100 Things Listing Agents Do for Their Clients
In the wake of the NAR settlement announcement, last month we published an article detailing 100 of the many things that buyer's agents do for their clients. The idea was to hype up buyer's agents during a challenging time and help them navigate conversations when faced with remarks like, "What do real estate agents even do anyway?" But buyer's agents aren't the only ones who get asked that question. So today, we've rounded up a list of 100 things that listing agents do for their clients. Like the original article, this list is written as if consumers are reading it, so please feel free to copy and paste this anywhere that it's helpful — on your website, into presentations, your email newsletter, and beyond! Pre-Listing Activities Schedule an initial consultation to understand seller's goals and timeline Conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to determine competitive listing price Research recent sales of similar properties in the area Analyze current market trends and adjust pricing strategy accordingly Provide recommendations for improvements to enhance curb appeal and marketability Stage the property to showcase its best features and maximize appeal to buyers Advise on decluttering and depersonalization to create a neutral space Coordinate professional photography and potentially virtual tours with high-quality visuals Draft a compelling property description highlighting key features, benefits, and lifestyle factors Prepare marketing materials, including flyers, brochures, social media posts, and targeted online advertisements Review and finalize listing agreements, explaining terms and agent compensation Schedule open houses and manage logistics (signage, refreshments, crowd control) Market the property through MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and various online platforms Target marketing efforts to reach qualified buyers in the right demographic Network with other agents to generate interest and potential buyer leads Pre-screen potential buyers to ensure they are qualified and serious Conduct property showings and manage scheduling efficiently Accompany buyers during showings, answering questions and highlighting property features Provide feedback to sellers after showings and keep them informed of buyer interest Obtain feedback from buyers to understand their perspectives and adjust marketing strategy if needed Research and suggest comparable properties for buyers considering your seller's listing Advise sellers on the pros and cons of different pricing strategies (fixed price vs. open bidding) Help sellers understand the role of disclosures required by law in different areas Coordinate staging consultations with professional stagers if needed Advise on cost-effective repairs or upgrades that can significantly improve marketability Help sellers understand tax implications of selling a property (capital gains tax) Connect sellers with reputable lawyers and tax professionals if needed Advise on potential closing costs sellers may incur Explain the role of title companies and the title search process Help sellers understand homeowner's association (HOA) fees and disclosures they need to provide to the buyer Assist sellers in gathering pre-listing documents (property deeds, surveys, etc.) Advise sellers on homeowner's insurance considerations (coverage options, potential changes) Help sellers with budgeting for pre-listing repairs and improvements Connect sellers with reliable moving companies for potential post-sale relocation Provide referrals for home warranty companies for post-sale coverage options Offer guidance on navigating the emotional aspects of selling a home Help sellers stage specific rooms to maximize their appeal (kitchen, bathrooms) Advise on landscaping improvements to enhance curb appeal and outdoor space Coordinate minor touch-up repairs to address cosmetic issues Help sellers declutter efficiently and find storage solutions if needed Provide tips on preparing the home for professional photography Advise on staging techniques to create a welcoming and spacious feel Help sellers identify target buyers to tailor marketing efforts Utilize social media platforms effectively to reach potential buyers Respond promptly to online inquiries and buyer agent communication Track online listing performance and adjust marketing strategies as needed Provide sellers with market updates and ongoing industry insights Maintain clear and consistent communication with sellers throughout the process Be available to answer seller questions and address concerns promptly Hold pre-listing meetings to discuss expectations and answer any last-minute questions Offer Negotiation Review all offers with sellers and explain the strengths and weaknesses of each Negotiate on behalf of the seller to achieve the best possible price and terms Counter offers strategically to improve the seller's position Advise on counteroffer terms such as closing date, repairs, concessions, and financing contingencies Communicate effectively with the buyer's agent to bridge the gap and reach an agreement Manage communication and expectations between seller and buyer throughout negotiations Explain the concept of "highest and best" offers and advise sellers on responding strategically Help sellers understand financing contingencies and potential delays in the closing process Negotiate on repairs requested by the buyer based on the inspection report Advise on inspection negotiation strategies to protect the seller's interests Advocate for the seller's best interests while maintaining a professional and ethical approach Keep the negotiation process moving forward efficiently Help sellers understand the concept of "escalation clauses" and their implications Advise sellers on when to walk away from negotiations if terms are not favorable Celebrate a successful offer acceptance with the seller! Review the purchase agreement thoroughly with the seller and explain each clause Advise on potential counter-offers from other buyers if the initial offer has contingencies Help sellers navigate the process of withdrawing acceptance if needed due to unforeseen circumstances Liaise with the escrow officer to ensure a smooth transition into escrow Coordinate with the buyer's agent on deadlines and document exchange Advise sellers on potential challenges with financing contingencies and