Why use a Realtor?

Real estate transactions involve one of the largest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. You don't need to know everything about buying and selling real estate if you hire a real estate professional who does. Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it is not recommended to consider a real estate deal without the professional assistance of a Realtor.

• Knowledge: A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, there are many documents involved in a single transaction, such as the purchase and sale agreement, addenda to include financing and inspection contingencies( to name just a few), disclosure forms and mortgage documents. It is important to have a knowledgeable Realtor guide you through this experience, ensuring a smooth and timely closing.
• Access: Realtors have access to the largest number of available properties and instant notification when new properties come on the market.
• Efficiency: Working with a Realtor will save you time. Good Realtors have strong knowledge of local markets, experience in handling a wide variety real estate transactions, and strong negotiating skills. This combination streamlines the real estate process, saving you time and money.
• Guidance: Realtors provide objectivity. Buying or selling a home can be a very emotionalexperience. Having an empathetic, yet objective, neutral party helps you stay focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.
• Experience: The typical American family will only buy and sell a few homes in their lifetime. Realtors help families with this process everyday. Good Realtors stay on the cutting edge of new technology and participate in countless hours of continuing education. The real estate laws and regulations are constantly changing. Realtors will provide you with the most up to date information on today's marketplace.
• Professionalism: Realtors are members of the national Association of Realtors, a trade organization of nearly one million members nationwide. Realtors subscribe to a stringent code ethics that helps guarantee the highest level of service and integrity.
• Develop Relationships for Future Business:  The basis for an agent's success and continued career in real estate is referrals. This emphasis gives agents a strong incentive to make certain clients are happy and satisfied. It also means that an agent who stays in the business will be there for you when you need to hire an agent. Many will periodically mail market updates to you to keep you informed and to stay in touch.

What does a real estate agent really do?

Typical Pre-Listing Activities
1. Research Current Properties
2. Research Sales Activity from MLS and public records databases
3. Provide Average Days on Market Assessment
4 . Review Property Tax Roll
 5. Prepare a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA)
 5a. Includes driving to current comps for physical inspection
6. Verify Ownership and Deed Type
7. Verify County Public Property Records
8. Perform Curb Appeal Assessment
9. Provide Public School Value
10. Provide a Listing Presentation
11. Analyze Current Market Conditions
12. Present Credentials
13. Deliver CMA Results
14. Discuss Planning and Strategy
15. Explain Listing Contract, Disclosures & Addendum
16. Screen Calls from Buyers or Agents
17. Explain Homeowner Warranty

Selling the Property Activities
18. Review Title Details
19. Order Plat Map
20. Create Showing Instructions
21. Obtain Mortgage Loan Information
22. Review Homeowner Association Fees and Bylaws
23. Submit Homeowner Warranty Application
24. Add Homeowner Warranty in MLS
25. Arrange Broker Open Tour
26. Arrange Inspections for City Sewer/Septic Tank Systems
27. Collect Natural Gas Information
28. Provide Security System Status
29. Hire landscape crews when needed.
30. Analyze Lead-based Paint Status
31. Distribute Disclosure Packages
32. Prepare Property Amenities
33. Detail Inclusions & Conveyances with Sale
34. Compile Repairs Needed List
35. Staging Checklist
36. Install Lockbox
37. Make Copies of Leases for Rental Units (if applicable)
38. Verify Rents, Utilities, Water, and Deposits for Rentals
39. Hire house cleaners when needed
40. Install Yard Sign
41. Perform Interior Assessment
42. Perform Exterior Assessment

Advertising and Marketing a Listing
43. Enter a Profile Sheet into the MLS Listing Database
44. Provide Copies of MLS Agreement
45. Take Additional Photos for MLS and Marketing
45a. Includes hiring professional photographer..Night shots..WOW shots
46. Create and Advertise Property Listing
47. Coordinate Showing Times
48. Create Flyers...NO Black and White
49. Compare MLS Listings
50. Develop Marketing Brochure , Postcards with professional graphics designer.
51. Notify the Network Referral Program
52. Create Special Feature Cards
53. Create Online presence
53a. “Search Specific” website development. The Golik Group was 1^st in nation to develop
    b. Add to www.Windermere.com 
    c. Add to www.GolikGroup.com
    d. Add to secondary websites..Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Zillow.com, Craigslist etc.
    e. Create email graphics for email blast.
    f. Create postcards to drive buyers and agents to exclusive “Search Specific” website
    g. Create Pay Per Click campaigns on Google, Bing, Yahoo when needed.
    h. Continued website optimization of “Search Specific” websites for continued high rankings.
    i. When applicable, add to luxury websites such as LuxuryEstateOnline.com, LuxuryCondosofPortland.com, PortlandLoftsandCondos.com, USLuxuryInvestmentProperties.com
    j. Weekly or bi weekly reporting of website traffic from various websites.

Handling Offers and Contracts
54. Receive Offer(s) to Purchase
55. Evaluate Net Sheet
56. Counsel and Mediate Offer(s)
57. Deliver Seller’s Disclosure
58. Obtain Pre-qualification Letter
59. Negotiate Offers on the Seller’s Behalf
60. Mediate Counteroffers or Amendments
61. Fax/ email Contract Copies
62. Deliver ‘Offer to Purchase’ Copies
63. Assist with Escrow Account...update with new addenda
64. Distribute Under-Contract Showing Restrictions
65. Update MLS to “Sale Pending”
66. Review Credit Report
67. Deliver Unrecorded Property Information
68. Order Well Flow Test Reports (if applicable)
69. Order Termite Inspection (if applicable)
70. Order Mold Inspection (if applicable)
71. Confirm Deposit and Buyer’s Employment
72. Follow Up with Loan Processing
73. Communicate with Lender
74. Confirm Approval of Loan
75. Remove Loan Contingency

Home Inspection and Home Appraisal Activities
76. Coordinate Buyer’s Home Inspection
77. Review Home Inspector’s Report
78. Interpret Loan Limits
79. Verify Home Inspection Clauses
80. Contractor Preparation
81. Confirm Repair Completion
82. Attend inspector Appointment
83. Provide Appraiser Information and Remove Contingency

Closing Preparations and Actions
84. Ensure Contract is Sealed
85. Coordinate Closing Process
86. Coordinate Closing Formal Procedure
87. Assist with Title Issues
88. Perform Final Walk-through
89. Verify Tax and Utility Preparations
90. Review and Distribute Final Closing Figures
91. Request Closing Document Copies
92. Confirm Receipt of Title Insurance Commitment
93. Make Homeowners Warranty Available
94. Review Closing Documents
95. Confirm and Assist with Final Deposit
96. Coordinate with Next Purchase
97. Ensure “No Surprises” Closing
98. Final MLS Update
99. Follow Up and Resolve Repairs
100. Documentation Follow Up