It's More Than Just a Sign On The Lawn

I’ve decided to take on the challenge of writing about what I do as a Real Estate professional for my Seller clients.

First Visit

I start by viewing the home and providing some suggestions on things that can be done to prepare the home. Suggesting things like de-cluttering, furniture placement, wall de-scuffing (magic eraser time), maybe some painting and even changing a fixture, caulking the tub etc. After I’ve probed and found out what this Seller is willing and able to do.

Price Is Key

Prepare a thorough evaluation of the property and present it to the clients explain the current market conditions.

I know one of the most important things is to get the price right. Plan a strategy as a team, myself and the Sellers to attain their goal.

Taking the time to write up a great remarks section which will be instrumental in bringing in the agents who are instrumental in passing on my listing to their clients.

After signing up all the appropriate paper work and advising the client how to best deal with showings and how the process will go including the process of presenting future offers. Giving advice on putting away valuables, de-personalizing, leaving window coverings open while they are at work etc. Do any research necessary regarding zoning, things happening in the area, etc. Different for every property.

Marketing and the Other Stuff

Arrange to get the sign put up (my sign has a rider to one of my websites where the listing will be posted as well as a rider with a company text number to access info on the listing.)

Install a lock box,

Arrange the professional photographer who will come after the stager if one is used.

As for the Stager, personally, instead of paying for a consultation that may or may not be of any benefit, I have my stager come in and I work with her to stage the home. We work together using mostly the seller items plus some props she brings along. We move furniture, stage tables, rearrange decorative items, remake beds sometimes with items we find in the linen closet. I prepare my clients beforehand so they are not shocked or don’t feel invaded. (this is important). I do this for some properties and even ones you wouldn’t think need staging, sometimes vacant properties. I’ve even been know to bring items from home for a vacant property.

So stager first, then photographer, then the listing is commenced.

The photographer provides a video tour which is attached to MLS and Realtor.ca and pushed online, or if no photographer I build my own slide show and link to the listing on MLS which in turns goes to Realtor.ca

I post on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, ActiveRain and my two websites. It also gets posted to company websites.

www.homesforsaleinhamilton.com and www.HamiltonRealEstateSales.com 

From there the listing gets syndicated to several sites and I manually post it to others.

I produce feature sheets for display in the home as well as in some local banks where I have a relationship the the mortgage specialist.

I network in my office and promote the listing to my co-workers. It is also sent out via all page to our 3 offices.

I field calls and questions from prospective buyers and pre-qualify them. I show the property to buyers and follow up with them.

Follow Up

I follow up personally on every showing, not via email because I believe I can learn much more from speaking directly with the agents and I offer the same courtesy back to agents who call me for feedback. I then provide the feedback to my Sellers.

The Extra Mile

I do open house's or an agent's open house when desired or needed. For agents open house I've dropped off up to 350 mini feature sheets to local offices promoting the open house. I've provided lunch and a draw to entice attendance. I'll call other agents with listings in the area to see if they want to have one on the same day to encourage the agents to come by.

When holding a public open house I promote it in the office as well as on my websites, on OpenhHouses.ca and in newspaper advertising. I've pulled out the broom, Windex and picked up dirty laundry prior to the start of an open house.

I've offered to be present and walk the dog for daytime showings when a Seller had a skittish Bull dog who needed to be taken out during visits. The Sellers worked 1 hour away from home and it was winter. There is a story about this one that I'll post about later on.

The Offer

When an offer is registered I notify agents who have recently shown that I haven't connected with to let them know.

I present the offer and assist my clients all the while dealing with the buyer's agent in a respectfull and co-operative way. I represent my clients but remind them that we are all trying to attain the same goal. I find in this type of environment everything goes better from offer to closing.

I keep in touch with the buyer's agent during the conditional period and assist in any way I can.

I keep a list of interested agents and buyers in case conditions are not removed.

I install a sold sign and advise my clients of their next steps. Keeping in touch up to and after closing.

If they are also buyers I would simultaneously be taking care of their buying needs.

I'm always staying informed on what is happening in my local real estate market and what is happening in my city to better serve my clients.