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Significant Change Requires Updating Procedures Part 1 of 4

By
Real Estate Agent with Dirt Road Real Estate SA676002000

“Change is inevitable. Change is Constant.”

Benjamin Disraeli

As August 17, 2024 looms, many real estate agents as well as REALTORS® are scrambling to comply with the NAR Settlement Agreement specific to real estate documents, Broker policies and MLS policies as they review their current listings and offers in escrow.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IS HAPPENING!

Having a process mentality, I admit it took me a while to establish a consistent process respective to all the changes in real estate:

  • Listings
  • Sales leads
  • Offers
  • Offers in escrow
  • Closed transactions
  • Documentation required by Broker

As agents we know that each real estate transaction is unique. I had to update the procedures in my listing and buying processes numerous times until all experienced changed scenarios were covered.  Fortunately, I was able to use my existing real estate listing process and updated that respective to these mandated changes here in AZ and within the brokerage of Dirt Road Real Estate.

Note: The sales process is actually three-fold process: Marketing, Selling and Keeping. Within each process there are procedures (steps) from beginning to end. The process does not change but the steps may or do change within each process.

Since I already had a spreadsheet with all my current active real estate listings, I made a copy, saved it and then added some additional columns to ensure all changes are completed by the deadline of August 17 2024.  NOTE: This existing current Listings Spreadsheet is updated when new listings are created. I double check to make sure my spreadsheet contains the same number of listings that the MLS shows.  Having this procedural step is one of quality control.

The first step was to create some new templates in my “Transaction Desk” program:

  • Listing Contract Addendum (Revised)
  • Vacant Land Listing Contract (Revised)
  • Real Estate Agency Disclosure and Election (Revised)

Step two was to print out the newly created spreadsheet with active listings and the new columns:

  • Addendum Date Sent
  • New Listing Contract Date Sent 
  • Received New Signed Documents from Sellers and/or myself or Designated Broker
  • Fully Executed (All parties have signed)
  • Uploaded to Laptop 
  • Uploaded to Brokerage File

NOTE:  I highlighted Addendum Date Sent and New Listing Contract Date Sent columns in different colors to reflect when the actual new documents were created. Then I placed the projected date in those respective columns.  When the Addenda and Contracts are actually emailed, I will bold the dates. This sub step saves adding additional columns to the worksheet.

Part 2 of this 4 part series  will look at steps 3 through 12 in detail.

#realestate #realestateagent #realestatelife #property #realty #realestatetips

Feature Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Any reproduction of Leanne M Smith’s blog for use by any AI or GAI, distribution or reproduction including but not limited to electronic newsletters e.g. PDF’s Internet sites or physical products e.g. newspapers, CDs without prior written permission and consent by me, Leanne M. Smith (Leanne Hoagland-Smith) is strictly prohibited.

Posted by

Leanne M. Smith, MS, GRI, rCRMS

2018 KGVAR Rookie Realtor of the Year-55+
219.508.2859 MST
Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/leannehoaglandsmith
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Leanne,

Yes we all are having to go back and update our processes to comply with all the changes. Each transaction is unique but we need procedures to follow and then can always make adjustments. Good series on what you are doing.

Aug 03, 2024 11:29 AM
Leanne Smith

Thank you Dorie Dillard Austin TX and good morning. Much of the angst is because some agents do not have any processes that are consistently employed.

Aug 04, 2024 06:15 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thank you, Leanne, for sharing your insights on updating procedures in real estate; your detailed approach to adapting to change is incredibly valuable and inspiring!

Aug 03, 2024 11:58 AM
Leanne Smith

Your compliment is indeed beyond gracious Lew Corcoran Having been in sales as well as purchasing for over 5 decades I have always had internal processes to ensure consistency and quality of the services being delivered.

Aug 04, 2024 06:16 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Leanne- after my many years here, I've learned that the most professional and successful agents have procedures they follow. Changes happen, and then you alter your procedures. 

