184 Things a REALTOR® Does for Clients

We know REALTORS® do A LOT more than show homes, now there’s a list that shows just how much you do for your clients.

  • 1. Make appointment with seller for listing presentation
  • 2. Send seller a written or e-mail confirmation of listing appointment & call to confirm
  • 3. Review pre-appointment questions
  • 4. Research all comparable currently listed properties
  • 5. Research sales activity for past 18 months from MLS & public records databases
  • 6. Research “Average Days on Market” for property of this type, price range & location
  • 7. Download & review property tax roll information
  • 8. Prepare “Comparable Market Analysis” (CMA) to establish fair market value
  • 9. Obtain copy of subdivision plat/complex lay-out
  • 10. Research property’s ownership & deed type
  • 11. Research property’s public record information for lot size & dimensions
  • 12. Research & verify legal description
  • 13. Research property’s land use coding & deed restrictions
  • 14. Research property’s current use & zoning
  • 15. Verify legal names of owner(s) in county’s public property records
  • 16. Prepare listing presentation package with above materials
  • 17. Perform exterior “Curb Appeal Assessment” of subject property
  • 18. Compile & assemble formal file on property
  • 19. Confirm current public schools & explain impact of schools on market value
  • 20. Review listing appointment checklist to ensure all steps & actions are completed
  • 21. Give seller an overview of current market conditions & projections
  • 22. Review agent’s & company’s credentials & accomplishments in the market
  • 23. Present company’s profile & position or “niche” in the marketplace
  • 24. Present CMA to Seller, incl. Comparables, Solds, Current Listings & Expireds
  • 25. Offer pricing strategy based on professional judgment & current market conditions
  • 26. Discuss Goals With Seller To Market Effectively
  • 27. Explain market power & benefits of Multiple Listing Service
  • 28. Explain market power of web marketing, IDX & REALTOR.com
  • 29. Explain the work you do “behind the scenes” & availability on weekends
  • 30. Explain role in screening for qualified buyers & protect seller from curiosity seekers
  • 31. Present & discuss strategic master marketing plan
  • 32. Explain different agency relationships & determine seller’s preference
  • 33. Review & explain all clauses in Listing Contract & Addendum & obtain seller’s signature
  • 34. Review current title information
  • 35. Measure overall & heated square footage
  • 36. Measure interior room sizes
  • 37. Confirm lot size via owner’s copy of certified survey, if available
  • 38. Note any & all unrecorded property lines, agreements, easements
  • 39. Obtain house plans, if applicable & available
  • 40. Review house plans & make copy
  • 41. Order plat map for retention in property’s listing file
  • 42. Prepare showing instructions for buyers’ agents & showing times with seller
  • 43. Obtain current mortgage loan(s) information: companies & loan account numbers
  • 44. Verify current loan information with lender(s)
  • 45. Check assumability of loan(s) & any special requirements
  • 46. Discuss possible buyer financing alternatives & options with seller
  • 47. Review current appraisal if available
  • 48. Identify Home Owner Association manager if applicable
  • 49. Verify Homeowner Association Fees with manager – mandatory or optional & fees
  • 50. Order copy of Homeowner Association bylaws, if applicable
  • 51. Research electricity availability & supplier’s name & phone number
  • 52. Calculate average utility usage from last 12 months of bills
  • 53. Research & verify city sewer/septic tank system
  • 54. Water System: Calculate average water fees or rates from last 12 months of bills
  • 55. Well Water: Confirm well status, depth & output from Well Report
  • 56. Natural Gas: Research/verify availability & supplier’s name & phone number
  • 57. Verify security system, current term of service & whether owned or leased
  • 58. Verify if seller has transferable Termite Bond
  • 59. Ascertain need for lead-based paint disclosure
  • 60. Prepare detailed list of property amenities & assess market impact
  • 61. Prepare detailed list of property’s “Inclusions & Conveyances with Sale”
