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The Critical Role of a
REALTOR® in the Real Estate Transaction |
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| Surveys show that many homeowners and homebuyers are not
aware of the true value a REALTOR® provides during the course of a real
estate transaction. At the same time, regrettably, REALTORS® have
generally assumed that the expertise, professional knowledge and just
plain hard work that go into bringing about a successful transaction
were understood and appreciated. Before signing a Listing Agreement or
otherwise engaging the services of a REALTOR® and agreeing to compensate
them, homeowners should understand exactly what services will, or will
not, be provided. Many of the most important services and steps are performed behind the scenes by either the REALTOR® or the brokerage staff and traditionally have been viewed simply as part of their professional responsibilities to the client. But, without them, the transaction could be placed in jeopardy. This publication seeks to close that gap. Why Use A REALTOR®? |
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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 for past 18 months from MLS and public records databases 6 Research "Average Days on Market" for this property of this type, price range and location 7 Download and review property tax roll information 8 Prepare "Comparable Market Analysis" (CMA) or Market Equity Assessment to establish fair market value 9 Obtain copy of subdivision plat/complex lay-out 10 Research property's ownership & deed type 11 Research property's public record information for lot size & 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 and assemble 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 have been completed
Listing Appointment
Presentation 22 Review agent's and company's credentials and accomplishments in the market 23 Present company's profile and position or "niche" in the marketplace 24 Present CMA Results To Seller, including Comparables, Solds, Current Listings & Expireds 25 Offer pricing strategy based on professional judgment and interpretation of current market conditions 26 Discuss Goals With Seller To Market Effectively 27 Explain market power and benefits of Multiple Listing Service 28 Explain market power of web marketing, IDX and REALTOR.com 29 Explain the work the brokerage and agent do "behind the scenes" and agent's availability on weekends 30 Explain agent's role in taking calls to screen for qualified buyers and protect seller from curiosity seekers 31 Present and discuss strategic master marketing plan 32 Explain different agency relationships and determine seller's preference 33 Review and explain all clauses in Listing Contract & Addendum and obtain seller's signature
Once Property is Under Listing
Agreement 35 Measure overall and heated square footage 36 Measure interior room sizes 37 Confirm lot size via owner's copy of certified survey, if available 38 Note any and all unrecorded property lines, agreements, easements 39 Obtain house plans, if applicable and available 40 Review house plans and make copy 41 Order plat map for retention in property's listing file 42 Prepare showing instructions for buyers' agents and agree on showing time window with seller 43 Obtain current mortgage loan(s) information: companies and & loan account numbers 44 Verify current loan information with lender(s) 45 Check assumability of loan(s) and any special requirements 46 Discuss possible buyer financing alternatives and options with seller 47 Review current appraisal if available 48 Identify Home Owner Association manager if applicable 49 Verify Home Owner Association Fees with manager - mandatory or optional and current annual fee 50 Order copy of Homeowner Association bylaws, if applicable 51 Research electricity availability and supplier's name and phone number 52 Calculate average utility usage from last 12 months of bills 53 Research and verify city sewer/septic tank system 54 Water System: Calculate average water fees or rates from last 12 months of bills ) 55 Well Water: Confirm well status, depth and output from Well Report 56 Natural Gas: Research/verify availability and supplier's name and phone number 57 Verify security system, current term of service and whether owned or leased 58 Verify if seller has transferable Termite Bond 59 Ascertain need for lead-based paint disclosure 60 Prepare detailed list of property amenities and assess market impact 61 Prepare detailed list of property's "Inclusions & Conveyances with Sale" 62 Compile list of completed repairs and maintenance items 63 Send "Vacancy Checklist" to seller if property is vacant 64 Explain benefits of Home Owner Warranty to seller 65 Assist sellers with completion and submission of Home Owner Warranty Application 66 When received, place Home Owner Warranty in property file for conveyance at time of sale 67 Have extra key made for lockbox 68 Verify if property has rental units involved. And if so: 69 Make copies of all leases for retention in listing file 70 Verify all rents & deposits 71 Inform tenants of listing and discuss how showings will be handled 72 Arrange for installation of yard sign 73 Assist seller with completion of Seller's Disclosure form 74 "New Listing Checklist" Completed 75 Review results of Curb Appeal Assessment with seller and provide suggestions to improve salability 76 Review results of Interior Décor Assessment and suggest changes to shorten time on market 77 Load listing into transaction management software program
Entering Property in Multiple
Listing Service Database 79 Enter property data from Profile Sheet into MLS Listing Database 80 Proofread MLS database listing for accuracy - including proper placement in mapping function 81 Add property to company's Active Listings list 82 Provide seller with signed copies of Listing Agreement and MLS Profile Sheet Data Form within 48 hours 83 Take additional photos for upload into MLS and use in flyers. Discuss efficacy of panoramic photography
