Keys to Success: What Your Real Estate Agent brings to the table

Original Content by Carl Johnson

The buying of a home is often the largest purchase someone will make their entire life. And not only is the purchase of a home a major investment, it is not done often. The average American will buy/sell only three homes in their lifetime (How many houses does the average person own? (2024) (ngontinh24.com)). For these reasons it is important to have not only a knowledgeable Real Estate Agent who stays up to date on the real estate process, as well as have a Real Estate Agent that is trusted. In this article we will cover the true Value Proposition of a Real Estate Agent, and how we are here to help you. 

Real Estate Done Right - The Legal Side of Real Estate

First and foremost a Real Estate Agent is here to make sure you and the home you are selling or buying is done in a transaction that is smooth for all parties involved. There can be no cutting corners and even unintentional mistakes can make the process complicated. 

Here is a list of ways a Real Estate Agent is here to help make sure everything is done right for you right from the start. The following items are to be done before a listing even hits the market: 

• Research and verify legal description
• Research property’s land use coding and deed restrictions
• Research property’s current use and zoning
• Verify legal names of owner(s) in county’s public property records
• Review Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) Report from Township for all permitted records
• Review and explain all clauses in listing contract and addendum, then obtain seller’s signature once property is under listing agreement
• Review current title information
• Note all unrecorded property liens, agreements, easements
• Order copy of Homeowner Association bylaws, if applicable
• Ascertain need for lead-based paint disclosure
• Enter property data from Profile Sheet into Local MLS Broker Marketplaces Database
• Provide seller copies of the listing agreement and Local MLS Broker Marketplaces Profile Sheet within 48 hours or within the time period of Local MLS Broker Marketplace guidelines

We make it our mission to ensure that everything is done correctly and in a timely manner. We do not want any details to hold up a sale or offer, this is especially important in the Real Estate world as transactions happen fast.

When it comes to writing offers and the actual transaction of the property, a Real Estate Agent’s value is truly priceless. Here is a list of ways a Real Estate Agent is here for you to make sure offers and transactions are done correctly the first time:

• Receive and review all Offer to Purchase contracts submitted by buyers’ agents
• Contact buyers’ agents to review buyer’s qualifications and discuss offer
• Deliver Seller’s Disclosure to buyer upon request and prior to offer if possible. Upload to the Local MLS Broker Marketplaces additional documents at time of listing
• Confirm buyer is pre-qualified by calling loan officer
• Obtain buyers’ pre-qualification letter from loan officer if not submitted with offer
• Negotiate all offers per seller’s direction on seller’s behalf, set time limit for loan approval and closing
•  Prepare and convey counteroffers, acceptance or amendments to buyer’s agent
• Email or send copies of contract and all addenda to the closing attorney or title company
• When Offer to Purchase contract is accepted, deliver to buyer’s agent
• Record and promptly deposit buyer’s earnest money in escrow account
• Disseminate under-contract showing restrictions as seller requests
• Deliver copies of fully signed Offer to Purchase contract to seller 
• Deliver copies of Offer to Purchase contract to lender
• Provide copies of signed Offer to Purchase contract for office file
• Advise seller of additional offers submitted between contract and closing
• Change status in Local MLS Broker Marketplaces to Sale Pending 
• Update transaction management program to show Sale Pending 
• Provide credit report information to seller if property will be seller financed
• Assist buyer with obtaining financing, if applicable, and follow-up as necessary
• Coordinate with lender on discount points being locked in with date

After making it through the listing of the home and the battle of offers, when it comes to closing on the property it should be stress and worry free for our buyers and sellers. As a Real Estate Professional we handle the inspections and closings on the property so all you have to do is sign! Below are ways a Real Estate Agent makes sure the property is inspected and closed in a correct and safe manner so there are no hold ups for our clients:

