While this could equally well apply to Buyers, this post focuses on Sellers. This was originally posted back in 2007 - and seems as relevant today as back then!
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Every Listing Broker/Agent should know what they are looking for in a Seller.
I'm not referring to the standard prequalifications regarding pricing the home correctly, needing to move, etc.
I'm talking about:
1. Is the Seller willing to do their part in making sure the home is ready for show-time while it's on the market?
2. Is the Seller willing to conduct the transaction in a way that fits with your transaction management process?
Huh?? The Seller has to do things my way?
Well...no...but...you need to decide if you want to do business with a Seller who wants to do things their way.
That inevitably leads to a "tug of war" rather than everyone pulling on the rope in the same direction!
The Seller retains the services of an agent presumably because they want the agent to use their expertise and experience to get the home under contract AND to successfully close escrow.
Why then would a Seller who really wants a successful 
transaction be unwilling to do things the way their "trusted advisor" counsels them to do it?
If the Seller is unwilling to make sure the home is ready for show-time - that says to me they don't care about Buyers getting a bad "first impression", nor do they care that translates into no offers or lower offers from such Buyers.
We use an Addendum to the Listing Agreement that spells
out with clarity exactly what the Seller agrees to do to make the property "Ready for Showtime", and that until those activities are complete, the property will not go "Active" on the market.
Click below to see more information on this topic at:
Selling A Home Is A Team Sport
If the Seller is unwilling to conduct the transaction congruent to your transaction management process - that says to me they are either not up to speed with technology and/or won't take advantage of transaction management tools that expedite and streamline the process, and enhance the accuracy of the process. (Remember - this was written in 2007!)
For example - we use Docusign for electronic signatures.
Using this tool allows us to:
- get documents signed essentially instantly no matter where we are and where the Seller is
- avoid the document quality degradation that results from multiple faxing
- save the time it would take to coordinate a face to face meeting if a Seller doesn't have access to a fax machine (we used to give Sellers a brand new fax machine before the days of Docusign)
- ensure all locations on the document(s) needing initials, signatures and dates are initialled, signed and dated
- Save money and time versus the "traditional" methods of obtaining signatures
If a Seller only wants to deal with an agent who will drive to their home with each and every document needing a signature, I can say with confidence that they won't be found in our Listing inventory!
Hire your Sellers with care....make sure they are a good fit 
for how you effectively conduct business...and avoid engaging in a relationship which will likely result in disagreement and animosity.
What say you?
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