suggest solutions Help sellers understand homeowner's insurance requirements and navigate obtaining coverage Advise on potential appraisal gaps and strategies to address them Negotiate with the buyer's agent on behalf of the seller if the appraisal comes in lower than expected Keep all parties informed and manage expectations throughout the under-contract phase Under Contract and Closing Coordinate with the buyer's agent to schedule inspections (home, pest, radon, etc.) Assist sellers in gathering necessary documents for closing (title, permits, occupancy certificates) Liaise with the escrow officer to ensure a smooth closing process Advise sellers on potential challenges with appraisals and suggest solutions Help sellers understand the timeline and milestones leading up to closing Answer seller questions and concerns regarding the contract and closing process Coordinate any necessary repairs identified during inspections with qualified contractors Manage communication with all parties involved (buyer, buyer's agent, escrow, title company) Review closing documents with the seller and explain each section thoroughly Advise on potential homeowner's association (HOA) move-in/move-out procedures Help sellers understand homeowner's insurance policy changes and potential costs Coordinate the transfer of utilities and services to the buyer Advise on prorating property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and other closing costs Attend the closing and ensure all paperwork is signed correctly on behalf of the seller Help sellers navigate the process of forwarding mail and updating relevant accounts Connect sellers with moving companies or provide recommendations for relocation services Assist sellers with the final walkthrough of the property before closing Provide guidance on post-closing tasks such as transferring warranties and registrations Offer continued support and answer questions even after the closing Maintain a positive relationship with the seller and potentially represent them in future transactions Follow up with the seller after closing to ensure a smooth transition Request feedback from the seller to improve future client experiences Utilize the successful closing as a marketing tool to showcase expertise Stay updated on market trends and legal changes to provide the best service to future clients Continually develop professional skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the curve in the real estate industry And there it is — 100 things listing agents do for their clients. If you share this list, feel free to edit as needed. After all, you may not do everything on this list, and there are probably several things you do do that aren't listed. Related reading 100 Things Buyer's Agents Do for Their Clients Price It Right: 3 Scripts to Guide Sellers Away from Overpricing Pitfalls 40 Tools, Tips and Scripts for Finding More Listings

Upfront, Maverick Systems, The Studio Home, and Billions Join Equity Angels' First Proptech Cohort
New accelerator focuses on supporting real estate technology startups with diverse leadership BELLEVUE, Wash., May 28, 2024 -- Equity Angels, a social impact organization dedicated to fostering fair access to innovation and opportunity, names the 2024 cohort for its first-ever accelerator program. Upfront provides innovative financial solutions for agents and brokers, The Studio Home leverages Web3 visualization for curated home furnishings, Maverick Systems optimizes big data analytics for agent acquisition and retention, and BILLIONS specializes in streamlining operational solutions for high-performing teams. The founders of these startups include some of the most seasoned and unique tech entrepreneurs in real estate today. One such founder is Diana Zaya of Maverick Systems, whose father was raised in a minimalist "mud hut" in Syria, but with hopes of finding a more fulfilling life. After receiving his degree in engineering, he immigrated to the U.S. to start his family. Raised with this dedication to achievement, Diana has established a performance-based system for recruiting and retaining real estate agents. She is positioned to dramatically improve how the industry optimizes big data analytics to enhance brokerage growth strategies. "With such a diverse and seasoned group of founders, we're all learning so much from one another," remarked Equity Angels Founder Kenya Burrell-VanWormer. "We're honored to work with such inspiring founders and look forward to helping grow their businesses through our accelerator program." Upfront Founder Mukund Venkatakrishnan is a recent Harvard graduate who launched his first tech company at 17 and a real estate brokerage by 20. His co-founder Pierre Calzadilla brings extensive real estate expertise, having built and scaled growth teams at Trulia, RealScout and Local Logic. Together, they are leveraging their combined experience to create innovative solutions that financially empower agents and brokers in the real estate industry. The Studio Home Founder Nicole McGuire's passion for modernizing the homebuilding industry stems from her experience working with her family's 80-year-old construction company. She partners with homebuilders to offer curated furniture collections seamlessly integrating with their home designs. Leveraging Web3, she creates aspirational living experiences that buyers can easily envision, personalize and purchase with just a few mouse clicks. Andrew Becker founded The MacDonald/Becker Real Estate Team over a decade ago, and as a rapidly growing broker, experienced problems integrating numerous technology platforms. Overwhelmed by the proliferation of lead generation, transaction and CRM solutions, he teamed up with seasoned enterprise technology leader and co-founder Amber Milks to launch BILLIONS, a real estate operations platform focused on high-performing real estate teams that brings the entire customer journey together to maximize productivity and margin. "We're impressed by the caliber of visionaries that have applied for our first-year programs. In addition to our accelerator, we've accepted a few founders into our fractional executive program to provide advisory work for startups building new solutions to very big problems in the industry, including the housing affordability crisis," added Equity Angels Founder, Katherine Winston. "The future of a more diverse proptech ecosystem is looking very bright."