Marketing The Listing 85 Coordinate showings with owners, tenants, and other Realtors®. Return all calls - weekends included 86 Install electronic lock box if authorized by owner. Program with agreed-upon showing time windows 87 Prepare mailing and contact list 88 Generate mail-merge letters to contact list 89 Order “Just Listed” labels & reports 90 Prepare flyers & feedback faxes 91 Review comparable MLS listings regularly to ensure property remains competitive in price, terms, conditions and availability 92 Prepare property marketing brochure for seller's review 93 Arrange for printing or copying of supply of marketing brochures or fliers 94 Place marketing brochures in all company agent mail boxes 95 Upload listing to company and agent Internet site, if applicable 96 Mail Out "Just Listed" notice to all neighborhood residents 97 Advise Network Referral Program of listing 98 Provide marketing data to buyers coming through international relocation networks 99 Provide marketing data to buyers coming from referral network 100 Provide "Special Feature" cards for marketing, if applicable 101 Submit ads to company's participating Internet real estate sites 102 Price changes conveyed promptly to all Internet groups 103 Reprint/supply brochures promptly as needed 104 Loan information reviewed and updated in MLS as required 105 Feedback e-mails/faxes sent to buyers' agents after showings 106 Review weekly Market Study 107 Discuss feedback from showing agents with seller to determine if changes will accelerate the sale 108 Place regular weekly update calls to seller to discuss marketing & pricing 109 Promptly enter price changes in MLS listing database
The Offer and Contract 110 Evaluate offer(s) and prepare a "net sheet" on each for the owner for comparison purposes 111 Counsel seller on offers. Explain merits and weakness of each component of each offer 112 Contact buyers' agents to review buyer's qualifications and discuss offer 113 Fax/deliver Seller's Disclosure to buyer's agent or buyer upon request and prior to offer if possible 114 Confirm buyer is pre-qualified by calling Loan Officer 115 Obtain pre-qualification letter on buyer from Loan Officer 116 Negotiate all offers on seller's behalf, setting time limit for loan approval and closing date 117 Prepare and convey any counteroffers, acceptance or amendments to buyer's agent 118 Fax copies of contract and all addendums to closing attorney or title company 119 When Offer to Purchase Contract is accepted and signed by seller, deliver to buyer's agent 120 Record and promptly deposit buyer's earnest money in escrow account. 121 Disseminate "Under-Contract Showing Restrictions" as seller requests 122 Deliver copies of fully signed Offer to Purchase contract to seller 123 Fax/deliver copies of Offer to Purchase contract to Selling Agent 133 Fax copies of Offer to Purchase contract to lender 124 Provide copies of signed Offer to Purchase contract for office file 125 Advise seller in handling additional offers to purchase submitted between contract and closing 126 Change status in MLS to "Sale Pending" 127 Update transaction management program to show "Sale Pending" 128 Review buyer's credit report results -- Advise seller of worst and best case scenarios 129 Provide credit report information to seller if property will be seller-financed 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 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 & buyer 136 Deliver Well Flow Test Report copies to lender & buyer and property listing file 137 Verify termite inspection ordered 138 Verify mold inspection ordered, if required
Tracking the Loan Process 140 Follow Loan Processing Through To The Underwriter 141 Add lender and other vendors to transaction 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 Inspection 145 Review home inspector's report 146 Enter completion into transaction management tracking software program 147 Explain seller's responsibilities with respect to loan limits and interpret any clauses in the contract 148 Ensure seller's compliance with Home Inspection Clause requirements 149 Recommend or assist seller with identifying and negotiating with trustworthy contractors to performn any required repairs 150 Negotiate payment and oversee completion of all required repairs on seller's behalf, if needed
The Appraisal 154 Provide comparable sales used in market pricing to Appraiser 152 Follow-Up On Appraisal 151 Enter completion into transaction management program 153 Assist seller in questioning appraisal report if it seems too low
Closing Preparations and Duties 155 Coordinate closing process with buyer's agent and lender 156 Update closing forms & files 157 Ensure all parties have all forms and information needed to close the sale 158 Select location where closing will be held 159 Confirm closing date and time and notify all parties 160 Assist in solving any title problems (boundary disputes, easements, etc) or in obtaining Death Certificates 161 Work with buyer's agent in scheduling and conducting buyer's Final Walk-Thru prior to closing 172 Research all tax, HOA, utility and other applicable prorations 162 Request final closing figures from closing agent (attorney or title company) 163 Receive & carefully review closing figures to ensure accuracy of preparation 164 Forward verified closing figures to buyer's agent 165 Request copy of closing documents from closing agent 166 Confirm buyer and buyer's agent have received title insurance commitment 167 Provide "Home Owners Warranty" for availability at closing 168 Review all closing documents carefully for errors 169 Forward closing documents to absentee seller as requested 170 Review documents with closing agent (attorney) 171 Provide earnest money deposit check from escrow account to closing agent 173 Coordinate this closing with seller's next purchase and resolve any timing problems 174 Have a "no surprises" closing so that seller receives a net proceeds check at closing 175 Refer sellers to one of the best agents at their destination, if applicable 176 Change MLS status to Sold. Enter sale date, price, selling broker and agent's ID numbers, etc. 177 Close out listing in transaction management program
Follow Up After Closing 179 Attempt to clarify and resolve any conflicts about repairs if buyer is not satisfied 180 Respond to any follow-on calls and provide any additional information required from office files.
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/ RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE / NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION / RELOCATION / FIRST-TIME BUYERS / INVESTMENT PROPERTIES /
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