• Deliver unrecorded property information to buyer
• Deliver copy of septic system inspection report lender and buyer 
• Deliver Well Flow Test Report copies to lender and buyer, and property listing file
• Verify termite inspection ordered 
• Verify mold inspection ordered, if required 
• Confirm verifications of deposit and buyer’s employment have been returned 
• Follow loan processing through to the underwriter
• Add lender and other vendors to your management program so agents, buyer, and seller can track progress of sale 
• Contact lender weekly to ensure processing is on track 
• Relay final approval of buyer’s loan application to seller
• Enter completion into transaction management tracking program 
• Explain seller’s responsibilities, and recommend an attorney interpret any clauses in the contract 
• Ensure seller’s compliance with Home Inspection Clause requirements 
• Assist seller with identifying contractors to perform any required repairs
• Get contract signed by all parties 
• Coordinate closing process with buyer’s agent and lender 
• Update closing forms and files
• Ensure all parties have all forms and information needed to close the sale
• Assist in solving any title problems or in obtaining death certificates 
• Work with buyer’s agent in scheduling buyer’s final walk-thru prior to closing 
• Double check all tax, homeowners’ association dues, utility, and applicable prorations
• Request final closing figures from closing agent (attorney or title company
• Receive and carefully review closing figures to ensure accuracy of preparation 
• Confirm buyer and buyer’s agent have received title insurance commitment 
• Provide homeowners warranty for availability at closing 
• Forward closing documents to absentee seller as requested 
• Review documents with closing agent (attorney) 
• Coordinate closing with seller’s next purchase, and resolve any timing problems 
• Have a no-surprises closing so seller receives a net-proceeds check at closing

In the end, we want our clients to have a great experience from the start to finish and make it a priority of ours that things are correct to save you time and stress in a process that is otherwise all hustle and bustle. As a Real Estate Professional our knowledge and trust when it comes to all matters and the sale of a property are priceless. 

Our Value Gets More Value On Your Property

 The value of a Real Estate Agent, when it comes to getting your home in front of the right buyers can not go unnoted. We take all of the right steps to make sure your home is marketed at the highest level of professional advertising. The following are some of the steps we take to make sure your home is listed as to get you the best offers out there: (most properties we list receive the following)

• Marketing across all social media platforms
• Custom built webpage
• Printed hardcopy listing booklet* (*for our Signature Listings)
• Unique House Talk Cards through home highlighting features
• Video walkthrough tour
• Email blast to other local agents
• Position the property in a place of strength in the marketplace
• Discuss goals with seller to market effectively  and learn all details about the property from the seller.
• Explain market power and benefits of Local MLS Broker Marketplaces 
• Explain market power of web marketing, IDX and REALTOR.com 
• Other behind the scenes work and inform you of our availability on weekends
• Screen qualified buyers and protect seller from curiosity seekers
• Place Homeowner Warranty in property file for conveyance at time of sale 
• Key for lockbox
• Arrange for installation of yard sign 
• Complete new listing checklist 
• Prepare mailing and contact list
• Generate mail-merge letters to contact list 
• Prepare fliers and feedback reports
• Upload listing to company and agent Internet site, if applicable 
• Advise network referral program of listing 
• Provide marketing data to buyers through international relocation network buyers
• Provide marketing data to buyers coming from referral network

Outside of general marketing we also work with our clients to make the property as presentable as possible. The following are ways we can help increase your list price:

• Review curb appeal assessment and provide suggestions to improve saleability
• Review interior décor assessment and suggest changes to shorten time on market
• Suggest local designers/painters/landscapers if interested
• Provide information on popular fresh paint colors
• Review any possible updates that may yield a increase in sale price

We Are Here For You - Let Us Help You Win

At the end of the day we want our clients to have a smooth road to the closing table, while we put in a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure everyone wins on all fronts. From making sure the home is listed correctly, that all offers and contracts are done correctly, and to marketing your home and getting in the right hands, we want you to sit back and relax while you realize the value proposition we offer as a Professional Real Estate Agent.

CLICK HERE to read about some of the great services we offer our sellers. Or if you want to learn more about us from a buyer perspective, CLICK HERE, to read our Buyer Q&A. At Carl Johnson Real Estate, we are your trusted advisors for all things home related. Thank you, our clients, for your trust and friendship! 

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