


184 Roles of a Listing Agent
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Listing Appointment Presentation
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Research property’s public record information for lot size and dimensions.
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Verify legal description.
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Research property’s land use coding and deed restrictions.
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Research property’s current use and zoning.
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Verify legal names of owner(s) in county’s public property records.
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Prepare listing presentation package with above materials.
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Perform exterior “curb appeal assessment” of subject property.
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Compile and assemble formal file on property.
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Confirm current public schools and explain their impact on market value.
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Review listing appointment checklist to ensure completion of all tasks.
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Give seller an overview of current market conditions and projections.
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Review agent and company credentials and accomplishments.
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Present company’s profile and position or “niche” in the marketplace.
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Present CMA results, including comparables, solds, current listings and expireds.
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Offer professional pricing strategy based and interpretation of current market conditions.
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Discuss goals to market effectively.
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Explain market power and benefits of multiple listing service.
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Explain market power of Web marketing, IDX and REALTOR.com.
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Explain the work the broker and agent do “behind the scenes” and agent’s availability on weekends.
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Explain agent’s role in screening qualified buyers to protect against curiosity seekers.
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Present and discuss strategic master marketing plan.
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Explain different agency relationships and determine seller’s preference.
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Review all clauses in listing contract and obtain seller’s signature.
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After Listing Agreement is Signed
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Review current title information.
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Measure overall and heated square footage.
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Measure interior room sizes.
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Confirm lot size via owner’s copy of certified survey, if available.
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Note any and all unrecorded property lines, agreements, easements.
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Obtain house plans, if applicable and available.
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Review house plans, make copy.
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Order plat map for retention in property’s listing file.
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Prepare showing instructions for buyers’ agents and agree on showing time with seller.
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Obtain current mortgage loan(s) information: companies and account numbers.
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Verify current loan information with lender(s).
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Check assumability of loan(s) and any special requirements.
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Discuss possible buyer financing alternatives and options with seller.
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Review current appraisal if available.
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Identify Home Owner Association manager is applicable.
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Verify Home Owner Association fees with manager–mandatory or optional and current annual fee.
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Order copy of Home Owner Association bylaws, if applicable.
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Research electricity availability and supplier’s name and phone number.
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Calculate average utility usage from last 12 months of bills.
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Research and verify city sewer/septic tank system.
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Calculate average water system fees or rates from last 12 months of bills.
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Or confirm well status, depth and output from Well Report.
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Research/verify natural gas availability, supplier’s name and phone number.
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Verify security system, term of service and whether owned or leased.
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Verify if seller has transferable Termite Bond.
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Ascertain need for lead-based paint disclosure.
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Prepare detailed list of property amenities and assess market impact.
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Prepare detailed list of property’s “Inclusions & Conveyances with Sale.”
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Complete list of completed repairs and maintenance items.
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Send “Vacancy Checklist” to seller if property is vacant.
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Explain benefits of Home Owner Warranty to seller.
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Assist sellers with completion and submission of Home Owner Warranty application.
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When received, place Home Owner Warranty in property file for conveyance at time of sale.
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Have extra key made for lockbox.
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Verify if property has rental units involved. And if so:
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Make copies of all leases for retention in listing file.
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Verify all rents and deposits.
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Inform tenants of listing and discuss how showings will be handled.
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Arrange for yard sign installation.
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Assist seller with completion of Seller’s Disclosure form.
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Complete “new listing checklist.”
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Review results of Curb Appeal Assessment with seller and suggest improvements for salability.
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Review results of Interior Decor Assessment and suggest changes to shorten time on market.
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Load listing time into transaction management software.
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Entering Property in MLS Database
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Prepare MLS Profile Sheet–agent is responsible for “quality control” and accuracy of listing data.
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Enter property data from Profile Sheet into MLS listing database.
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Proofread MLS database listing for accuracy, including property placement in mapping function.
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Add property to company’s Active Listings.
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Provide seller with signed copies of Listing Agreement and MLS Profile Data Form within 48 hours.
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Take more photos for upload into MLS and use in flyers. Discuss efficacy of panoramic photography.
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Marketing the Listing
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Create print and Internet ads with seller’s input.
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Coordinate showings with owners, tenants and other agents. Return all calls–weekends included
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Install electronic lockbox. Program with agreed-upon showing time windows.
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Prepare mailing and contact list.
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Generate mail-merge letters to contact list.
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Order “Just Listed” labels and reports.
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Prepare flyers and feedback forms.
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Review comparable MLS listings regularly to ensure property remains competitive in price, terms, conditions and availability.
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Prepare property marketing brochure for seller’s review.
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Arrange for printing or copying of supply of marketing brochures or flyers.
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Place marketing brochures in all company agent mailboxes.
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Upload listing to company and agent Internet sites, if applicable.
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Mail “Just Listed” notice to all neighborhood residents.
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Advise Network Referral Program of listing.
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Provide marketing data to buyers from international relocation networks.
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Provide marketing data to buyers coming from referral network.
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Provide “Special Feature” cards form marketing, if applicable/
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Submit ads to company’s participating Internet real estate sites.
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Convey price changes promptly to all Internet groups.
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Reprint/supply brochures promptly as needed.
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Review and update loan information in MLS as required.
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Send feedback e-mails/faxes to buyers’ agents after showings.
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Review weekly Market Study.
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Discuss feedback from showing agents with seller to determine if changes will accelerate the sale.
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Place regular weekly update calls to seller to discuss marketing and pricing.
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Promptly enter price changes in MLS listings database.
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The Offer and the Contract
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Receive and review all Offer to Purchase contracts submitted by buyers or buyers’ agents.
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Evaluate offer(s) and prepare “net sheet” on each for owner to compare.
