FOR HOME SELLERS

Not necessarily in this order but before putting a home on the market a good agent will:

1. Order a preliminary title report to make sure there are no liens on the property.
2. Verify the information on the property tax records.
3. Find out why the seller wants to sell. Perhaps they don’t want to but feel they need to. An agent might be able to help the seller stay in the home.
4. Put together all the information about the property for listing and advertising.
5. Ask the seller to provide all disclosures.
6. Order a sellers home warranty.
7. Explain the agent’s fiduciary responsibility to the seller.
8. Get current market conditions for the area to recommend a price for the home.
9. Walk through the home noting all the pluses and minuses.
10. Make recommendations for the presentation of the home: yard work, cleaning, de-cluttering, removing unused items and staging.
11. Photograph the property for immediate distribution.
12. Schedule a professional photo and video tour company for professional marketing.
    Prepare flyer's, handouts and mailers.
13. Install, or have installed, a Realtor® sign.
14. Contact the Home Owner’s Association and gets a copy of the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R). Find out if there are any unpaid dues or special assessments, outstanding or pending. Find out the amount in the associations reserve account. List everything that is paid for from the association dues.
15. Put together a “Home Book” that includes a picture of the home, area and school information, city information with contacts, contact information for emergencies, utilities and area businesses. It has a place for warranties and notes from the seller to the potential buyer.

Now for the Marketing:

1. After the Realtor® sign is in place, make sure the flyer box is full and a sufficient supply is available for the seller.
2. Put the property listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
3. Be at the appointment for the professional photo/video tour company.
   Update the MLS with the pro photos.
4. Market the property on the Internet (numerous search engines and blogs) with a link to the property tour.
5. Determine whether or not an “open house” is appropriate.
6. There are several ways to have an open house. Everything from combining it with a garage sale to hosting a cocktail party.
7. Put the home on a Realtor® or Broker tour.
   Mail information to local businesses.
8. BE AVAILABLE

If the home is vacant:

1. Maintain the inside and outside of the home.
2. Arrange for a home sitter or someone to stage the home if necessary.
3. Make sure buyers, agents, inspectors and workers have access to necessary parts of the home.