  • 62. Compile list of completed repairs & maintenance items
  • 63. Send “Vacancy Checklist” to seller if property is vacant
  • 64. Explain benefits of Home Owner Warranty to seller
  • 65. Assist sellers with completion & submission of Home Owner Warranty Application
  • 66. Place Home Owner Warranty in property file for conveyance at time of sale
  • 67. Have extra key made for lockbox
  • 68. Verify if property has rental units involved. And if so:
    • 69. Make copies of all leases for retention in listing file
    • 70. Verify all rents & deposits
    • 71. Inform tenants of listing & discuss how showings will be handled
  • 72. Arrange for installation of yard sign
  • 73. Assist seller with completion of Seller’s Disclosure form
  • 74. “New Listing Checklist” Completed
  • 75. Review Curb Appeal Assessment & provide suggestions to improve salability
  • 76. Review Interior Decor Assessment & suggest changes to shorten time on market
  • 77. Load listing into transaction management software program
  • 78. Prepare MLS Profile Sheet
  • 79. Enter property data from Profile Sheet into MLS Listing Database
  • 80. Proofread MLS database listing for accuracy – incl proper placement in map
  • 81. Add property to company’s Active Listings list
  • 82. Provide seller copies of Listing Agreement & MLS Profile Sheet within 48 hours
  • 83. Take additional photos for upload into MLS & use in flyers
  • 84. Create print & Internet ads with seller’s input
  • 85. Coordinate showings with owners, tenants, & other REALTORS®. Return all calls
  • 86. Install electronic lock box if authorized. Program agreed-to showing times
  • 87. Prepare mailing & contact list
  • 88. Generate mail-merge letters to contact list
  • 89. Order “Just Listed” labels & reports
  • 90. Prepare flyers & feedback forms
  • 91. Review comparable MLS listings regularly to ensure property remains competitive
  • 92. Prepare property marketing brochure for seller’s review
  • 93. Arrange for printing or copying of supply of marketing brochures or flyers
  • 94. Place marketing brochures in all company agent mail boxes
  • 95. Upload listing to company & agent Internet site, if applicable
  • 96. Mail Out “Just Listed” notice to all neighborhood residents
  • 97. Advise Network Referral Program of listing
  • 98. Provide marketing data to buyers coming thru international relocation networks
  • 99. Provide marketing data to buyers coming from referral network
  • 100. Provide “Special Feature” cards for marketing, if applicable
  • 101. Submit ads to company’s participating Internet real estate sites
  • 102. Price changes conveyed promptly to all Internet groups
  • 103. Reprint/supply brochures promptly as needed
  • 104. Loan information reviewed & updated in MLS as required
  • 105. Feedback e-mails/faxes sent to buyers’ agents after showings
  • 106. Review weekly Market Study
  • 107. Discuss feedback from showings with seller to determine if changes are needed
  • 108. Place regular weekly update calls to seller to discuss marketing & pricing
  • 109. Promptly enter price changes in MLS listing database
  • 110. Receive & review all Offer to Purchase contracts submitted by buyers’ agents
  • 111. Evaluate offer(s) & prepare a “net sheet” for the owner for comparison purposes
  • 112. Counsel seller on offers. Explain merits & weakness of each offer
  • 113. Contact buyers’ agents to review buyer’s qualifications & discuss offer
  • 114. Deliver Seller’s Disclosure to buyer upon request & prior to offer if possible
  • 115. Confirm buyer is pre-qualified by calling Loan Officer
  • 116. Obtain pre-qualification letter on buyer from Loan Officer
  • 117. Negotiate all offers on seller’s behalf, set time limit for loan approval & closing
  • 118. Prepare & convey counteroffers, acceptance or amendments to buyer’s agent
  • 119. Fax copies of contract & all addendums to closing attorney or title company
  • 120. When Offer to Purchase Contract is accepted, deliver to buyer’s agent
  • 121. Record & promptly deposit buyer’s earnest money in escrow account
  • 122. Disseminate “Under Contract Showing Restrictions” as seller requests
  • 123. Deliver copies of fully signed Offer to Purchase contract to seller
  • 124. Send copies of Offer to Purchase contract to Selling Agent
