200 Things Real Estate Agents Do To Sell A House | Pre-Listing Tasks

Several years ago, Pat Vredevoogd-Combs, past president of the National Association of REALTORS, testified before the House Financial Services Committee on Housing to blunt government complaints about industry pricing. As part of her testimony, she submitted a list of 184 things that listing agents do in every real estate transaction.

“By all accounts,” she said, “the general public is not aware of all the services that agents provide to sellers and buyers during the course of the transaction, probably because most of the important services are performed behind the scenes.”

I created a library of video animations  inspired by that testimony before the United States Congress. The video below is the first of 11 modules of video animations based on that testimony.

(Agents mix and match scenes to create their own videos, and then add a call-to-action outro, and  some audio - music or a voiceover.).  

Here are the activities listed in that testimony to Congress.

What would you add to this?

I will add new animations to my video library to include new real estate tasks.

1. Make appointment with seller for listing presentation.
2. Send a written or e-mail confirmation of appointment and call to confirm.
3. Review appointment questions.
4. Research all comparable currently listed properties.
5. Research sales activity for past 18 months from MLS and public databases.
6. Research “average days on market” for properties similar in type, price and location.
7. Download and review property tax roll information.
8. Prepare “comparable market analysis” (CMA) to establish market value.
9. Obtain copy of subdivision plat/complex layout.
10. Research property’s ownership and deed type.
11. Research property’s public record information for lot size and dimensions.
12. Verify legal description.
13. Research property’s land use coding and deed restrictions.
14. Research property’s current use and zoning.
15. Verify legal names of owner(s) in county’s public property records.
16. Prepare listing presentation package with above materials.
17. Perform exterior “curb appeal assessment” of subject property.
18. Compile and assemble formal file on property.
19. Confirm current public schools and explain their impact on market value.
20. Review listing appointment checklist to ensure completion of all tasks.

What tasks should I add to this list (and more video animations)?