​Ever wonder what your listing agent does for you when they sell your home?  This list is from the Maryland Association of Realtors, and it is LEGIT!  We do all these things and more! 

Prelisting Activities:
1.​ Make appointment with seller for listing presentation, send a written letter or e-mail confirmation of appointment and call to confirm.
2. Review appointment questions.
3 Research “average days on market” for properties similar in type, price and location.
4 Download and review property tax information.
5 Prepare Estimated Sellers Net Sheet reflecting market conditions.
6 Verify legal names of owner(s) in county’s public property records.
7 Perform exterior “curb appeal assessment” of subject property.
8 Compile and assemble formal file on property.
 Prepare listing presentation package with above materials.
10 Show sellers how to confirm current public schools and discuss potential impact on market value.11 Review listing appointment checklist to ensure completion of all tasks.

LISTING APPOINTMENT PRESENTATION
12 Give seller an overview of current market conditions.
13 Review agent and company credentials and accomplishments.
14 Present company’s profile and position or “niche” in the marketplace.
15 Present Estimated Sellers Net Sheet reflecting market conditions (to give the Sellers an idea of their “bottom line”).
16 Offer professional pricing strategy based and interpretation of current market conditions.
17 Discuss goals to market effectively.
18 Explain the work the broker and agent do “behind the scenes” and agent’s availability on weekends and holidays.
19 Explain agent’s role in screening qualified buyers to protect against curiosity seekers, if appropriate.
20 Present and discuss strategic master marketing plan.
21 Explain different agency relationships and determine seller’s preference.
22 Review all clauses in listing contract and obtain all seller’s signature(s).

AFTER LISTING AGREEMENT IS SIGNED
23 Note any and all recorded property lines, agreements, easements, if provided by seller.
24 Obtain & review house plans, if applicable and available.
25 Ascertain need for lead-based paint disclosure.
26 Prepare showing instructions for buyers’ agents and agree on showing time with seller(s).
27 Ask seller to verify current loan information with lender(s).
28 Ask seller to check assumability of loan(s) and any special requirements.
29 Discuss possible buyer financing alternatives and options with seller. 30 Review current appraisal if available.
31 Identify Condominium or Homeowner Association manager(s), if applicable.
32 Discuss with seller the requirement to provide a Condominium or Homeowner’s Association Resale Package; discuss the timing of when the package may be ordered and the associated costs.
33 Assist seller in ordering, or order directly, the Condominium or Homeowner’s Association Resale Package.
34 Advise client to research/verify natural gas availability, supplier’s name and phone number.
35 Advise client to verify security system, term of service and whether owned or leased.
36 Advise client to verify terms of service for propane gas tanks, solar panels, or any other fixtures or personal property items that may convey, whether owned or leased, and whether such agreements are transferable.
37 Verify if seller has transferable Termite or Wood Destroying Insects Warranty.
38 Complete list of completed repairs and maintenance items.
39 Advise client to complete “Vacancy Checklist” if property is vacant. 40 Explain what a home warranty is, the different types of coverage that may be available, and the potential benefits of having a home warranty in place during the listing period.
41 If seller chooses to purchase a home warranty, advise seller to submit home warranty application or assist seller in submitting the application.
42 When received, place home warranty documentation in property file for possible transfer to buyer at time of sale.
43 Have extra key made for lockbox.
44 Make copies of all leases for retention in listing file. Request copies of rental housing registration(s), if required under local law.
45 Verify all rents and deposits.
46 Inform tenants of listing and discuss how showings will be handled. Provide any notices to tenants that may be required by local law.
47 Arrange for yard sign installation.
48 Complete “New Listing Checklist.”
49 Review results of Curb Appeal & Interior Décor Assessment with seller and suggest improvements for salability.

ENTERING PROPERTY IN MLS DATABASE
50 Prepare MLS Profile Sheet–agent is responsible for “quality control” and accuracy of listing data.
51 Enter property data from Profile Sheet into MLS listing database.
52 Proofread MLS database listing for accuracy, including property placement in mapping function.
53 Add property to company’s Active Listings.
54 Provide seller with signed copies of Listing Agreement and MLS Profile Data Form.
55 Take additional photos for upload into MLS and use in flyers.

