Key Reasons Why Homeowners Should Use A Realtor

Why Sellers Need a Realtor® sellingwarnerrobins.com /why-sellers-need-a-realtor/

by Anita Clark While not all inclusive, this list identifies MANY of the things your Realtor®, will do for you or on your behalf. If your real estate agent is not doing many of these things on your behalf, it may be time to discuss why he/she is not providing these services. Enjoy these 223 tips on why sellers need a Realtor®.

Pre-Listing: A lot goes in to getting ready for the initial listing appointment. After an initial phone call, we will verify City Records and previous sales, do a thorough Market Analysis, and prepare documentation. This process generally takes several hours before we even meet with a prospective client.

Make appointment with Seller for listing presentation Pull property City and tax records Pull old MLS listing, if applicable Order Owner & Encumbrance Report Research property’s current use and zoning

Research and verify legal description of property Pull comps on Active, Sold, Pending, Withdrawn, Expired, and Cancelled Listings Research “Average Days on Market” for property of this type and location Prepare Comparative Market Analysis Print Map of property and comps Prepare Agency Disclosure Prepare Listing Contract

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Prepare Seller’s Property Disclosure Prepare Closing Instructions Prepare Lead-Based Obligations of Seller Prepare Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Prepare Square Footage Disclosure Prepare Seller’s Request for Verification of Loan Information Prepare Showing Instructions Prepare Pre-Listing Packet Order delivery of Pre-Listing Packet Confirm time to meet with Seller

Listing Appointment: Meet with Seller to discuss market, pricing strategy, and options. Determine financial and time needs. Would working together be mutually beneficial? Prepare Net Proceeds for Seller. Discuss Staging of the property. If proceeding, fill out paperwork.

Give Seller an overview of current market conditions and projections Discuss Comparative Market Analysis Discuss pricing strategy based on professional judgment and market

Discuss goals with Seller to market effectively, including schedule for selling Explain role in taking calls to screen for qualified Buyers Discuss safety of lock box Discuss Agency Discuss Contract and all other disclosures Discuss availability of Home Owner’s Warranty Have Seller sign all paperwork Assist Seller with completion of Seller’s Property Disclosure form

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Discuss things that need to be done in home Staging Packet to Seller Get loan payoff information Show Centralized Showing Service to Seller Have Seller choose preferred flyer template Get copies of leases, if applicable Ask for floor plan, upgrades, special features, detailed list of amenities

After Listing Appointment: Place sign, lockbox, directionals. Take measurements and pictures (after Staging). Verify all information and enter into MLS. Design flyers, do all internet input to multiple sources, design eProperties site, make web page, show property to prospective Buyers, discuss property with other agents, Broker Open, if applicable.

Copies of all documents Prepare Seller Net Sheet based on List price Measure interior rooms Measure exterior of home Take interior pictures after Staging Take exterior pictures in good weather Select best pictures, crop, and download Put in yard sign and directionals Get extra key and install Lockbox

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Enter listing to MLS and verify all information Download best pictures to MLS Download disclosures to MLS Make copies of disclosures Leave several copies of disclosures at property Check MLS for Matching Buyers Design flyers for Matching Buyers to mail to Realtors Input Seller into Management System Assist Seller in Staging home for maximum price and quickest sale Make Showing Sheet for front desk Design mailers and postcards to Realtors Design and print flyers Design “Just Listed” cards and “Pick Your Neighbors” Mail Realtor, Neighbor, and Matching flyers/cards Design, print, and deliver flyers Compile list of completed repairs and maintenance items Seller has done

