Agents ~ MLS Information 101
You have worked really hard convincing your seller you are the best possible person to sell their home. You did something to impress your seller and the sign is on the property. Congratulations! Now it is time to sell the property! What is your game plan?
I would assume the next step will be to place the home on the local Multiple Listing Service. Perhaps it is 
your first time placing a property on the MLS. Your local association should have some great tutorials on how to get started. I am sure a fellow agent or your broker would be more than happy to assist you.
Maybe you have done it a hundred times before, you are an old pro and don't need to be told how to do your job. Then I guess you can stop reading at this point.
But if you want to know an insider tip on how to get maximum exposure on your listing, listen up. We are going back to basics here.
- Accurate Information ~ I came across a listing the other day with the incorrect property address. Seriously?
- Pictures ~ The one picture you "borrowed" from the last time the property was on the market does not cut it. More buyers are looking for homes on the Internet than ever before. Have some crappy pictures up there and see how many times it gets looked over. Have numerous photos and make sure they represent the property.
- Know the property ~ You can not sell something you know nothing about. This information will help sell the property! Believe it or not, people actually DO read the information on the MLS. What do you mean you don't know if the property has air conditioning? Or if the project is FHA approved? Do the appliances convey? You don't remember if the property had carpet or hardwood floors?
- Status ~ Each MLS service has different status categories and meanings. Make sure the status is accurate in the MLS. If you have an offer on a short sale that has been submitted to the bank and awaiting approval, the correct status here in San Diego would be Contingent. The property is no longer active at this point. Once it has closed, you have a certain number of days to change it! DO IT! It is not that difficult.
- Showing Instructions~ Buyers really do want to see the houses before purchasing. Make sure the showing instructions are clear. If the seller wants 24 hour notice, let us know. Don't put "Leave message and go" if that is not really what the seller has instructed you. I got to a house the other day with this specific showing instruction, buyers in tow. We had left a message, did not hear back and went after seeing another property. When we arrived the seller said "I specifically told my agent we needed two hours notice, my baby is sleeping and I can't have you in".
- Lock Box Information ~ Accurate lock box information is "key" in showing a property. If you have cleverly placed the lockbox on the meter on the side of the house, please let me know so I can find it quickly and easily and do not look like chicken who has lost their head. If it is a combo box, please provide the code in the MLS. If I have to call you for the code and you never return my call, I can not help you sell the house!
These are just some basic tips to help you sell this listing! Each one of these items has prevented me from showing a home to a potential buyer in the last few weeks.
You have taken the listing with a promise to your seller that you will put your best foot forward to sell their property. They have put their faith in your abilities, don't let them down! This goes for REO listings as well!
Hey, we are all playing on the same playground. Wouldn't it be best if we can all learn how to play well with each other? Learning MLS Information 101 will help keep the ball inbounds and get to the ultimate GOAL! Selling this house!
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