STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS TO SELLING A HOME IN FLORIDA

Pre-Listing Activities:

1. Schedule our initial meeting to discuss listing your home.
2. Confirm our meeting details and ensure everything is set.
3. Prepare questions to understand your needs better.
4. Analyze current listings similar to yours.
5. Research recent sales data from MLS and public records.
6. Determine average days on market for homes like yours.
7. Gather property tax and assessor information.
8. Create a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to price your home competitively.
9. Obtain subdivision plat and layout details.
10. Verify property ownership and deed type.
11. Check public records for lot size and dimensions.
12. Confirm legal description of your property.
13. Review land use coding and deed restrictions.
14. Assess current zoning and property use.
15. Verify owner information in county records.

Pre-Listing Activities (Continued):

1. Put together a comprehensive listing presentation package with all the researched materials.
2. Evaluate the curb appeal of your home to ensure it’s market-ready.
3. Compile a formal file with all the important details about your property.
4. Confirm current public schools and explain how they impact your home’s market value.
5. Double-check our listing appointment checklist to make sure we’re fully prepared.
6. Review the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) Report for any relevant records.
7. Add you into my client database to keep everything organized.

Listing Appointment Presentation:

1. Provide an overview of current market conditions and future trends.
2. Tour your property to gather firsthand information.
3. Share my credentials and the success my company has had in the market.
4. Present my company’s profile and our unique position in the marketplace.
5. Walk you through the CMA, including comparisons with other properties.
6. Offer a pricing strategy based on the tour, market updates, and my professional judgment.
7. Discuss how we’ll effectively market your home.
8. Explain the advantages of using MLS Broker Marketplaces.
9. Highlight the power of online marketing and platforms like REALTOR.com.
10. Outline the behind-the-scenes work I’ll do and my availability on weekends.
11. Discuss how I’ll screen potential buyers to ensure only serious ones come through.
12. Present our strategic master marketing plan.
13. Clarify the transaction/agency brokerage relationship.
14. Review all clauses in the listing contract and obtain your signature once we’re ready to list your home.
15. Review current title information for accuracy.
16. Measure the overall and heated square footage of your home.
17. Measure interior room sizes for accurate listings.
18. Confirm the lot size using any available certified survey.
19. Note any unrecorded property liens, agreements, or easements.
20. Obtain and review house plans, if available.
21. Prepare showing instructions for buyers’ agents and coordinate showing times.
22. Discuss possible buyer financing options with you.
23. Review the current appraisal, if available.
24. Identify and verify Homeowner Association details if applicable.
25. Verify Homeowner Association fees and obtain a copy of the bylaws, if applicable.
26. Research electricity availability and supplier details.
27. Collect average utility usage data from the past 12 months.
28. Verify sewer or septic tank systems.
29. Calculate average water usage fees.
30. Confirm well status, depth, and output from the Well Report.
31. Research and verify natural gas availability and supplier details.
32. Verify security system details, including terms of service.
33. Check if the property has a transferable termite bond.
34. Determine if a lead-based paint disclosure is necessary.
35. Prepare a detailed list of property amenities and assess their market impact.
36. Compile a list of what’s included with the sale of your home.
37. Gather a list of completed repairs and maintenance for potential buyers.
38. Send you a vacancy checklist if the property is vacant and register the property with the township if necessary.
39. Explain the benefits of a Homeowner Warranty.
40. Assist you with completing and submitting the Homeowner Warranty application.
41. Store the Homeowner Warranty in your property file for future conveyance.
42. Have an extra key made for the lockbox and my file.
43. Verify if the property has rental units and, if so, make copies of all leases.
44. Verify all rents and deposits for any rental units.
45. Inform tenants about the listing and discuss how showings will be handled.
46. Arrange for the installation of a yard sign.
47. Complete the new listing checklist to ensure everything is in place.
48. Review the curb appeal assessment and provide suggestions for improvements.
49. Assess the interior décor and suggest changes to help sell your home faster.
50. Load your listing into our transaction management software.
51. Prepare the MLS Broker Marketplaces Profile Sheet.
52. Enter your property data into the MLS Broker Marketplaces Database.
53. Proofread the MLS listing for accuracy, including correct map placement.
54. Add your property to our company’s active listings list.
55. Provide you with copies of the listing agreement and MLS Profile Sheet.
56. Take additional photos for online listings and flyers.
57. Create print and internet ads with your input.
58. Coordinate showings with you, any tenants, and other agents.
59. Return all calls promptly to keep the process moving.
60. Install an electronic lockbox, if authorized, and program showing times.
61. Prepare mailing and contact lists for marketing.
62. Generate personalized letters for the contact list.
63. Order “Just Listed” labels and reports.
64. Prepare flyers and feedback reports for potential buyers.
65. Regularly review comparable MLS listings to ensure your property remains competitive.
66. Prepare a marketing brochure for your review.
67. Arrange for printing or copying of marketing materials.
68. Distribute marketing brochures to all company agents.
69. Upload your listing to the company and agent websites.
70. Mail out a “Just Listed” notice to all neighborhood residents.
71. Notify our network referral program about your listing.
72. Provide marketing data to buyers through our international relocation network.
73. Share your property details with buyers from our referral network.
74. Create Special Feature cards for marketing, if applicable.
75. Submit ads to our participating internet real estate sites.
76. Promptly communicate any price changes to all online platforms.
77. Reprint and supply brochures as needed.
78. Send feedback emails to buyers’ agents after showings.
79. Conduct a weekly market study to keep you informed.
80. Discuss any showing feedback with you to determine if adjustments are needed.
81. Set up marketing reports on our showing-time application and company website.
82. Call you weekly to update you on marketing and pricing strategies.
83. Quickly enter any price changes in the MLS Broker Marketplaces database.

