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What do you REALLY do for your clients??? I mean REALLY....

Do you make a list of all the things you do for your clients, whether buyers or sellers - or make a full list of how much money you actually spend on every little thing you do? Sit down and really think about this - next time you go for a listing appointment, you will remember your self worth - not to mention you can make a list to show your clients how much work you actually do! They may offer you more! lol I have a list started, do you have anything to add to it?

This is my list for sellign homes (incomplete):

Prepare A Comprehensive Market Analysis

Present Expect More - Full Service Home Marketing System

Saleable Enhancement Suggestions - "Dress Your Home For Success"

Make A List Of Home Features And Benefits

Ask Seller For Deed, Survey & Back Title

Verify Tax Information, Assessments, Lot Size

Explain Nationwide Referral Network

Coldwell Banker Home Protection Plan

Seller Fill Out Disclosure Statement

Cendant Mobility Relocation Assistance

Introduce Concierge Services - Seller & Buyer Benefits

Obtain School Information - Locations And District

Complete Filling Out Of All The Listing Forms

Write Ads and advertising in Newspaper & Internet

Make Copies Of Listing Forms - One To Seller

Put Home On Market

Enter New Listing Into MLS

Prepare General Information On The Neighborhood

Transcribe Information To MLS Data Sheet

Help stage the house or hire a staging expert

Take Photos Of Interior & Exterior Of The Home

Yard Sign Installation

Install Lock Box

Order Virtual Tour

Put Home On Web Sites With Photos & Virtual Tours

Use Photos For Brochures & e-brochures

Prepare Color Property Flyers

Order 4-Ways To Buy From Coldwell Banker Mortgage

Office Caravan to preview new listing

Notify Cendant Mobility of listing

Notify Referral Network of new listing

Updesk calls regarding new listing

Lock Box Printout

Schedule Office & Broker Tour

Target Mail "Just Listed"

Target Mail To Top Producers

Notify the offices of Coldwell Banker NJ of new listing

Brokers Open House - MLS Notification

Sunday Public Open Houses twice p/month, invitation to MLS Offices & agents

Personal invitation to Real Estate Agents with Merrill Flyer & Listing

Qualify Buyers & Establish Potential Financing

Continually Present To or Call Seller With Marketing Activity Report

Present All Sales Contracts (Offers)

Discuss Possibilities Of Unacceptable Offers

Follow up with agents who have shown the home

Respond To Questions From Sellers & Buyers

Represent All Counter Offers

Review Substance Of All Sales Contracts

Make Sure All Parties Sign Accepted Documents

Check On Return Of Appraisal

Attend Home Inspection

Attend walk through

Notify All Parties Of Loan Approval

Communicate With Attorneys

Negotiate Acceptable Closing Date

Explain Addendums To Sales Contract

Respond To Seller On What Is Needed To Close

Remind Seller To Call Concierge Service As Needed

Assist with Homeowners Insurance

Discuss Closing Costs

Attend The Closing

Respond To Buyer/Seller Questions

Send Thank You Notes - Lender, Title Company, Agents

Phone Seller After Possession - Check On Moving

Phone Buyers After Possession

Utilize Concierge Division For All Buyer & Seller Needs After Closing

Welcome To Your New Home!

Now to work on the buyer's list - it could prove useful in keeping them loyal!

Posted by Jane E. Haas on 04/15/2007 02:22 AM

Comments (26)

buyers, sellers, worth, marketing, staging, real estate, realtor, mortgage, appraisal, followup, closing, listing

Post is included in group: RE Systems Integration
Post is included in group: Real Estate Referral Program

26 Comments on What do you REALLY do for your clients??? I mean REALLY....

APR

2007

Jane,

Thanks for the list. My list had similiar items but there was many that I did not have. Thanks much.

DId you make one up for buyers? I'm going to work on that tomorrow. I want them to know how much work we really do for them and why they should stick with one agent. I think that is especially important right now.

I have one for buyers, but it is really Long!

I'll get back with you on it.

Oh, by the way Jane, I love your pic in front of the sign...very sharp! ;)

Jane, How do you have time for all this, you have to time block that is all I have to say.

Brilliant Jane, thank you. I need to use this with FSBOs.

