Important Questions
Every Buyer & Seller Should Know

Who Represents You?

Will You Make Sure I Understand What's Going To Happen Before It Actually Happens?

Do Things Ever Go Wrong?

How Much Money Will I Need and When?

Real Estate Vocabulary

Agency Vocabulary

Doug Barry, Associate Broker    LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE, INC.                      Licensed in Maryland   Direct Line 410-207-4751  Office 410-583-5700

100 (+) Things I Do For A Seller

A REALTOR® must go through extensive training to get their license. To get access to information, the agent must join a Board of REALTORS© and a Multiple-Listing Service. They have to purchase an electronic keypad and keyboxes. There is a fair amount of work involved in finding buyers and sellers.

A REALTOR© provides a variety of services. I begin working even before you hire me. When we make the appointment (or before I meet with you), I will counsel you to get together all paperwork you have on the house. Ideally we will want to look at a copy of the deed, insurance information and your tax bill. I have to check the tax records for any information that may affect a sale. I will do a thorough market analysis to give you accurate advice on the price range your home should fall into. Once you hire me as your agent, I take my responsibilities seriously. Below is a list of the services I provide for a seller.

LISTING THE PROPERTY

1. Prepare samples of marketing materials to explain my marketing plan to the seller.
2. Research tax records to verify ownership, type of ownership, tax information, loan information and key property details.
3. Check the property's current use and zoning.
4. Prepare the listing presentation.
5. Drive by comparable properties that are currently on the market or have recently sold to do a more accurate market analysis.
6. Meet with all the sellers (ideally at once, but separately if necessary) to review my marketing plan, legal requirements, help the seller price the property, go over and sign documents and let the seller know what they need to do throughout the process
7. Look through the entire property inside and out, both to help with the marketing of the property and to discover defects that might impact the sale.
8. Go back to the property to see the outside in daylight if the original appointment was at night.
9. Explain to the seller what repairs they will need to make and what they should NOT spend money and/or time on.
10. Provide the seller with a list of any service providers the seller may need for repairs to the property, if the seller needs it, through our Home Service Connections™ service.
11. Explain how to make the house and property more presentable and help the seller stage the property for showings.
12. Explain the importance of always being ready for showings to maximize the number of potential buyers.
13. Review comparable active listings so the seller and I will understand the competition.
14. Review pending sales so that we know what listing prices will generate offers.
15. Review comparable properties that have sold in the last six to eighteen months (depending on the market), so we know what properties are selling for.
16. Review expired listings so we know what listing prices will NOT generate acceptable offers.
17. Check the "days on market" for all those properties so we know what marketing time we can expect at different listing prices.
18. Explain disclosures and other legal documents required by law.
19. Explain options that sellers and buyers have for representation and how that could impact negotiations in a sale.
20. Explain to the sellers what they must disclose, what they have the option to disclose and what they should not discuss with any buyer.
21. Discuss the sellers goals to determine the ideal marketing time, price range and marketing strategy.
22. Explain and demonstrate my marketing plan to the seller.
23. Provide and review a copy of a seller's net to show what the seller will get in their pocket if the property sells at the listing price and/or the anticipated sale price (depending on the market).
24. Review, explain and sign the listing contract and other documents in the listing packet.
25. Discuss seller safety (for example, what belongings to put away and why the seller should not let anybody in without an agent and an appointment).
26. Measure all the rooms in the house.
27. Take photographs of the property inside and out at the listing appointment, and if necessary, after the property has been properly staged or during daylight hours.
28. Provide the seller with copies of all signed documents, company information and other materials that explain various aspects of the transaction and options the seller may have.
29. Place an electronic keybox on the property to allow easy access for agents and explain the safety importance of using this type and not a combo keybox.
30. Make sure the seller understands EVERYTHING and answer any questions they may have.

Next - Once The Property Is Listed

75 Things I Do For A Buyer