septic system inspection report lender and buyer |
| 136. Deliver Well Flow Test Report copies to lender and buyer, and property listing file | 137. Verify termite inspection ordered |
| 138. Verify mold inspection ordered, if required | 139. Confirm verifications of deposit and buyer’s employment have been returned |
| 140.Follow loan processing through to the underwriter | 141. Add lender and other vendors to your management program so agents, buyer, and seller can track progress of sale |
| 142. Contact lender weekly to ensure processing is on track | 143. Relay final approval of buyer’s loan application to seller |
HOME INSPECTIONS
| 144.Coordinate with seller for buyer’s professional home inspection | 145. Review home inspector’s report |
| 146. Enter completion into transaction management tracking program | 147. Explain seller’s responsibilities, and recommend an attorney interpret any clauses in the contract |
| 148.Ensure seller’s compliance with Home Inspection Clause requirements | 149. Assist seller with identifying contractors to perform any required repairs |
| 150. Negotiate payment, and oversee all required repairs on seller’s behalf, if needed |
THE APPRAISAL
| 151. Schedule appraisal | 152. Provide to appraiser any comparable sales used in market pricing | 153. Follow-up on appraisal |
PROCESSING FOR CLOSING
| 154. Enter completion into transaction management program | 155. Assist seller in questioning appraisal report if it seems too low |
| 156. Get contract signed by all parties | 157. Coordinate closing process with buyer’s agent and lender |
| 158. Update closing forms and files | 159. Ensure all parties have all forms and information needed to close the sale |
| 160. Select location where closing will be held | 161. Confirm closing date and time, and notify all parties |
| 162. Assist in solving any title problems or in obtaining death certificates | 163. Work with buyer’s agent in scheduling buyer’s final walk-thru prior to closing |
| 164. Double check all tax, homeowners’ association dues, utility, and applicable prorations | 165. Request final closing figures from closing agent (attorney or title company) |
| 166. Receive and carefully review closing figures to ensure accuracy of preparation | 167. Confirm buyer and buyer’s agent have received title insurance commitment |
| 168. Provide homeowners warranty for availability at closing | 169. Forward closing documents to absentee seller as requested |
| 170. Review documents with closing agent (attorney) | 171. Coordinate closing with seller’s next purchase, and resolve any timing problems |
| 172. Have a no-surprises closing so seller receives a net-proceeds check at closing | 173. Refer sellers to one of the best agents at their destination, if applicable |
| 174. Change Local MLS Broker Marketplaces status to Sold. Enter sale date, price, selling broker, etc. |
FOLLOW UP AFTER CLOSING
| 175. Share the warranty paperwork for claims in the future | 176. Attempt to clarify and resolve any conflicts about repairs if buyer is not satisfied |
| 177. Respond to any calls and provide any information required from office files | 178. If a rental, verify all deposits and prorated rents are reflected accurately on the closing statement |
| 179. Close out listing in your management program |