Bob - you'll notice most of my posting is done really late at night - i'm a night owl - my brain doesn't stop until I can get a few ideas out! lol

Toya - thank you! I'm actually a professional photographer - I just photographed myself infront of a white backdrop, so I could layer it in front of what ever I want!

Rick - yes, I think this may surprise the FSBOs!

Jane

As a former real estate paralegal I cannot tell you all the times I have argued with clients because they would say the realtor does not do anything but show up the day of closing to collect their check. People are really clueless with regard to HOW MUCH work goes into listing and selling a home.

I have had many years in this field, from the real estate paralegal end to the mortgage processing end (I did it all) I can only tell you that until the deal closes EVERYONE involved is working their tails off. Clients do not realize how much goes on behind the scenes.

I think this an excellent list and your clients are sure getting the best when they get you....

Phyllis Pafumi

I wouldn't mind getting a list from an attorney and mortgage rep as to what they do as well - I hear people complain that they get paid too much as well!

Trust me - it's the same with photography - people complain they don't know how to take pictures, but they think that its so easy for a photographer to go in and take pics that they shouldn't get paid for their expertise. Well, the equipment, insuranance, training, and most of all - TIME involved after the photo is taken - well, we don't get paid enough! lol

I think anyone in any profession would take offense at being accused of being paid too much since people can't really see what they are doing.

APR

2007

Jane,

That was a great primer on some of the things we do. All for 5-6 percent! Whew, if they only knew what we can put into our work. Guess it's up to us to inform them. Your list is dynamite. Thanks.

About the photography, on another post here I have some gigantic pictures of a home and wondered how to reduce the size? I know I need to read Krystal Krafts tutorial again. Also, what do you think would be a good camera for interior home shots? Kodak v505 or something else? Keep up the informative work and the recipes.

Thanks! =D

As far as the image resizing - go to my page and check out my blog - I just wrote one called Digital Image Tips that talks exactly about this sort of thing - I tried to make sense of resolutions!

Great list! I am printing it out as we speak to remind myself and others of what responsibility we have as Realtors.
Thanks for the reminder.

Troy Heffner

Jane... interesting list, even though I am not a realtor. I would be more interested in your buyer's list. thanks

jeff belonger

Wow that was comprehensive! And people wonder what we do for our commissions.......

APR

2007

I am with Coldwell Banker Hartwig in Lancaster, Ca. I really appreciate your post. I just emailed it to myself to print it. THank you for the help. Earl

With the increasing pressure to lower fees, it's more and more important to be able to educate our prospects, clients and the public as to what we actually do to earn our living. Good job with your list.

Ohhh, I forgot to add, bake treats for Brokers Open Houses! I remembered this as I was adding a new recipe to the brokers open house recipes group! lol After all, it is more money out of pocket, as well as time!

Im glad to see how thurough you are im sure your clients are too

My list has diff items and is not as long being a mortgage guy

DOMINICK GACCINO

First Suffolk Mortgage Corp

MAY

2007

Jane

Have you forgotten anything. I amy making a new check list.

Thank you.

Ken

I remember seeing a list a while ago 200 Things your agent does for you. I'm sure you can google it and find it, but I remember reading about it on RealTalk. You should also post your list on your website. Just a thought.

MAY

2007

Im a bit dizzy from reading your current list. I am going to do a little research and brainstorming to add to your list.

Negotiate repairs if needed, Im still thinking.

Refer your list of moving companies or maybe share a list of contractors to take care of needed repairs.

MAY

2007

You've got to add "hiring a home stager" to the list.

That would fall under Saleable Enhancement Suggestions - I wouldn't want them to think i'm paying for staging!

MAY

2007

WOW, what a list! I'm not a realtor, but I do work for one and I know she works very hard. I have much respect for all that realtors do and their commission is well earned! Thanks for the list, very eye opening!

I believe that an excellent agent is worth every penny that they earn...the problem people have with agent's commissions is that they don't understand exactly what they do to earn the money. I think the concept of putting together a list is fine, however as I peruse this list, a great deal of what I see is clerical in nature. In other words, nothing that requires special skills, knowledge, or expertise. People aren't going to want to pay you big money to fill out forms, make copies, install a sign, respond to questions, etc. I think a list like this needs to focus on those things you do that are truly of value. Joe Stumpf has a great list, broken down into 3 primary roles; consultant, negotiator, and overseer of all the transactional details. Check it out at http://joesjournal.typepad.com/consultant.

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