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Counsel seller on offers. Explain merits and weakness of each component of each offer.
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Contact buyers’ agents to review buyer’s qualifications and discuss offer.
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Fax/deliver Seller’s Disclosure to buyer’s agent or buyer upon request and prior to offer if possible.
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Confirm buyer is pre-qualified by calling loan officer.
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Obtain pre-qualification letter on buyer from loan officer.
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Negotiate all offers on seller’s behalf, setting time limit for loan approval and closing date.
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Prepare and convey any counteroffers, acceptance or amendments to buyer’s agent.
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Fax copies of contract and all addendums to closing attorney or title company.
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When Offer-to-Purchase contract is accepted and signed by seller, deliver to buyer’s agent.
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Record and promptly deposit buyer’s money into escrow account.
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Disseminate “Under-Contract Showing Restrictions” as seller requests.
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Deliver copies of fully signed Offer to Purchase contract to sellers.
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Fax/deliver copies of Offer to Purchase contract to selling agent.
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Fax copies of Offer to Purchase contract to lender.
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Provide copies of signed Offer to Purchase contract for office file.
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Advise seller in handling additional offers to purchase submitted between contract and closing.
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Change MLS status to “Sale Pending.”
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Update transaction management program to show “Sale Pending.”
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Review buyer’s credit report results–Advise seller of worst and best case scenarios.
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Provide credit report information to seller if property is to be seller financed.
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Assist buyer with obtaining financing and follow up as necessary.
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Coordinate with lender on discount points being locked in with dates.
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Deliver unrecorded property information to buyer.
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Order septic inspection, if applicable.
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Receive and review septic system report and access any impact on sale.
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Deliver copy of septic system inspection report to lender and buyer.
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Deliver well flow test report copies to lender, buyer and listing file.
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Verify termite inspection ordered.
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Verify mold inspection ordered, if required.
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Tracking the Loan Process
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Confirm return of verifications of deposit and buyer’s employment.
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Follow loan processing through to the underwriter.
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Add lender and other vendors to transaction management program so agents, buyer and seller can track progress of sale.
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Contact lender weekly to ensure processing is on track.
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Relay final approval of buyer’s loan application to seller.
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Home Inspection
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Coordinate buyer’s professional home inspection with seller.
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Review home inspector’s report.
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Enter completion into transaction management tracking software program.
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Explain seller’s responsibilities of loan limits and interpret any clauses in the contract.
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Ensure seller’s compliance with home inspection clause requirements.
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Assist seller with identifying and negotiating with trustworthy contractors for required repairs.
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Negotiate payment and oversee completion of all required repairs on seller’s behalf, if needed.
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The Appraisal
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Schedule appraisal.
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Provide comparable sales used in market pricing to appraiser.
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Follow up on appraisal.
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Enter completion into transaction management program.
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Assist seller in questioning appraisal report if it seems too low.
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Closing Preparations and Duties
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Make sure contract is signed by all parties.
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Coordinate closing process with buyer’s agent and lender.
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Update closing forms and files.
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Ensure all parties have all forms and information needed to close the sale.
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Select location for closing.
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Confirm closing date and time and notify all parties.
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Solve any title problems (boundary disputes, easements, etc.) or in obtaining death certificates.
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Work with buyer’s agent in scheduling and conducting buyer’s final walkthrough prior to closing.
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Research all tax, HOA, utility and other applicable prorations.
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Request final closing figures from closing agent (attorney or title company).
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Receive and carefully review closing figures to ensure accuracy.
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Forward verified closing figures to buyer’s agent.
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Request copy of closing documents from closing agent.
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Confirm the buyer and buyer’s agent received title insurance commitment.
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Provide “Home Owners Warranty” for availability at closing.
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Review all closing documents carefully for errors.
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Forward closing documents to absentee seller as requested.
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Review documents with closing agent (attorney).
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Provide earnest money deposit from escrow account to closing agent.
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Coordinate closing with seller’s next purchase, resolving timing issues.
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Have a “no surprises” closing so that seller receives a net proceeds check at closing.
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Refer sellers to one of the best agents at their destination, if applicable.
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Change MLS status to Sold. Enter sale date, price, selling broker and agent’s ID numbers, etc.
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Close out listing in transaction management program.
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Follow Up After Closing
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Answer questions about filing claims with Home Owner Warranty company, if requested.
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Attempt to clarify and resolve any repair conflicts if buyer is dissatisfied.
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Respond to any follow-up calls and provide any additional information required from office files.
Additional Roles of a Commercial Agent
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Research rental activity in the area for the past 12 months.
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Run comparables in the area to optimally prince your rent.
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Research current land use and zoning.
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Perform exterior curb appeal assessment.
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If necessary provide a list of contractors to perform repairs prior to renting.
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Assemble marketing package and materials.
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Upload listing into the MLS.
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Market your property through multiple channels.
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Generate leads through social media & advertising.
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Show your property to tenants.
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Vet tenants through background and credit checks.
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Investigate prior tenant rental history.
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Verify tenant income.
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Verify tenant employment.
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Review and draft lease for landlord approval.
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Present lease to tenant.
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Negotiate any additional terms.
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Collect security deposit.
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Collect pet deposit if required.
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Arrange cleaning prior to rental.
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Negotiate rental renewals.
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Perform move out walk-throughs and assessment for damages.
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Collect rent.
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Handle maintenance requests.
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Handle emergency repairs.
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Protect you from lawsuits by staying up to date on the latest landlord-tenant laws, rules, and regulations, which can vary by city and state.
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Regular inspections of the property.
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Create monthly income and expenditure reports.
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Provide required tax filing documents.
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Act on your behalf should eviction be required.