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What Does a REALTOR® Do?

Photo: Blakely Interior Design

What Does a REALTOR® Do? Let’s put the real estate agent role into perspective!

For Sellers – Pre-Listing

  1. Prepare Listing Presentation for Sellers
  2. Research Sellers Property Tax Info
  3. Research Comparable Sold Properties for Sellers
  4. Determine Average Days on Market
  5. Gather Info From Sellers About Their Home
  6. Meet With Sellers at Their Home
  7. Get To Know Their Home
  8. Present Listing Presentation
  9. Advise on Repairs and/or Upgrades
  10. Provide Home Seller To-Do Checklist
  11. Explain Current Market Conditions
  12. Discuss Seller’s Goals
  13. Share Your Value Proposition
  14. Explain Benefits of Your Brokerage
  15. Present Your Marketing Options
  16. Explain Video Marketing Strategies
  17. Demonstrate 3D Tour Marketing
  18. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
  19. Describe the Buyer Pre-Screening Process
  20. Create Internal File for Transaction
  21. Get Listing Agreement & Disclosures Signed
  22. Provide Sellers Disclosure Form to Sellers

For Sellers – Listing

  1. Verify Interior Room Sizes
  2. Obtain Current Mortgage Loan Info
  3. Confirm Lot Size from County Tax Records
  4. Investigate Any Unrecorded Property Easements
  5. Establish Showing Instructions for Buyers
  6. Agree on Showing Times with Sellers
  7. Discuss Different Types of Buyer Financing
  8. Explain Appraisal Process and Pitfalls
  9. Verify Home Owners Association Fees
  10. Obtain a Copy of HOA Bylaws
  11. Gather Transferable Warranties
  12. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
  13. Verify Security System Ownership
  14. Discuss Video Recording Devices & Showings
  15. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
  16. Agree on Repairs to Made Before Listing
  17. Schedule Staging Consultation
  18. Schedule House Cleaners
  19. Install Electronic Lockbox & Yard Sign
  20. Set-Up Photo/Video Shoot
  21. Meet Photographer at Property
  22. Prepare Home For Photographer
  23. Schedule Drone & 3D Tour Shoot
  24. Get Seller’s Approval of All Marketing Materials
  25. Input Property Listing Into The MLS
  26. Create Virtual Tour Page
  27. Verify Listing Data on 3rd Party Websites
  28. Have Listing Proofread
  29. Create Property Flyer
  30. Have Extra Keys Made for Lockbox
  31. Set-Up Showing Services
  32. Help Owners Coordinate Showings
  33. Gather Feedback After Each Showing
  34. Keep track of Showing Activity
  35. Update MLS Listing as Needed
  36. Schedule Weekly Update Calls with Seller
  37. Prepare “Net Sheet” For All Offers
  38. Present All Offers to Seller
  39. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Buyer’s Agent
  40. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Qualifications
  41. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Lender
  42. Negotiate All Offers

For Sellers – Post-Contract

  1. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
  2. Check Buyer’s Agent Has Received Copies
  3. Change Property Status in MLS
  4. Deliver Copies of Contact/Addendum to Seller
  5. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
  6. Coordinate Inspections with Sellers
  7. Explain Buyer’s Inspection Objections to Sellers
  8. Determine Seller’s Inspection Resolution
  9. Get All Repair Agreements in Writing
  10. Refer Trustworthy Contractors to Sellers
  11. Meet Appraiser at the Property
  12. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
  13. Confirm Clear-to-Close
  14. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
  15. Verify Title Company Has All Docs
  16. Remind Sellers to Transfer Utilities
  17. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
  18. Resolve Any Title Issues Before Closing
  19. Receive and Carefully Review Closing Docs
  20. Review Closing Figures With Seller
  21. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made
  22. Resolve Any Last Minute Issues
  23. Attend Seller’s Closing
  24. Pick Up Sign & Lock Box
  25. Change Status in MLS to “Sold.”
  26. Close Out Seller’s File With Brokerage

