Do I Need a Real Estate Agent to Sell My Home in 2024?

Due to the internet age and heavily edited reality TV home selling shows, many home sellers have been deceived into believing selling a home merely consists of placing a For Sale Sign in the yard and sitting back as the flood of buyers come pouring in. Even the founder and former CEO of ForSaleByOwner website used a Realtor to sell his home!  The Realtor sold it for more than what he was originally asking. 

Although each sell and listing is different, below are just a few of the seller/listing related tasks a Realtor is most likely to perform when representing a seller on a listing: 

WHAT I DO FOR HOME SELLERS IN 2024 (varies depending on condo, Single family residence, commercial and units) 

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, 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• Pull comps on Active, Sold, Pending, Withdrawn, Expired, and Cancelled Listings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
• Prepare Seller's Property Disclosure
• Prepare Closing Instructions
• Prepare Lead-Based Obligations of Seller
• Prepare Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
• Prepare Mold 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
• Inform Seller to have a copy of their key made for the lockbox

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 applicable. If proceeding, fill out paperwork.

• Give Seller an overview of current market conditions and projections
• Discuss Comparative Market Analysis IN DETAIL!  There is no algorthim that has in-person insights and details!
• 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
• 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
• Home Staging (if open to it)
• Have professional interior pictures taken after Staging
• Have professional exterior pictures in sunny weather
• Drone photography
• Video
• Select best pictures, crop, and download and create Google friendly descriptions and captions
• Put in yard sign and directionals
• Get extra key and install Lockbox
• 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 
• Reverse prospect all buyers for previous listings that match bedroom count and location 
• 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
• Verify HOA fees and disclosures, if applicable
• Mail copy of Contract to Seller - include MLS printout and projected Seller Net Sheet
• Social Media blitz
• Listing to www.FirstTimeHomeBuyerRealEstate.com  and third party luxury syndications if price point matches luxury criteria
• 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 Activity form
• Call Seller weekly to keep updated
• Reprint and supply flyers promptly as needed
• 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

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
• 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-approval letter
• Sign offer or prepare Counterproposal and supporting data, 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 Escrow and Title work
• Make copy of Earnest money and Contract
• Deliver check and Contract to Escrow 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
• 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
• 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 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 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 FALLS: Begin 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, POAs or other documents needed. Review closing documents and verify that all figures are correct. Deal with all last-minutes crises, make sure Seller brings keys, ID and GDOs.

• Schedule walk through with Buyer, Buyer's Agent, Seller, Vineyard Properties
• 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
• 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
• 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 hard-drive
• Print hard copy file for seller
• Store hard file at outside location
• Copy HUD-1 and put in pre-addressed envelope
• Remove sign, directionals, and brochure box
• Remove lockbox
• Reunite with Seller to deliver paperwork
• Mail out HUD-1 to Seller the following year for taxes

"What We Do For Sellers" List used with permission by colleague Mimi Foster