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Verify HOA fees and disclosures, if applicable Mail copy of Contract to Seller – include MLS printout and projected Seller Net Sheet Call in HOW, if applicable Listing to www.Realtor.com Listing to Warner Robins Real Estate Input listing into Centralized Showing Input listing into eProperties and all related information Make “Special Features” cards Calculate average utility usage for last twelve months Set any number of showings Return all phone calls – weekdays and weekends Verify with Seller after first few that showing instructions are being followed Add daily activities to eContracts Call Seller weekly to keep updated Reprint and supply flyers promptly as needed Input all showings into Centralized Showing and eContracts Discuss feedback regularly with Seller Discuss Open House Show house any number of times to prospective Buyers If interested, get Buyer pre-qualified Do CMA every four weeks Call Seller with strategy if CMA different Amend/Extend if monetary change Change MLS, if applicable If price changed, send out email BLAST to previous Agents who showed home Reprint flyers Deliver flyers Blog about listing Utilize social media to market listing Use CoroPlast signage Create videos of listing

Contract Negotiations: Thoroughly review and discuss all offers, review Buyer’s financial qualifications and details of offer, prepare Net Sheet for Seller with offered numbers, negotiate and renegotiate as many times as it takes, sign offer or counter.

Receive and thoroughly review all offers submitted Pre-negotiate with other Agent before writing, if applicable

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Discuss Buyer’s financial qualifications, terms, and times Discuss exclusions, dates, etc. with other Agent Review Contract Addendum thoroughly Evaluate offer(s) and prepare a “Net Sheet” on each offer for Seller Discuss offer with Seller Negotiate the offer and options Get pre-qualification letter Sign offer or prepare Counterproposal, if necessary Prepare and convey any counteroffers, acceptances, or amendments Acceptance Deadline Time Renegotiate however many times necessary and finalize Make applicable copies Convey signed copies to other Agent

After Contract Signed by All Parties: Make sure all Contracts and disclosures signed properly. Deliver Earnest Money and Contract to Title Company, order Title Commitment. Order payoff from mortgage company, meet all deadlines, coordinate inspections and appraisal, explain moving and closing issues with Seller.

Order Title work Make copy of Earnest money and Contract Deliver check and Contract to Title Company Notate dates on calendar Send date sheet to Seller Do necessary paperwork for unusual conditions If Seller and Buyer both our clients, do Change of Status Notice Copies of leases and damage deposit receipts, if applicable Order payoff

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Seller’s Property Disclosure Deadline Inspection Objection Deadline Resolution Deadline Property Insurance Objection Deadline Change status on MLS and print to verify Review all paperwork for signatures Get all necessary signatures If mail-out, get instructions and addresses Notify Title Company of Mail out If POA needed, get original from Title Company Get POA signed and notarized “Under Contract” info letter to Seller Signed copies of Contract to Seller Remind Seller to notify Utility Company to stop service and do a “final read” Discuss with Seller advantages/disadvantages to continued showings Discuss what happens if other offers come in between Contract and Closing Change showing instructions in Centralized Showing Referral agent needed for Sellers new location?

Resolve any Title Disputes Resolve any Off Record Matters Deliver unrecorded property information to Buyer Have Seller notify Utilities, phone, cable, etc.

Mail “The Moving Guide” with Change-of-address forms to Seller Set up closing time

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Call Buyer’s Agent and coordinate closing time Verify closing date and time and make all parties aware Mail time-verification of closing and directions to Seller Assist in solving any Title problems (boundary disputes, easements, etc.)

Assist in obtaining Death Certificates, if applicable Cleaning needs (e.g. carpet, kitchen, etc.) upon move-out Discuss mover and time-frame for move-out with Seller

Home Inspection: Make arrangements with all parties to coordinate inspection. Thoroughly review inspection report with Seller.

Discuss items, willingness and advisability to fix, estimate of costs. Make arrangements with appropriate contractors and vendors to have items fixed.

Set up Inspection Coordinate time with Seller, Agents, Buyer, Inspector Review Notice of Unsatisfactory Conditions with Seller Help Seller negotiate Inspection Objections Help Seller with repair estimates or a credit at closing Copy of Inspection Notice to file Verify prior to closing that all repairs have been made Get copies of repair receipts Fax copies of receipts to other Agent

The Home Appraisal:

Do current Market Analysis on property value. Coordinate and meet with Appraiser. Make sure appraisal done in timely manner. Options if appraisal is low. Any appraisal conditions? Coordinate fixing items, if noted. Schedule final

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inspection.