MARKETING THE LISTING
56 Create print and online ads with seller’s input.
57 Coordinate showings, broker’s opens and open houses with owners, tenants and other agents. Promptly return all calls–weekends included. 58 Install lockbox. Program with agreed-upon showing time windows. 59 Prepare mail/email and contact list.
60 Generate emails/letters to contact list.
61 Order “Just Listed” labels and reports.
62 Prepare flyers and feedback forms.
63 Review comparable MLS listings regularly to ensure property remains competitive in price, terms, conditions and availability.
64 Place marketing brochures in all company agent mailboxes.
65 Upload listing to company and agent websites, if applicable.
66 Mail “Just Listed” postcard to all neighborhood residents, if agreed to as part of marketing plan.
67 Advise Network Referral Program of listing.
68 Provide marketing data to buyers from relocation networks.
69 Provide “Special Feature” postcards for marketing, if applicable.
70 Submit ads to company’s participating Internet real estate sites, if applicable.
71 Reprint/supply brochures promptly, as needed.
72 Review and update property information in MLS, as required.
​73 Send feedback e-mails to buyers’ agents after showings; follow up if feedback not received.
74 Review weekly Market Study.
75 Discuss feedback from showing agents with seller to determine if changes will accelerate the sale.
76 Place regular weekly update calls to seller to discuss marketing and pricing.
77 Promptly enter price changes in MLS listings database.

THE OFFER AND THE CONTRACT
78 Receive and review all offers submitted by buyers or buyers’ agents.
79 Evaluate offer(s) and prepare “net sheet” on each for owner to compare.
80 Present all offers to seller in full and in writing. Explain strengths and weakness of each component of each offer to assist seller in making a decision.
81 Contact buyers’ agent to review buyer’s qualifications and discuss offer.
82 Email/deliver Seller’s Disclosure to buyer’s agent or buyer upon request and prior to offer, if possible.
83 Prepare and deliver any counteroffers, acceptance or amendments to buyer’s agent.
84 When offer is accepted and signed by seller, deliver the contract to buyer’s agent.
85 Make sure contract is signed by all parties.
86 Email copies of contract and all addenda to closing attorney or title company.
87 Record and promptly deposit buyer’s earnest money deposit into escrow account.
88 Disseminate “Under-Contract Showing Restrictions” as seller requests.
89 Deliver copies of fully signed contract to sellers.
90 Email/deliver copies of contract to lender, if necessary.
91 Provide copies of signed contract for office file.
92 Advise seller about options contained in listing agreement about handling additional offers to purchase submitted between contract and closing.
93 Change MLS status to reflect current status.
94 Provide credit report information to seller or provide seller with information on how to obtain credit report information if the property is to be seller financed.

AS A BUYER’S AGENT
95 Assist buyer with obtaining financing, if necessary; follow up with buyer and lender, if appropriate, to ensure transaction is progressing as planned.
96 Coordinate with lender on discount points being locked in with dates to ensure compliance with timeframes established in Contract.
97 Deliver to buyer any unrecorded property information provided by seller or listing agent.
98 Discuss possible need for septic/well inspection, if applicable.
99 Receive and review septic system report, discuss with buyer, and access any impact on sale.

TRACKING THE LOAN PROCESS
100 Confirm return of verifications of deposit and buyer’s employment. 101 Follow loan processing through to the underwriter.
102 Add lender and other vendors to transaction management program so agents, buyer and seller can track progress of sale.
103 Maintain regular contact with lender to ensure processing is on track.
104 Relay final approval of buyer’s loan application to listing agent.

HOME OR OTHER INSPECTIONS
105 Coordinate buyer’s professional home inspection or other agreed upon inspections with seller, if applicable.
106 Review home or other inspector’s report, discuss with buyer, make any requests for repair consistent with home inspection addendum.
107 Ensure seller’s compliance with home inspection addendum requirements.
108 Consistent with State law, confirm Contractor’s license is in good standing with appropriate governing bodies, if recommending a contractor to clients for required repairs.
109 Confirm with seller the completion of all required repairs, if needed.