For Buyers – Pre-Home Search

  1. Schedule Time To Meet Buyers
  2. Prepare Buyers Guide & Presentation
  3. Meet Buyers and Discuss Their Goals
  4. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
  5. Discuss Different Types of Financing Options
  6. Help Buyers Find a Mortgage Lender
  7. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Their Lender
  8. Explain What You Do For Buyers As A Realtor
  9. Provide Overview of Current Market Conditions
  10. Explain Your Company’s Value to Buyers
  11. Discuss Earnest Money Deposits
  12. Explain Home Inspection Process
  13. Educate Buyers About Local Neighborhoods
  14. Discuss Foreclosures & Short Sales
  15. Gather Needs & Wants Of Their Next Home
  16. Explain School Districts Effect on Home Values
  17. Explain Recording Devices During Showings
  18. Learn All Buyer Goals & Make A Plan
  19. Create Internal File for Buyers Records
  20. Send Buyers Homes Within Their Criteria
  21. Start Showing Buyers Home That They Request

For Buyers – Home Search

  1. Schedule & Organize All Showings
  2. Gather Showing Instructions for Each Listing
  3. Send Showing Schedule to Buyers
  4. Show Up Early and Prepare First Showing
  5. Look For Possible Repair Issues While Showing
  6. Gather Buyer Feedback After Each Showing
  7. Update Buyers When New Homes Hit the Market
  8. Share Knowledge & Insight About Homes
  9. Guide Buyers Through Their Emotional Journey
  10. Listen & Learn From Buyers At Each Showing
  11. Keep Records of All Showings
  12. Update Listing Agents with Buyer’s Feedback
  13. Discuss Home Owner’s Associations
  14. Estimate Expected Utility Usage Costs
  15. Confirm Water Source and Status
  16. Discuss Transferable Warranties
  17. Explain Property Appraisal Process
  18. Discuss Multiple Offer Situations
  19. Create Practice Offer To Help Buyers Prepare
  20. Provide Updated Housing Market Data to Buyers
  21. Inform Buyers of Their Showing Activity Weekly
  22. Update Buyers On Any Price Drops
  23. Discuss MLS Data With Buyers At Showings
  24. Find the Right Home for Buyers
  25. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
  26. Prepare Sales Contract When Buyers are Ready
  27. Educate Buyer’s On Sales Contract Options
  28. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
  29. Explain Home Warranty Options
  30. Update Buyer’s Pre-Approval Letter
  31. Discuss Loan Objection Deadlines
  32. Choose a Closing Date
  33. Verify Listing Data Is Correct
  34. Review Comps With Buyers To Determine Value
  35. Prepare & Submit Buyer’s Offer to Listing Agent
  36. Negotiate Buyers Offer With Listing Agent
  37. Execute A Sales Contract & Disclosures

For Buyers – Post-Contract

  1. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
  2. Coordinate Earnest Money Drop Off
  3. Deliver Copies to Mortgage Lender
  4. Obtain Copy of Sellers Disclosure for Buyers
  5. Deliver Copies of Contract/Addendum to Buyers
  6. Obtain A Copy of HOA Bylaws
  7. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
  8. Coordinate Inspections with Buyers
  9. Meet Inspector At The Property
  10. Review Home Inspection with Buyers
  11. Negotiate Inspection Objections
  12. Get All Agreed Upon Repair Items in Writing
  13. Verify any Existing Lease Agreements
  14. Check In With Lender To Verify Loan Status
  15. Check on the Appraisal Date
  16. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
  17. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
  18. Make Sure All Documents Are Fully Signed
  19. Verify Title Company Has Everything Needed
  20. Remind Buyers to Schedule Utilities
  21. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
  22. Solve Any Title Problems Before Closing
  23. Receive and Review Closing Documents
  24. Review Closing Figures With Buyers
  25. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made By Sellers
  26. Perform Final Walk-Through with Buyers
  27. Resolve Any Last Minute Issues
  28. Get CDA Signed By Brokerage
  29. Attend Closing with Buyers
  30. Provide Home Warranty Paperwork
  31. Give Keys and Accessories to Buyers
  32. Close Out Buyer’s File Brokerage

Kimmer Plunk

Based in Memphis and serving clients in West Tennessee and Northwest Mississippi. Serving others is a reward of its own and part of what makes me happy, and I've been doing that for 30 years through various activities including Girl Scouts, PTO, various board positions, unhoused ministry, and professional, award-winning teaching. I treat others the way that I want to be treated including being readily available, listening to your desires, answering your questions thoroughly, and walking you through the home purchase process. My ultimate goal is to see that you find the home of your dreams and experience the least amount of stress during the process.

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