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The "Real" Role of a Listing Agent

By
Real Estate Agent with Signature Properties Group, Inc.

 

Many homeowners expect their listing agent to do the same things that a selling agent does - find someone to buy their home.  After all, they do the things you expect if they were searching for buyers.  A sign goes up in the front yard.  Ads are placed in the local newspapers and real estate magazines.  Your agent will hold a Realtor® open house and possibly a public open house on the weekends.

But this is only "surface" marketing.  More important activity occurs behind the scenes.  After the "for sale" sign goes up and flyers are printed, your agent's main job is to market your home to other agents, not to home buyers. Even before the sign is up and the brochures are ready, your agent should list your property with the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service).  The MLS is a database of all the homes listed by local real estate agents who are members of the service, which is practically all of the local agents.

Important information about your property is listed here, from general data such as square footage and number of rooms, to such details as whether you have granite counter tops or hardwood floors.  There should also be numerous pictures and a verbal description of what your home's "special" features are.

Agents search the MLS for homes that fit the price range and needs of their buying clients. They pay special attention to homes that have been recently placed on the market, which is one reason you get a lot of attention when your house is first listed.  Many agents will want to preview the home before they show it to their clients.  Thus, your listing agent will need to hold a Realtor® Open House so the other agents may preview the new listing.

The main point about having your house listed in the MLS is that you expand your sales force by the number of local MLS members.  Instead of having just one agent working for you, now you have hundreds of agents working for you throughout the area.

The listing agent's main job is to make sure that the other MLS members know about your property.  This is accomplished through listing your house in the Multiple Listing Service, Realtor Open Houses and advertising targeted toward other real estate agents, as well as home buyers. Make sure Your Agent lists Your Property in your local MLS!

Show All Comments Sort:
Al Maxwell
Keller Williams - Marietta, GA
Real Estate Agent
So true and I believe that the pictures are critical. Many people "delete" a home that does not look nice.
Dec 27, 2007 02:10 AM
Al Maxwell
Keller Williams - Marietta, GA
Real Estate Agent
So true and I believe that the pictures are critical. Many people "delete" a home that does not look nice.
Dec 27, 2007 02:10 AM
Dave Woodson
Dave Woodson - Chesterton, IN
Not the Average Agent

You know what drives me completely insane are homes and even commercial buildings that have been on the market for months are there are still no pictures on the MLS or other sites that the agent has them on.  I want but I know I can't send a letter to the owner and alert them to the face that their agent has not done his job. 

I want to do it, but I CAN'T DO IT and WON"T DO IT

Dec 27, 2007 02:17 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

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Jan 04, 2018 07:03 PM