Aug 03, 2024 01:31 PM
Leanne Smith

Yes so true and my sense is the key words "professional and successful" are essential not only for real estate agents but any other professional, licensed individual.

Aug 04, 2024 06:17 AM
Mike McGlynn
The Gallery of Homes - Omaha, NE
The Luxxe Group by Gallery of Homes

Thanks Leanne for the details of your procedures!  We've been testing new ideas internally the past few months.  It will be interesting to hear from different professionals across the county in a few months to see what implementations worked and needed more change

Aug 03, 2024 01:38 PM
Leanne Smith

So true and the balls are still moving with the Feds. I just heard the Feds don't like the Buyer Broker Agreements even tho in some states this is a statue. Our AZ Gov. vetoed a similar law requiring Buyer Broker Agreements. Currently those agreements are optional.

Aug 04, 2024 06:19 AM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Thank you for summarizing the changes Leanne. Look forward to your next detailed posts. I have put the new forms into my buyer template in Transaction Desk yesterday. Looking at the old way and new way, I am thinking Frank Sinatra singing his song "I Did It My Way" would not work if he wanted to become a Realtor....just sayin' Jeff 😀

This Could be the new REALTOR theme song (or epitaph) as sung by Frank Sinatra (My Way)

Aug 03, 2024 03:13 PM
Leanne Smith

I have always looked at the song as how I do things.  My way is not like another person.  Ways like attitudes can change. What hopefully doesn't change is the desire end result. Good morning to you Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI 

Aug 04, 2024 06:20 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Aug 03, 2024 06:47 PM
Leanne Smith

Good morning Kathy Streib and thank you for the feature.

Aug 04, 2024 05:57 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Leanne Smith  great post and message, check out my post of yesterday, I believe I said the same thing not as articulate as you did, clearly, Endre

Aug 03, 2024 09:55 PM
Leanne Smith

Good morning and I will check your posting immediately lest I forget. Thank you for your kind words.

Aug 04, 2024 05:53 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Leanne - being proactive matters.  It goes beyond just "talk" which is far too common.  Good for you.  

Aug 04, 2024 02:23 AM
Leanne Smith

Good morning and thank you. Proacive means for me both an attitude and action (behavior).

Aug 04, 2024 05:53 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I have seen a lot of interesting chatter coming from the fact that they removed all of the commission-related fields from the MLS this past week.

Aug 04, 2024 05:56 AM
Leanne Smith

Yes and going forward I understand no documents in any attachments, no trying to get around with 2 bottle of upright win on the counter table and one laying down, etc.  Brokerages can have a URL that is two clicks away in which there can be information about cooperative compensation. That link should not be easily visible to the general public.

Aug 04, 2024 06:14 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, ePRO
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Serving Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Seniors

Great post! Some great systems there.
While there's no significant changes for CA REALTORS; it's business as usual - shy a couple form changes that were already released back in July. We're also applying the new MLS rules on 8/12/2024 here in San Diego. 
I find posts like your brilliant for reassessing how I'm organizing my systems. Bookmarked and ready for 2,3,& 4! 😀

Aug 04, 2024 08:40 AM
Leanne Smith

Thank you and truly not significant changes for AZ. However for some states and brokerages these changes are significant. Part 2 will be published this am, 8/4/2024.

Aug 04, 2024 08:54 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Leanne Smith 
Your series will be a tremendous help for everyone who reads the posts. I know I plan to read all four! All the best - Lynn

Aug 05, 2024 07:04 PM
Leanne Smith

Thank you and so appreciate the kind words. My goal is to have part 4 tomorrow, but that may change.

Aug 05, 2024 07:14 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Wonderful start to your series, Leanne. We are doing business as usual with the exception of a couple of changes in our forms and now, no compensation in MLS. Of course, I had to change my templates with the new forms. One benefit of doing that is familiarizing ourselves with those new forms!

Aug 06, 2024 07:39 PM
Leanne Smith

Maybe more agents will familiarize themselves with the new forms? Our state Association publishes the forms which have been vetted by other REALTORS as well as legal.

Aug 07, 2024 05:18 AM