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Carlsbad Sellers – What You See is What You Get

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

Carlsbad Sellers – What You See is What You Get

 

Carlsbad home sellers – this is all about you and what you ought to get when you hire a listing agent to help sell your home.

 

Is what you see what you get when you agree to work with a listing agent?Just as a general rule, what prospective listing agents tell you about the market, how they work, their services and their marketing/advertising ought to be the reality. What you see (and hear) is what you get.

 

Hopefully.

 

And if they don’t offer it up or you don’t see it, you should ask!

 

What ARE you going to do” Mr./Ms. Agent?

 

A vital component is a written marketing plan.

 

I am often surprised when talking with sellers, and other agents, that there is no written marketing plan provided so sellers know what they are getting in terms of marketing for their home. I share a draft written marketing plan and list of the Internet sites where the sellers will see their home during the pre-listing process. Once the home is listed with me the sellers get a custom written plan that details what I am going to do and when. And this gets updated as needed during the early phase of the listing.

 

Many people are visual learners, and seeing something written or in graphic form helps them with understanding and recall. So materials in writing from listing agents are helpful. Plus a written marketing plan shows not only a commitment from the agent that s/he really IS going to do certain things, but that they have also put some thought into what they are doing and why.

 

Plus, Mr. and/or Ms. Seller, you can check on what the agent is doing if s/he puts it in writing before you, which you should do. Many don’t.

 

Hmmm, maybe what you don’t see is what you get.

 

My Seller's HandbookAnother important visual are the photos.

 

Photography issues are really a topic for at least 1 other blog post. As the seller you really ought to see what you get, and therefore what the buyers get. Have a look-see at the photos the agent takes or has taken so you will see things as prospective buyers do.

 

You may be surprised, hopefully happily.

 

But from some of the pictures we agents and buyers see  it’s obvious many sellers have no idea how poorly their homes are looking on-line.

 

Keep in mind that your first open house is on-line. If your home does not show well on-line, guess what!?

 

Another visual I provide is my Seller handbook. There is a ton of stuff to know about the sales transaction process and my handbook provides a terrific resource (my opinion) for sellers, especially those selling a home for the first time. 

 

Things like:

  • the forms they will encounter
  • and answers to questions about escrow, title, home inspections, repairs requests, disclosures and more.

 

What you see is what you get may be a bit of a cliché. But in selling a home, there’s a lot of truth to this axiom.

 

And what you don’t see may be exactly what you get. Think about it.

 

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


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Comments (17)

Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Jeff, I don't think most home sellers realize how important the marketing plan is.

Oct 20, 2011 03:25 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Jeff - Love the idea of providing a Seller's Handbook, and of course the marketing plan needs to be in writing, but I know many agents who operate without a business plan or marketing plans for their listings.

Oct 20, 2011 03:48 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Wow Jeff!  Impressive .. especially the Sellers Handbook.  Great idea that shows your commitment and professionalism.  Buyers and Sellers both have a responsibility within their own transactions.  That commitment demands that they work at the sale and purchase.  Many don't realize that.  Your post illustrates that very well.  Suggested!

Gene

Oct 20, 2011 04:08 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

The "what you see is what you get" line might be an old cliche`, but it couldn't be further from the truth when it comes to buying or selling Real Estate and when choosing an agent.

Oct 20, 2011 05:44 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Maria - it seems that some agents don't either. LOL

Norma - so true. I like the idea of a handbook, obviously and putting one together also helps me keep in mind all the issues that are important to convey to sellers.

Jeff

Oct 20, 2011 05:59 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Jeff,

My presentation and written marketing plan is contained in a bound hard cover book. I think if we want the full-bore compensation, that we should earn it. Knowing you, I know that you do that. I think of it as the CRS difference. We know what to do and actually do it. And little wonder we are only 2 or 3 percent of the industry. Excellence does tend to stand apart from the rest.

Oct 20, 2011 09:14 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Jeff - My sellers know exactly what they get when it comes to my marketing plan, which is in writing and I send them copies and links of everything to confirm that I'm holding up my end.

Oct 20, 2011 02:37 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Jeff it is easy to see why you are successful at what you do.  Others would do well to listen.

Oct 20, 2011 02:48 PM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Hi Jeff  - this is a great ppost and what a fabulous idea using a seller's handbook. They know exactly what to expect then.

Oct 20, 2011 04:44 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks, Gene, I have had great comments on the Handbook and continue to revise is as needed. I keep it on Google docs so it's easy to send a link rather than printing out 60 pages.

Your comments just gave me an idea for another page to include in my handbooks for buyers and sellers - responsibilities!

Jeff

Oct 21, 2011 04:55 AM
Robert Hammerstein -
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Jeff - We too try to do a sellers handbook whenever we take a listing. This certainly shows you to be the expert in your area. Great idea to share with everyone. Also a great idea to put it into Google Docs for easy accessibility.... Nice job.

Oct 21, 2011 07:46 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

That is why you are the go to Carlsbad real estate agent, Jeff.  You do it right.

Oct 21, 2011 09:12 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Craig - no argument here. I think some sellers really do not get what they expect, hope for, or more importantly need. Some get that and much more.

William - I'm not surprised that you are that organized and efficient. And being a CRS DOES play a huge role IMO.

Jeff

Oct 21, 2011 12:42 PM
Tamara Inzunza
Realty One Group Capital - Alexandria, VA
Close-In Alexandria and Arlington Living

Good post.  I know that many times agents tell sellers what they're going to do, but it's best to show them.

Oct 21, 2011 12:53 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Darn those spammers Not once but 3 times! Reported.

Jeff

Oct 21, 2011 01:29 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, Jeff!  Those nasty spammers really, really LOVE your blog! 

Oct 21, 2011 01:34 PM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

I have to provide a complete marketing plan for the homes I sell because most of them are sold "off market" and without the typical MLS stats, it's hard to quantify exactly what is done.  I like the idea of a sellers handbook as a means of putting all the tasks I perform in one place.  Hmm...

Oct 22, 2011 03:10 AM