So you want to buy or sell a home? Wondering if your should use a Realtor? Wondering what the heck a Realtor does anyway?
Unlike other jobs, a Realtor works for free and doesn’t get rewarded with the hard-earned paycheck unless and until the sale closes, which is typically 45-60 days after an offer has been accepted . Here is a simplified list of what a Realtor does:
- Research comparable properties and compile listing presentations.
- Educate buyers and sellers of current market conditions.
- Verify property details: lot size, taxes, utilities, restrictions, etc.
- Input listings/data into numerous MLS databases, and several other websites.
- Create and pay for newspaper ads, flyers & promotional materials
- Host & promote Open Houses.
- Counsel people, listen to their needs and wants, worries and concerns
- Communicate with co-op agents and brokers, title agencies, home inspectors, home appraisers, pest inspectors, well & septic inspectors and loan officers. This includes phone calls and emails and we must keep all communications organized too.
- Help stage homes for open house, showings and photos
- Schedule and attend the home inspection.
- Schedule multiple showings and spend countless hours driving and showing homes.
- Check and respond to online inquiries, social media and website alerts, and hundreds of emails daily.
- Receive and respond to dozens of phone calls and text messages, daily.
- Attend continuing education classes every year, and stay current with the ever-changing rules and laws within the real estate industry.
- Spend countless hours hunched over a computer researching, marketing and filling out paperwork.
- Review closing costs and prepare clients for the closing.
- Organize, complete, and review hundreds of pieces of paperwork per client.
- Never “punch out” and basically remain “on call” every day, all day. During weekends, holidays, and vacations too! (We love it or we wouldn’t do it)
- Suggest curb appeal enhancements or home updates/upgrades.
- Request feedback from buyer’s agents, and often times we hunt them down just to get it, and leave feedback after showing homes to our own buyers.
- Stay educated on market values, comps and suggest price changes when needed.
- Receive and present offers to sellers.
- Execute and provide expert advice on offers for buyers/sellers.
- Negotiate counteroffers. Re-Negotiate, and sometimes re-negotiate again. This also includes getting addendums and amendments drafted and signed for each re-negotiation.
- Coordinate details with lenders and closing companies, often troubleshooting issues without the client knowing
- Arrange appraisal. Pull comps and meet with appraiser. Stay patient for at least a week while anxiously waiting for the appraisal report.
- (Best of all) Experiencing the joy with clients when they sell a home or buy a home and knowing all the hard work and stress was worth it in the end.
There you go. A short list on what a Realtor can do for you. What can you do for your Realtor, you ask? Refer Refer Refer. A glowing review and referral from a satisfied client is the best way to thank a Realtor for a job well done.
