5 Things Sellers Should Expect From Their Listing Agent

An expectation is “a belief that someone will or should achieve something” and for home sellers the main expectation they have is their listing agent will sell their home, nothing more, nothing less.

However, is that really all a home seller should expect? Absolutely not! A top Realtor isn’t going to enter a home in the MLS with minimal info, add their iPhone pictures to the listing, sit back, and wait for the home to sell. A top Realtor is going to go above and beyond to do everything in their power to ensure the home sells. Not just for top dollar, but in the shortest amount of time too.

There are many things a listing agent should be doing for a seller. However, aside from selling their home a majority of sellers don’t know what their agent should be doing. So what should my Realtor be doing for me as a seller? Let’s take a look at the top 5 things sellers should expect from their Realtor.

What Exactly Should a Seller Expect?

1. Weekly Communication
A seller should never wonder if their listing agent is still alive and working to sell their home. Once the listing agreement is signed there should be a weekly correspondence between the seller and listing agent. The agent should review marketing, showing feedback, and market conditions, or simply provide a “no update, but I’m working hard to sell your home!”

2. Professional Listing Photos
Camera phones have come a long way and produce pretty good pictures. However, when it comes to selling a home the pictures need to be TOP NOTCH and a camera phone isn’t going to cut it. The listing photos will most likely be a buyer’s first impression of the property. So not only does the quality have to be great, but so do the angles and lighting.

Exterior pictures taken with cars in the driveway or the toilet seat up just aren’t acceptable. Even if the agent decides not to hire a professional photographer or have high-end camera equipment themselves there are so many free programs online where photographs can be enhanced.

However, hiring a professional photographer is the best option and the cost is minimal, usually around $200-$500. This cost is usually paid by the listing agent along with any additional marketing they do.

3. Detailed and Extensive MLS Listing
Listing Agents should never enter the required information in the MLS and stop there. They should fill out every single field and add a detailed description of the home. The description doesn’t have to be over the top, but saying “3/2/2 one-story home in a great neighborhood” isn’t enough.

What are the home’s biggest and best features? Were any renovations done? How old are the appliances, AC, and roof? Anything recently painted? Was new flooring installed? While the pictures may highlight some features buyers want and need to know about home improvements that add value. So having a detailed description is just as important as the photographs.

4. Market Updates
As soon as a new listing hits the market, a home goes under contract or sells in the neighborhood the seller should know. In addition to being updated, they should be provided with the MLS listing too. This way they’ll be able to see how it compares to their home.

Is their home presented better? How is their price in comparison? Is this home renovated? Keeping a seller up to date on the market conditions will not only keep them informed but help set their expectations as well.

5. Global Marketing
Entering a listing into the MLS and relying on syndication to real estate websites is the bare minimum.

While a home being syndicated is a great start top real estate agents will go above and beyond with global online marketing, network marketing, and depending on the type of real estate possibly print advertising too.

Final Thoughts

Yes, the main expectation a seller should have from their listing agent is for their home to be sold. However, how quickly and for how much could easily be determined by how much or how little the listing agent does. Every seller has a choice to hire a top-notch Realtor. One who is going to do all of the above and more or a Realtor who will do the bare minimum, the decision is in their hands.

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Popular Home Selling Questions
What are 11 things your real estate agent should be doing? A real estate agent should be doing at least the following 11 things for a home seller: coming up with a pricing strategy, having a solid marketing plan, home staging advice, creating an engaging listing, handling showings, providing weekly updates, negotiation, provide guidance, oversee all stages of the transaction, coordinate closing and handling any post-sale support.

These are just 11 things your Realtor should be doing, but it’s important to note that these tasks may vary depending on the specific circumstances, market conditions, and the agreed-upon scope of services between the real estate agent and the seller.

How might a seller benefit from using an agent? Sellers can benefit from using a real estate agent in several ways. Firstly, an agent brings expertise and knowledge of the local market, allowing them to provide accurate pricing guidance to help sellers maximize their sale price. Agents also have a wide network and marketing resources to effectively promote the property, attracting more potential buyers. They handle the time-consuming tasks of listing, showing, and coordinating appointments, saving sellers valuable time and effort.

Agents possess negotiation skills to advocate for the seller’s best interests, ensuring favorable terms and conditions in the transaction. Additionally, agents have a thorough understanding of the complex paperwork and legal requirements involved in real estate transactions, minimizing the risk of errors or legal issues. Overall, using an agent can streamline the selling process, provide professional guidance, and increase the likelihood of a successful sale at the best possible price.

What should a real estate sales person include in a listing package? A real estate salesperson should include several key components in a listing package to effectively market a property. Firstly, it should contain detailed information about the property, such as its address, size, layout, amenities, and any notable features. High-quality professional photographs of the property should be included to showcase its appeal. A well-crafted description highlighting the property’s unique selling points and benefits is essential.

The package should also provide relevant market data and comparables to support the pricing strategy. In addition, any necessary disclosures or legal documents should also be included. Overall, a comprehensive listing package should effectively communicate the value and appeal of the property to potential buyers.

What should a home seller not tell the Realtor? The list of what not to tell your Realtor when selling is short. In fact, a list doesn’t exist because in order for a Realtor to best serve their client they need to know as much about the seller’s situation and property as possible.

While you may not want to tell your Realtor why you’re selling or your financial situation it makes it difficult for them to properly advise you if they don’t know your circumstances. So you can certainly keep this information to yourself it could cost you money and time.

About the Author

Top Wellington Realtor, Michelle Gibson, wrote: “5 Things Sellers Should Expect From Their Listing Agent”

Michelle has been specializing in residential real estate since 2001 throughout Wellington Florida and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent she will guide you through the entire real estate transaction. If you’re ready to put Michelle’s knowledge and expertise to work for you call or e-mail her today.

Areas of service include Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, and more.

5 Things Sellers Should Expect From Their Listing Agent