You have the wonderful opportunity to work with another agent on the selling of your listing. Simple courtesies and added little touches can make you shine as a professional and be the Realtor that agents enjoy and look forward to working with on a transaction.  Making the experience seamless and kept smoothly flowing is the goal.

No matter whom you represent the single most outstanding element of communication can make or break the perception of the experience.  Keep each other well informed during the process and the communication starts on day one from the offer submission.  Some tips for listing agents to help build the relationship:

•  Thank the buyer's agent for showing the property and opportunity to work with him/her.  No matter if the offer is just out of the ball park low be gracious and non judgmental.  Remember you are the neutral party than is suppose to remove emotion and get into business.

•  Let the buyer's agent know when you have made contact with the sellers and when you will be meeting with your clients to present the offer.  If your clients are out of town, explain to the agent the circumstances and in what manner they will be able to respond. 

•  After you discuss the contract offer either give your response to the agent or inform him the clients need to consider, investigate something, etc. and when a response is expected. 

•  Best method to return a counter offer or contract if not hand delivered is via email.  With an email you can check the quality of the scan and account that all pages are present.  It is hit and misses with fax machines.  If you email or fax be sure to follow up with a phone call message that the information was sent.  You can never trust that things came through properly so validate it will save a lot of misunderstanding and grief.

•  All deadline on the contract need to be observed - providing HOA resale certificates, providing survey, etc.

•  After you are under contract give your sellers an information sheet to fill out regarding the utility providers, contact numbers, any vendors they use i.e. lawn service, pool company, etc.  Have them state when trash pick up day is for the home.  Return the filled out information to the agent along with any instructions on how the buyers can sign up on-line for water, trash, etc, as well as websites for driver's license address change, post office delivery change notification. 

•  Give your sellers a reminder list of To Do Items to include dedicating a drawer/location for any home manuals, keys, garage openers, etc. Remind your sellers to arrange for a special trash pick up prior to the time the buyers will get possession of the home and to try to have the trash receptacles clean of debris.  Remind them that the yard needs to look groomed and interior to sparkle. 

•  Receipts for any repairs need to be sent to the agent.  Email is the best source for sending and documentation.

•  Inform the buyer's agent when the seller has made termination of utility to take place.

•  Make sure that you have discussed arrangements of how the buyer will receive the key to the home.

•  After the property closes, write a handwritten thank you note of appreciation to agent.  

Key points to remember.  Always be pleasant, professional in responses and refrain from emotional dialog. Most experiences are judged on how great the communication so make this a point to email, phone call and keep all informed.  Your goal, a seamless and great experience and to be the agent selling agents love to bring their clients to your listings.