Not only people, but listings, have only one chance to make a first impression. How often do you see a new listing without photographs or with missing remarks or information? That's just the tip of the iceberg.

My team is always telling me - we do so much more for a listing now than we did years ago - we can't get a new listing into the MLS the day after you list it, and have it be professional and right and complete. They're right. Take photos, for example - sometimes you get it right the first time; other times you need to go back once or twice - the sun wasn't in the best location due to the time of day you took the photos, there was a setting off in the camera and everything was too light or dark.  

Now we ask our sellers to sign and authorize that the property will not go into the MLS until x date (usually a week later) and also sign that we can put it on our personal website and that we and other agents can show it prior to that time, and under the terms of the agreement. That accomplishes a few goals, the main one being to make that first impression a Wow!.

When the listing is entered into the MLS, it has 10 photos with it (properly arranged since only the first 6 go on to realtor.com) and is linked to a Visual Tour. There is a link to the property website www.1276GreatPropertySt.com which is up and live with property information, neighborhood information, maps, survey, property disclosures, perhaps a floor plan, etc. The MLS has links to the property disclosure and to the pre-offer package. The property is on our website and several others. The sign (which has a 3 day lead time) is up the same day as the MLS goes live, and our CBS code-protected lockbox is on the property with the key in it. The two sided color flyer is ready, in the box on the sign post, on the property website, on our website, and available to other agents. The MLS remarks are well thought out rather than slapped together. The property is listed on our "pink sheets" which every team member carries with them, which has all the information on the property that is generally asked, all is concise form in Excel. We've researched the zoning, obtained the property card to check for outstanding permits, and permitted work. We've checked with the HOA or the condo association, know the fees and what they cover, know any pending assessments, have any buyer approval forms required and the time frame for getting them approved. We've checked out whether the trees behind the house are truly on a conservation area, or whether it may be a future development. Copies of the keys have been made and tested. Those are just the things that come immediately to mind, without looking at our checklist.  So, when our listing goes live on the MLS, it's complete and we have the answers to the questions that agents and buyers may ask. When you put the listing in the MLS just to get it there, and add the other information by dribs and drabs, it's no longer new, it's now when excited buyers are waiting for it.

We put it on our website as a featured home, giving the price and the date that it will become available.

We call our favorite agents, the ones who have buyers and are selling, who are ethical and dependable to work with, so that they can think of suitable buyers and get in touch with them. Our sellers are better off if we can work with another agent that we know has done their homework and is more likely to get to a timely and smooth closing. They appreciate the head start and can coordinate their schedules. If they're going to be out of town they can make arrangements with an associate or with us to show the home to their client. 

Many MLS systems allow their agents to set up a "Flash" for their prospects, so that each morning the prospect will receive new listings - let's take advantage of giving them the best First Impression, with all the photos and information they'd like to have. If you're a professional, show it.  

Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent serving St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.