  • 125. Send copies of Offer to Purchase contract to lender
  • 126. Provide copies of siqned Offer to Purchase contract for office file
  • 127. Advise seller on additional offers submitted between contract & closing
  • 128. Change status in MLS to “Sale Pending”
  • 129. Update transaction management program show “Sale Pending”
  • 130. Review buyer’s credit report – Advise seller of worst & best case scenarios
  • 131. Provide credit report information to seller if property will be seller-financed
  • 132. Assist buyer with obtaining financing, if applicable & follow-up as necessary
  • 133. Coordinate with lender on Discount Points being locked in with dates
  • 134. Deliver unrecorded property information to buyer
  • 135. Order septic system inspection, if applicable
  • 136. Receive & review septic system report & assess any possible impact on sale
  • 137. Deliver copy of septic system inspection report lender & buyer
  • 138. Deliver Well Flow Test Report copies to lender & buyer & property listing file
  • 139. Verify termite inspection ordered
  • 140. Verify mold inspection ordered, if required
  • 141. Confirm Verifications Of Deposit & Buyer’s Employment Have Been Returned
  • 142. Follow Loan Processing Through To The Underwriter
  • 143. Add lender & other vendors to your management program so agents, buyer & seller can track progress of sale
  • 144. Contact lender weekly to ensure processing is on track
  • 145. Relay final approval of buyer’s loan application to seller
  • 146. Coordinate buyer’s professional home inspection with seller
  • 147. Review home inspector’s report
  • 148. Enter completion into transaction management tracking software program
  • 149. Explain seller’s responsibilities & interpret any clauses in the contract
  • 150. Ensure seller’s compliance with Home Inspection Clause requirements
  • 151. Assist seller with identifying contractors to perform any required repairs
  • 152. Negotiate payment & oversee all required repairs on seller’s behalf, if needed
  • 153. Schedule Appraisal
  • 154. Provide comparable sales used in market pricing to Appraiser
  • 155. Follow-Up On Appraisal
  • 156. Enter completion into transaction management program
  • 157. Assist seller in questioning appraisal report if it seems too low
  • 158. Contract Is Signed By All Parties
  • 159. Coordinate closing process with buyer’s agent & lender
  • 160. Update closing forms & files
  • 161. Ensure all parties have all forms & information needed to close the sale
  • 162. Select location where closing will be held
  • 163. Confirm closing date & time & notify all parties
  • 164. Assist in solving any title problems or in obtaining Death Certificates
  • 165. Work with buyer’s agent in scheduling buyer’s Final Walk- Thru prior to closing
  • 166. Research all tax, HOA, utility & other applicable prorations
  • 167. Request final closing figures from closing agent (attorney or title company)
  • 168. Receive & carefully review closing figures to ensure accuracy of preparation
  • 169. Forward verified closing figures to buyer’s agent
  • 170. Request copy of closing documents from closing agent
  • 171. Confirm buyer & buyer’s agent have received title insurance commitment
  • 172. Provide “Home Owners Warranty” for availability at closing
  • 173. Reviews all closing documents carefully for errors
  • 174. Forward closing documents to absentee seller as requested
  • 175. Review documents with closing agent (attorney)
  • 176. Provide earnest money deposit check from escrow account to closing agent
  • 177. Coordinate closing with seller’s next purchase & resolve any timing problems
  • 178. Have a “no surprises” closing so seller receives a net proceeds check at
    closing
  • 179. Refer sellers to one of the best agents at their destination, if applicable
  • 180. Change MLS status to Sold. Enter sale date, price, selling broker, etc.
  • 181. Close out listing in your management program
  • 182. Answer questions about filing claims with Home Owner Warranty company if requested
  • 183. Attempt to clarify & resolve any conflicts about repairs if buyer is not satisfied
  • 184. Respond to any calls & provide any information required from office files.




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