Set up appraisal Coordinate time with Seller, Agents, Buyer, Appraiser Do current CMA for appraiser Meet appraiser with CMA If VA, make sure CRV ordered and completed Track Appraisal Deadline Verify appraisal completed and satisfactory If appraisal low, discuss options with Seller Discuss any conditions on appraisal with Seller Schedule final inspection on appraisal conditions, if applicable Verify all conditions met prior to closing

Tracking the Loan Process: Track the Buyer’s loan progress with other Agent. Make sure all dates and deadlines are met. Keep Seller apprised of current situation. If Contract falls, begin from the beginning. Release of Earnest Money if within Contract dates.

All paperwork to Lender Make contact with Lender and verify Buyer information Loan Application Deadline Buyer’s Credit Information Deadline Disapproval of Buyer’s Credit Information Deadline Existing Loan Documents Deadline Existing Loan Documents Objection Deadline Loan Transfer Approval Deadline Contact Lender weekly to ensure processing of loan approval is on track Notify Seller of loan approval

If Contract Fails: Start from the beginning. Sign all documentation to terminate, and Release of Earnest Money if within Contract dates. Reinstate on MLS and all internet sites. Reissue flyers and start marketing process again.

Fill out all necessary paperwork Re-input into MLS Sign Release of Earnest Money forms

Closing Preparations and Duties: Schedule a walk-thru with all parties. Confirm that all dates are being met, confirm if mail-out or other documents are needed. Review closing documents and verify that all figures are correct. Deal with all last-minutes crises, make sure Seller brings keys and ID.

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Schedule walk through with Buyer, Buyer’s Agent, Seller Verify with Seller how proceeds of sale being received If mail-out, verify correct mailing address Confirm mail-out with Closer Title Deadline Title Objection Deadline

Survey Deadline Survey Objection Deadline Document Request Deadline CIC Documents Objection Deadline Off-Record Matters Deadline Off-Record Matters Objection Deadline Right of First Refusal Deadline Property Insurance Objection Deadline Coordinate Possession Date and Possession Time Prepare disbursement authorizations Notify Title Company of any Amend/Extends or date/money changes Last minute bills and receipts faxed to Closer including HOW, if applicable Make sure Closer has all addenda, correct price, rents, or applicable credits Discuss closing figures with Closer Check final figures for accuracy Call Seller and discuss final figures 24 hours prior to closing Remind Seller to bring picture ID, keys, door openers, receipts, etc.

If not receiving proceeds at closing, discuss Seller’s need for Cashier’s Check

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Deal with all last-minute crises Check file for any unsigned documents Coordinate this closing with Seller’s next purchase and resolve timing issues Have a “no surprise” closing so that Seller receives proceeds at closing

Post Sale: Enter the sales data to MLS and records for County. Remove signs, directionals, and Lockbox. Make sure file is completed and have it copied to disc. Change MLS to SOLD Change MLS to “SOLD” Enter sales data for County Records Scan entire file to disc Store hard file at outside location Copy HUD-1 and put in pre-addressed envelope Remove sign, directionals, and brochure box Remove lockbox Mail out disc of all paperwork to Seller Mail out HUD-1 to Seller the following year for taxes These 223 tips on why sellers need a Realtor® should give you plenty of food for thought on what type of agent you want to hire, what services they will provide, and the quality of effort they will put into selling your home. Thanks to Mimi Foster, a long-time Realtor who specializes in Victorian homes in Downtown Colorado Springs, for her creativity in putting together much of this list.

Happy Home Selling!

223 Reasons Why Sellers Need a Realtor® About Anita Clark Realtor Anita Clark has written 803 posts on this blog.

by Anita Clark Anita is a residential Real Estate Agent in Warner Robins Georgia, with Coldwell Banker SSK Realtors (478) 953-8595, aiding buyers and sellers with all their real estate questions on her Warner Robins blog.

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