Special offer

43 Steps REALTORs® do to sell a house

By
Real Estate Agent with United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com

43 Steps REALTORs® do to sell a house from start to finish.  I figure since I already told you the 33 Steps REALTORs® do to complete a Purchase .  I needed to ensure you knew what we do once we have a house to sell. I am primarily a Buyer’s Agent, however I will represent a seller. Of course, we all have our own way of how its done, so my peers please add to this if you will.  Keep in mind this is for an ordinary sale, not if your home has to be sold as a SHORT SALE. Sometimes I might do a step before the other, but in general it’s how it’s done.  Remember in real estate TIME is of the essence. Certain steps MUST be completed by a certain time frame. So here it is...



1.  Schedule appt - preferably by phone (ask for information, (i.e., why selling, payoff amount on loan, who is on deed, title company)

2.  Prepare Exclusive Right to Sell Listing, Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), Seller’s Net Sheet and my plan of action

3.  Client meeting, view home, review Exclusive Right to Sell Listing, discuss preparation of home, establish method of communication, receive Retainer Fee

4.  Deposit Retainer Check

5.  Setup Home Warranty (if applicable)

6.  Order HOA/Condo Docs

7.  Take photos

8.  Install Lockbox and sign

9.  Submit listing to MLS

10.  Implement my plan of action which includes an ACTIVERAIN Blog

11.  Client follow-up (as many times necessary, all offers will be delivered to seller as soon as possible)

12.  Ratified contract delivered to seller, deposit EMD (Earnest Money Deposit)

13.  Verify Lender receipt of contract

14.  Verify Closing attorney receipt of contract

15.  Call Lender to verify appraisal is ordered (if needed), and as many times necessary

16.  Verify title is ordered with settlement attorney

17.  Schedule settlement date and time

18. Remind seller all utilities must stay on, to include pilot is lit and water is on.

19.  Call Lender - verify loan is processed (call many
times)



20.  Form 100 - removing Financing Contingency

21.  Addendum removing Home Inspection

22.  Request copy of Termite Report

23.  Addendum removing Radon Contingency (if applicable)

24.  Update Buyer’s agent on contract status

25.  Call Lender for Loan status

26.  Verify appraisal is completed

27.  Final day to get HOA/Condo docs to Buyer

28.  Call Lender for Loan status

29.  Verify title is clear

30.  Verify Lender has everything needed for Loan approval

31. Advise seller to disconnect utilities 2 days after settlement

32.  Get copy of Well and Septic Report (if applicable)

33.  Verify loan is OUT of underwriting

34.  Final lender verification/clear to close

35.  Verify property is ready for final walk-thru

36.  Confirm settlement date and time

37.  Confirm time of walk-thru

38. Conduct final walk thru

39. Seller briefing for settlement, (review HUD-1)

40.  Settlement

41. Funds Disbursed from title company

42.  Refund retainer fee to seller

43.  Follow-up Call/Ask for referrals


43 Steps REALTORs® do to sell a house
Posted by

 

 

Serving all areas of Prince William, Fairfax, Stafford, Alexandria, Arlington and Spotyslvania Counties. Guiding you through the process of purchasing or selling residential property.                 

                                                                                                                   

 Cheryl Thomson, Realtor ® | 703.216.5635 | cheryltee47@gmail.com | Jobin Realty | 9327 Main Street, Manassas, VA 20110

 

            

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

                                                                          

Comments(112)

DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Great job, Cheryl!   I'm wondering about your retainer fee.  We don't collect for that but it sounds interesting!  Funny how much differently things are done from one state to the next.

May 22, 2012 12:53 PM
Gina Tufano
Ask Gina & Company with Pearson Smith Realty - Sterling, VA
Ask Gina & Company, Northern Virginia Real Estate

No wonder why I'm tired after a day at the office - so many steps to just sell a house! ;) I hope the Woodbridge market is holding strong for you!

May 22, 2012 02:00 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Cheryl, great post and checklist!  Most people do not realize all the work it takes to do it right!

