BEST PRACTICES – Working with new Sellers

 

Before you meet

 

• Consult County tax records before going on a listing appointment or approaching a home that is being offered for sale by owner.

 

• If the potential new client reached out to you to request your professional services, take advantage of Forewarn to confirm their identity and ownership of the property.

 

• When using Forewarn, keep in mind that the existence of a felony in someone’s past doesn’t and shouldn’t in itself exclude them from working with you. The date and nature of the felony might be a factor though. If you discover criminal history that makes you feel uncomfortable, consult your broker. Your broker might prefer to have you employ the buddy system when meeting with the seller, assign the listing to another agent in the office, or decline the listing opportunity.

 

• Verify the names on the title and check RPR, the White Pages, Zillow, and Google.

 

When meeting with the seller

 

• Study the neighborhood.

 

• Be aware of your surroundings.

 

• Look for verbal or body language red flags, such as the seller mentions that they have met with numerous agents (or have negative opinions of numerous agents), the seller infringes upon your personal space, the seller becomes upset quickly, etc. o Do not overshare about your personal life.

 

If you list the property

 

• Introduce yourself to the immediate neighbors, give them your card, and invite them to call you if they see anything unusual. This can be done in person, via a letter or postcard, or with a door hanger.

 

• Advise your seller to lock up all valuables and prescription medications and to put away mail.

 

• Advise your sellers to contain pets or relocate them during showings. Include notification in the Agent Only Remarks on the MLS if a pet will be present during showings. The GRAR Store offers “pets inside” door hangers.

 

• Advise your seller to leave the porch light on for evening showings, especially in winter months when it gets dark early.

 

• Advise your sellers not to show their home by themselves. Alert them that not all people are who they say they are. Predators come in all shapes and sizes. We tell our children not to talk to strangers. Tell your sellers not to talk to other agents or buyers, and to refer all inquiries to you.

 

• Homes with smart devices – When the seller is moving out, advise them to erase stored data, change passwords, and return to factory settings.

 

• Post a sign indicating that the home is under video surveillance. If cameras aren’t really in the home, let your seller know that the sign is simply a crime deterrent. The GRAR Store carries signs as well as window decals that can be placed on the front door for this purpose.

 

• To avoid compromising situations, make sure that the seller (or tenants) are aware of all scheduled showings.

 

• Carefully consider the duration and frequency of permitted showings and keep in mind that there are risks associated with the practice of overlapping showings. Please click here for additional details.