As you prepare to sell your house and interview prospective agents, you may find yourself wondering: just what exactly does a real estate agent do, anyway?
Sure, you see the lawn signs and the MLS listings, but do you know all the things we do to earn our commission?
At a basic level, a good real estate agent will save you time and money. I know the community, what buyers want in a house, how to negotiate house prices and how to close the deal. I will take care of all that and a whole lot more. In every real estate transaction, the number of things to do, know and remember can be daunting. Listed below are the ways I will help you get the best price for your home, all the while saving you time and worry.
I pledge to do the following when listing your home (where applicable):
1. Order a complete property profile of your house
2. Perform a professional “Competitive Housing Market Analysis”
3. Review “Total Market Overview” with sellers
4. Create a customized market plan that targets your most likely buyers
5. Develop a specialized pricing strategy for your property
6. Calculate an estimate of your net proceeds from the sale
7. Tour your property from the buyer’s standpoint
8. Conduct a complete staging analysis of your house
9. Provide instructions to help your house sell at a higher price
10. Review the interior of the house to maximize attractiveness
11. Integrate photos into marketing materials
12. Obtain copies of permits relative to the property
13. Accurately measure the house
14. Develop advertising copy for marketing
15. Place house description in the Multiple Listing System (MLS listings)
16. Provide a “Real Estate Relationships Disclosure”
17. Assist with the completion of an exclusive listing agreement
18. Assist in completion of the “Agency Agreement Addendum”
19. Review “Competitive Housing Market Analysis”
20. Explain commission splits between listing and selling brokers
21. Provide marketing guarantee to seller
22. Review benefits and drawbacks of using real estate lock box
23. Prepare seller’s disclosure statement
24. Place professional For Sale sign on property, as authorized
25. Directly contact other real estate agents with qualified buyers about the property
26. Respond to real estate agent questions about the property
27. Respond to buyer questions about the property
28. Develop a convenient open house schedule with owner or tenants
29. Hold public open house viewings as warranted
30. Take photos of the property for online listings
31. Conduct door-knocking campaign in neighbourhood, as appropriate
32. Prepare just-listed postcards for potential buyers
33. Follow up with potential buyers from open house
34. Arrange for a tour of the property for all real estate agents in the area
35. Obtain other real estate agents’ opinions of home pricing strategy
36. Provide weekly status report to seller by phone or in person
37. Review local news sources for changes in neighbourhood
38. Review the financial impact of any purchase offers with seller
39. Negotiate and write counter offers, as necessary
40. Make sure escrow is open in a timely manner
41. Make sure initial deposit is placed into escrow in a timely manner
42. Make sure deposit increases are placed into escrow on time
43. Make sure buyer applies for a loan within contracted period
44. Provide access to property for inspectors, as necessary
45. Make sure seller places all necessary documents
46. Assist seller in transferring utilities to home buyer
47. Assist seller in moving to a new residence
48. Provide keys to home buyer
49. Review closing statement with sellers
50. Deliver proceeds cheque to sellers
So If you are thinking about selling your home and would like an experienced, compitent agent working for you, call or email me today.