Offers:

1. Receive and review all Offer to Purchase contracts submitted by buyers’ agents.
2. Prepare a net sheet for each offer to help you compare them.
3. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of each offer.
4. Contact buyers’ agents to review buyer qualifications and discuss offers.
5. Deliver the Seller’s Disclosure to buyers as needed.
6. Confirm buyers are pre-approved by speaking with their loan officers.
7. Obtain buyers’ pre-qualification letters if not submitted with the offer.
8. Negotiate all offers according to your directions.
9. Prepare and communicate counteroffers, acceptance, or amendments to buyers’ agents.
10. Create spreadsheets for easy comparison if there are multiple bids.
11. Send copies of contracts and all addenda to the closing attorney or title company.
12. Deliver accepted contracts to the buyer’s agent once agreed upon.

Contracts:

1. Record and deposit buyer’s earnest money into an escrow account promptly.
2. Set up under-contract showing restrictions as you request.
3. Deliver signed Offer to Purchase contracts to all relevant parties.
4. Keep our office files updated with copies of all contracts.
5. Inform you of any additional offers that come in between contract and closing.
6. Update the status in the MLS Broker Marketplaces to Sale Pending.
7. Keep the transaction management program updated with the sale’s progress.
8. Provide credit report information if seller-financing is involved.
9. Assist the buyer with obtaining financing, if necessary, and follow up as needed.
10. Coordinate with the lender to lock in discount points and set dates.

Inspections:

1. Provide unrecorded property information to the buyer.
2. Arrange for septic system inspections, if applicable.
3. Review the septic system report and assess its impact on the sale.
4. Deliver the septic system inspection report to the lender and buyer.
5. Provide copies of the Well Flow Test Report to the lender and buyer.
6. Confirm that a termite inspection has been ordered.
7. Verify if a mold inspection is required and ensure it’s completed.
8. Confirm that all necessary verifications of deposit and buyer’s employment are completed.
9. Track the loan process through the underwriter.
10. Add the lender and other vendors to the management program to keep everyone updated.
11. Contact the lender weekly to ensure the loan process is on track.
12. Communicate the final approval of the buyer’s loan application to you.

Home Inspections:

1. Coordinate the buyer’s professional home inspection with you.
2. Review the home inspector’s report to identify any potential issues.
3. Enter the completion of inspections into our transaction management system.
4. Explain your responsibilities under the Home Inspection Clause and suggest consulting an attorney if needed.
5. Ensure your compliance with the Home Inspection Clause requirements.
6. Assist you in finding contractors for any necessary repairs.
7. Negotiate payment and oversee repairs on your behalf, if needed.

The Appraisal:

1. Schedule the appraisal and ensure the appraiser has access to the property.
2. Provide the appraiser with comparable sales used in pricing your home.
3. Follow up on the appraisal to keep the process moving.

Processing for Closing:

1. Update the transaction management program with completed steps.
2. Assist you in questioning the appraisal report if it comes in too low.
3. Ensure all parties have signed the contract.
4. Coordinate the closing process with the buyer’s agent and lender.
5. Keep all closing forms and files up to date.
6. Ensure all parties have the information they need to close the sale.
7. Select the closing location that works best for everyone.
8. Confirm the closing date and time with all parties.
9. Assist in resolving any title issues or obtaining necessary documents.
10. Work with the buyer’s agent to schedule the buyer’s final walk-through.

Final Preparations:

1. Double-check all prorations for taxes, homeowner association dues, and utilities.
2. Request final closing figures from the closing agent.
3. Review the final closing figures with you.
4. Coordinate this information with the buyer’s agent to ensure everything matches.
5. Confirm the buyer and buyer’s agent received the final walk-through forms.
6. Request a copy of the closing documents for your records.

Closing:

1. Verify and arrange for the transfer of keys, garage remotes, and security codes.
2. Ensure you receive your net proceeds from the sale.
3. Provide copies of closing documents for your records.
4. Review the HUD-1 Settlement Statement for accuracy before closing.
5. Confirm all required documentation is signed and delivered to the closing attorney or title company.
6. Arrange the release of your earnest money.
7. Change the status of the property to “SOLD” in the MLS Broker Marketplaces system.
8. Offer continued assistance for any post-closing questions.

This comprehensive approach ensures we’ve covered every detail to make your home-selling experience smooth and successful. If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to reach out!