May 22, 2012 07:47 PM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Thank you dear John for making your comment so colorful:)

Thanks Gene.  I appreciate it and yes it is needed

Hi DeeDee, Thank you...its right there on our agreements to fill in, the retainer fee, its either its loved or hated..I choose it because I'm worth it:)

Hi Gina, and thanks for your comment I appreciate it

 

 

May 22, 2012 10:45 PM
Mike&Marie Edwards
Estes Village properties & Plains Real Estate in Greely/Windsor - Fort Collins, CO
"We Bring You Home To Colorado"

What a great post! Our clients don't always realize what goes on behind the curtain.

May 23, 2012 05:24 AM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Bob...I agree to some extent they don't, however, many pretend but they got to know it is not so easy

Mike & Marie...that I certainly agree with

May 23, 2012 07:36 AM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Hi Michelle...your cracking me up right now...:)

May 24, 2012 12:32 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

This is a very thorough explanation of the process we go through to sell put a home on the market.  Potential Northern Virginia home sellers would be well served to use your expertise.

May 25, 2012 04:04 AM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Jane, this blog generated more responses than I would imagined.  Thank you for stopping by and commenting, I appreciate it.

May 25, 2012 04:36 AM
Joey Fenwick
Self-Employed, 1st Time & move up buyers,FHA, VA conventiona - Phoenix, AZ
Fenwick Team FHA, VA & Jumbo Loans, Phoenix, Scott

As a lender and former Realtor, I do believe IF you would put on a formal letterhead checklist that you can hand a potential seller, you would get fewer questions about your fee and help dispel the notion the public has that you don't do much for your income. That goes for a buyer's agent too. You need a checklist and when either start complaining about the fee, then ask WHICH of the 43+ items on the list would you like for me to NOT do? The choice is yours....

Same when a buyer starts complaining about not finding the right house or why you cant drop what you are doing and show them the wrong house right away! Give them a list of what all you do and knowing what area, what style house, and what amenities they REALLY want will help eliminate some of their footwork and yours too. OF course, it helps to know the inventory.

 

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend and honor our service folks

May 25, 2012 06:50 AM
Joey Fenwick
Self-Employed, 1st Time & move up buyers,FHA, VA conventiona - Phoenix, AZ
Fenwick Team FHA, VA & Jumbo Loans, Phoenix, Scott

Cheryl,

I forgt to mention that I was born in Quantico, lived in Dumfries and then Dad built a house in Woodbridge, graduated from a Fairfax high school (W T Woodson) got married in Springfield, had first baby at Bethesda Naval Hospital and then headed West when my husband got out of Marine Corps. Yes, I am also a Marine Brat of a 30 officer, deceased now. And my daughter is married to a Marine who just spent 10 years stationed in Okinawa Japan and are now at Quantico, VA and bought a house in Stafford. IF they decide to move when he retires in December of this year, I would love to be able to refer them to you to sell their house for them.

 

Sincerely,

Jeanne Fenwick-Wall

jfenwickwall@gmail.com

May 25, 2012 06:55 AM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Jeanne.  I sent you an email...thank you so much for your comments!

May 25, 2012 07:50 AM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

Cheryl,  bravo on putting the steps down on paper that 'good' Realtors® do as listing agents.  This sure will help those that think what we do is easy; it shows the other side of the story!  Congrats on the well deserved  3 Featured Posts

P
amela

May 30, 2012 09:07 PM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Hi Lee and Pamela.  Its unbelieveable I'm still receiving comments...I thank you so very much!

May 31, 2012 12:43 AM
Brenda Swigert
Keller Williams Associate Partners Realty - West Chester, OH
CRS, e-PRO, SRES

Great post. Kept it until I had time to read it.

Jul 22, 2012 03:41 AM
Mark Loewenberg
KW of the Palm Beaches - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
KW 561-214-0370

yes we do work a lot and there are so many ducks to line up to keep the deals together

Oct 29, 2012 11:36 AM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Wow Mark! Still receiving comments, I so thank you for taking the time to visit.  I appreciate it. Consumers don't really know unless we break it down for them.

Oct 29, 2012 11:58 AM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

This is a good list and is an accurate representation of what we do.

Nov 01, 2012 02:09 PM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Thank you Wayne...can't believe I am still receiving comments. I appreciate it!

Nov 03, 2012 01:35 AM
Amanda Stone
Long & Foster Realtors - Gainesville, VA

Just found this on Pinterest-- thanks for sharing Cheryl!

Mar 18, 2015 03:16 AM