THE APPRAISAL
110 Provide comparable sales used in market pricing to appraiser.
111 Follow up on appraisal.

CLOSING PREPARATIONS AND DUTIES
112 Coordinate closing process with buyer’s agent and lender.
113 Update closing forms and files.
114 Ensure all parties have all forms and information needed to close the sale.
115 Confirm buyer has chosen location for closing.
116 Confirm closing date and time and notify all parties.
117 Work with buyer’s agent in scheduling and conducting buyer’s final walkthrough prior to closing.
118 Request final closing figures from closing agent (attorney or title company).
119 Receive and carefully review Closing Disclosure/Settlement Statement to ensure accuracy and compliance with terms of the Contract.
120 Request copy of closing documents from closing agent.
121 Confirm the buyer and buyer’s agent received title insurance commitment.
122 Provide “Home Owners Warranty” for availability at closing.
123 Assist title company by forwarding closing documents to absentee seller, if appropriate.
124 Have client review documents with closing agent (attorney).
125 Provide earnest money deposit from escrow account to closing agent (attorney).
126 Advise Seller to bring all keys (doors, mailbox, shed), remotes/garage openers, checkbook, etc. to closing.
127 Have a “no surprises” closing so that seller receives a net proceeds check or has net proceeds wired at closing.
128 Change MLS status to Sold. Enter sale date, price, selling broker and agent’s ID numbers, etc.

FOLLOW UP AFTER CLOSING
129 Respond to any follow-up calls or emails and provide any additional information required from office files.
130 Order wood post sign down, collect riders and remove lockbox. 131 Scan in executed Closing Disclosure/Settlement Statement and send to client at the new year as a courtesy for tax purposes.
132 Help buyer or seller purchase next property!

You know, the National Association of Realtors does work to protect the integrity of real estate.  With all this talk about the new tax reform from our President, it has farther reaching implications than you realize.  Do you know how it would affect you?  

Check out this comprehensive list put out by the NAR:

The National Association of Realtors is OPPOSED to the tax reform legislation unveiled in the House last week. NAR will be actively pursuing means to prevent this from happening. You the public through the CFA partnership  can click on this link and take action. 

What the Legislation Would Do: 

• Caps the mortgage interest deduction at $500K for new mortgages 
o Cap applies to new mortgage debt (but not refinancing) incurred after November 2, 2017. 
o Limit is not indexed to inflation causing its value to even further diminish over time. 
• Increases the standard deduction 
o Puts homeownership tax incentives beyond the reach of more than 90% of American families. 
• Limits the exemption on Capital Gains Tax from the sale of a primary residence 
o New rules would require homeowners to live in their home for 5 of 8 years before a sale to qualify for the exemption, versus just 2 of previous 5 years today. This will create a hardship to homeowners who have to move inside that five-year window. 
o Exemption phases out for single filers with incomes over $250K ($500K for joint returns). 
• Eliminates the deduction for state and local income or sales taxes. 
• Eliminates the Mortgage Interest Deduction for second homes. 
• Eliminates the deduction for moving expenses. 
• Eliminates the deduction on interest on student loans. 
• Eliminates the deduction for medical expenses, even for the elderly. 

All this from a bill that is supposed to improve the current system. Not only is this legislation a clear and present danger to American homeownership, it will cost our children and grandchildren $1.5 trillion in new federal debt. 
• Millions of middle class homeowners would see a tax hike under this plan. 
• This plan attacks homeownership and sticks future generations with a $1.5 trillion price tag. 
• America's homeowners should not pay for corporate tax cuts. 
• Hard-working homeowners will lose money when their home values fall, while corporations will get a huge tax break. 
• Homeowners in all 50 states would be double-taxed on the money they pay for state/local taxes. 
• If you buy a home and then have to move within 5 years, you could be hit with a big tax bill under this plan.