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Are You Picky With Your Listings?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage BRE#01732313

Home for SaleNot to say choosey.  You may want to work in certain cities or neighborhoods, or perhaps certain types of sellers (perhaps regular sales only).  But that’s choosing where and how you want to work.

But, once you get the listing, are you picky? I am, but am I too picky?

I like things to come together upfront, so when the home goes on the market, it’s a little like a product launch – the wow happens right out of the gate.

  • The stager, landscaper, window washer and photographer are all scheduled so the house will be picture perfect the first time it’s seen.
  • A seller’s coverage home warranty is ordered.
  • The listing is pre-loaded in the MLS but not marked as active until the day before broker’s tour.
  • The seller sees a copy of the MLS listing to see that it’s correct.
  • The photos are taken once the house is tip-top, along with the virtual tour.
  • If weather is bad, I’ll retake and replace any gloomy exterior photos with sunny-day shots.
  • Flyers are made – black and white for broker’s tour, full color for visitors.  Sellers get a copy of the flyer before it’s printed, to make sure they’re happy with the content.
  • Print ads are scheduled.
  • Online sites are enhanced with additional photos, open house info, virtual tour links.
  • A blog gets written about the listing J
  • The sign order goes up the morning the listing goes active.
  • The lockbox is installed, the flyer box outside is filled.
  • Full color flyers (with floor plan if I have it) are in the brochure holder, along with a supply of business cards.
  • A financing flyer from a trusted lender is on hand.
  • Tour day and open house times are promoted.
  • The listing is pitched at the local marketing meeting the day of, or sooner if ‘coming soon’ promotion is appropriate and okay’d by the seller.
  • Something tasty is available for agents coming through on tour day.
  • Directional signs are put out.
  • The house is held open the first weekend it’s on the market.
  • Sellers are coached to be away for showings, and to advise me of all of them.
  • All showings get a thank you call or email.

Would love to hear additional ideas from other agents.  Thanks in advance for your comments!

Comments (16)

Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Whew....you have it down.  A lot of upfront work, but I am sure it is worth it.  Best of luck.

Mar 25, 2011 03:21 PM
Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Karen, "YES! I am picky, too."  I don't think you can be TOO picky--you're just taking care of your clients!  Good for you!!

Mar 25, 2011 03:24 PM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

Thanks Suzanne, but I always feel if I do the work upfront, I'll have a better chance of getting it sold sooner.

Mar 25, 2011 03:24 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Karen, when you offer this level of service quality, I'd say you've earned the right to be picky!

Mar 25, 2011 03:27 PM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

Thank you Sonja and Pat!

Mar 25, 2011 03:29 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Karen,

Wow, you've got a great list here and I"m a pretty detailed person myself. I have a lisint "launch plan" that is implemented with new listings. It's a short series of communications (letters from my service providers introducing themselves and their role in the sales process. It works VERY well for consumers, btw each letter is accompanied by something specific to that affiliate/vendor.

Also, when one of the agents in my office (I'm the broker) submits a new listing they also receive a letter from me, it's a thank you and it re-affirms their selection of my agent. In the past we've just had one letter, but we now have 3 different ones depending on the type of sale. I.e. different tone of letter for a short sale vs. a traditional seller. A one size-fits-all doesn't work with our current market.  

Mar 25, 2011 03:59 PM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

Lynda, that's a great idea. I have a listing 'to-do' list that I follow, or I wouldn't remember all the various things.  I'm going to see how I can adopt/adapt your service provider-letter idea. Thanks!

Mar 25, 2011 04:03 PM
Nancy Seley
Long & Foster Real Estate - Annapolis, MD
Annapolis/Anne Arundel County MD

No, not picky, just professional :)

Mar 26, 2011 04:50 AM
Laura Sargent
Carolina One Real Estate - Mount Pleasant, SC

Top of your game and you should be proud.  I hope you have a PUBLIC blog out there boasting all you do and stating something about the level of service your sellers can expect.

Mar 26, 2011 07:04 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Karen - Like you, I have a listing check-list--no need to reinvent the wheel with each new listing.

Mar 26, 2011 08:59 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Karen, I wish your picky list was a requirement and agents go to jail for not doing them (LOL) This means you are a true professional … not picky … PROFESSIONAL. Thank you!

Mar 27, 2011 04:35 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Karen, I like the home to be at it's best before it goes public and it means doing the things on your list. First impressions are everything. Many of the buyers will viewing that home in that first week that are looking in the area..as well as agents with clients and if repairs haven't been done, the house hasn't been prepped properly, then you've lost those that came to see and will move on to other listings. As I was reading this, I too was thinking this post should be public letting folks see what you do!

Mar 27, 2011 07:07 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Love the enthusiam of out of the gate.  My comment, please make this public!  You shine, and detail what you do for your clients.  I'm impressed, and so should they!!  Especially, having your clients review the listing sheet.  GOSh I wish other agents would do this.  Taking photos, and re-taking them if the weather is cloudy. 

Mar 27, 2011 09:04 AM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

Ok, Laura, Cindy and Carla - I'll make it a public post. Thanks for your votes of confidence.

Mar 27, 2011 02:41 PM
The Scott Loper Team Bux-Mont Premier Properties
Keller Williams Real Estate - Montgomeryville - Lansdale, PA

Hi Karen,

Picky is in the eye of the beholder. I don't think you are picky at all but some sellers (you know the ones whose houses take longer to sell) think you are super-picky!

Lisa

Mar 30, 2011 03:14 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Great list Karen!  I've been meaning to make a check list like this for listings. I'm picky too!  My pet peeve is the listing showing up in the MLS without pictures.

 

Apr 05, 2011 05:57 PM