There are so many things that a successful real estate agency has to do in order to help sell their clients home or property. The primary goal of a listing agent is to help get the most money from the sale of the home for their client. Tasks can range from home staging and decluttering to playing psychologist with all the emotional rollecoasters that go with listing your house up for sale. Here are some of the things that a listing real estate agency has to do to successfully sell your home for top dollar:
- Lists the property for sale to the public, often on an MLS, in addition to any other methods.
- Provides the seller with a real property condition disclosure (if required by law) and other necessary forms.
- Keeps the client abreast of the rapid changes in the real estate industry, swings in market conditions, and the availability and demand for property inventory in the area.
- Prepares paperwork describing the property for advertising, pamphlets, open houses, etc.
- Places a “For Sale” sign on the property indicating how to contact the real estate office and agent.
- advertises the property, which may include social media and digital marketing in addition to paper advertising.
- Holds an open house to show the property.
- Serves as a contact available to answer any questions about the property and schedule showing appointments.
- Ensures that buyers are pre-screened and financially qualified to buy the property. (Sellers should be aware that the underwriter for any real estate mortgage loan is the final say.)
- Negotiates price on behalf of the sellers.
- Prepares legal documentation or a “purchase and sale agreement” on how the transaction will proceed.
- Acts as a fiduciary for the seller, which may include preparing a standard real estate purchase contract.
- Holds an earnest payment check in escrow from the buyer(s) until the closing if necessary. In many states, the closing is the meeting between the buyer and seller where the property is transferred and the title is conveyed by a deed. In other states, especially those in the West, closings take place during a defined escrow period when buyers and sellers each sign the appropriate papers transferring title, but do not meet each other.
Negotiates on their client’s behalf when a property inspection is complete. Often times having to get estimates for repairs.
