Refresh Your Living Room With These Spring Decor Trends

Spring is officially upon us! While many homeowners think of this as the season to give your house a good cleaning, it's also a great time to refresh your home decor, including in your living room.

But what are this spring's biggest decor trends, and how can you incorporate them in your living room?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined decor trends that are all the rage this season, inc...

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184 Things REALTORs® Do To Earn Their Commission

Listed here are 184 typical actions, research steps, procedures, processes and review stages in a successful residential real estate transaction that are normally provided by full service real estate brokerages in return for their sales commission. Depending on the transaction, some may take minutes, hours, or even days to complete, while some may not be needed.

More importantly, they reflect the level of skill, knowledge and attention to detail required in today's real estate transaction, underscoring the importance of having help and guidance from someone who fully understands the process – a REALTOR®.

Pre-Listing Activities

• Make appointment with seller for listing presentation
• Send seller a written or email confirmation of listing appointment and call to confirm
• Review pre-appointment questions
• Research all comparable currently listed properties
• Research sales activity for past 18 months from MLS and public records databases
• Research average Days on Market (DOM) for this property of this type, price range and location
• Download and review property tax roll information
• Prepare Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) to establish fair market value
• Obtain copy of subdivision plat/complex lay-out
• Research property's ownership & deed type
• Research property's public record information for lot size & dimensions
• Research and verify legal description
• Research property's land use coding and deed restrictions
• Research property's current use and zoning
• Verify legal names of owner(s) in county's public property records
• Prepare listing presentation package with above materials
• Perform exterior "Curb Appeal Assessment" of subject property
• Compile and assemble formal file on property
• Confirm current public schools and explain impact of schools on market value
• Review listing appointment checklist to ensure all steps and actions have been completed

Listing Appointment Presentation

• Give seller an overview of current market conditions and projections
• Review agent's and company's credentials and accomplishments in the market
• Present company's profile and position or niche in the marketplace
• Present CMA results to seller, including comparables, solds, current listings & expireds
• Offer pricing strategy based on professional judgment and interpretation of current market conditions
• Discuss goals with seller to market effectively
• Explain market power and benefits of Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
• Explain benefits of web marketing & IDX
• Explain the work the brokerage and agent do behind the scenes and agent's availability on weekends
• Explain agent's role in taking calls to screen for qualified buyers and protect seller from curiosity seekers
• Present and discuss strategic master marketing plan
• Explain different agency relationships and determine seller's preference
• Review and explain all clauses in listing contract & addendum and obtain seller's signature once property is under listing agreement
• Review current title information
• Measure overall and heated square footage
• Measure interior room sizes
• Confirm lot size via owner's copy of certified survey, if available
• Note any and all unrecorded property lines, agreements, easements
• Obtain house plans, if applicable and available
• Review house plans and make copy
• Order plat map for retention in property's listing file
• Prepare showing instructions for buyers' agents and agree on showing time window with seller
• Obtain current mortgage loan(s) information: companies and & loan account numbers
• Verify current loan information with lender(s)
• Check assumability of loan(s) and any special requirements
• Discuss possible buyer financing alternatives and options with seller
• Review current appraisal if available
• Identify Home Owner Association (HOA) manager if applicable
• Verify HOA fees with manager – mandatory or optional and current annual fee
• Order copy of HOA bylaws, if applicable
• Research electricity availability and supplier's name and phone number
• Calculate average utility usage from last 12 months of bills
• Research and verify city sewer/septic tank system
• Water system: calculate average water fees or rates from last 12 months of bills
• Well water: confirm well status, depth and output from well report
• Natural gas: research/verify availability and supplier's name and phone number
• Verify security system, current term of service and whether owned or leased
• Verify if seller has transferable termite bond
• Ascertain need for lead-based paint disclosure
• Prepare detailed list of property amenities and assess market impact
• Prepare detailed list of property's "inclusions & conveyances with sale"
• Compile list of completed repairs and maintenance items
• Send "vacancy checklist" to seller if property is vacant
• Explain benefits of homeowner warranty to seller
• Assist sellers with completion and submission of homeowner warranty application
• When received, place homeowner warranty in property file for conveyance at time of sale
• Have extra key made for lockbox
• Verify if property has rental units involved. And if so:
  * Make copies of all leases for retention in listing file
  * Verify all rents & deposits
  * Inform tenants of listing and discuss how showings will be handled
• Arrange for installation of yard sign
• Assist seller with completion of Seller's Disclosure form
• "New listing checklist" completed
• Review results of curb appeal assessment with seller and provide suggestions to improve salability
• Review results of interior decor assessment and suggest changes to shorten time on market
• Load listing into transaction management software program

Entering Property in Multiple Listing Service Database

• Prepare MLS profile sheet — agent is responsible for quality control and accuracy of listing data
• Enter property data from profile sheet into MLS database
• Proofread MLS database listing for accuracy, including proper placement in mapping function
• Add property to company's active listings list
• Provide seller with signed copies of listing agreement and MLS Profile sheet data form within 48 hours
• Take additional photos for upload into MLS and use in flyers. Discuss efficacy of panoramic and/or drone photography

Marketing The Listing

• Create print and Internet ads with seller's input
• Coordinate showings with owners, tenants, and other Realtors®. Return all calls – weekends included
• Install electronic lock box if authorized by owner. Program with agreed-upon showing time windows
• Prepare mailing and contact list
• Generate mail-merge letters to contact list
• Order "Just Listed" labels & reports
• Prepare flyers
• Review comparable MLS listings regularly to ensure property remains competitive in price, terms, conditions and availability
• Prepare property marketing brochure for seller's review
• Arrange for printing or copying of supply of marketing brochures or fliers
• Place marketing brochures in all company agent mail boxes
• Upload listing to company and agent Internet site, if applicable
• Mail out "just listed" notice to all neighborhood residents
• Advise network referral program of listing
• Provide marketing data to buyers coming through international relocation networks
• Provide marketing data to buyers coming from referral network
• Provide "special feature" cards for marketing, if applicable
• Submit ads to company's participating Internet real estate sites
• Price changes conveyed promptly to all Internet groups
• Reprint/supply brochures promptly as needed
• Loan information reviewed and updated in MLS as required
• Feedback requests sent to buyers' agents after showings
• Review weekly market study
• Discuss feedback from showing agents with seller to determine if changes will accelerate the sale
• Place regular weekly update calls to seller to discuss marketing & pricing
• Promptly enter price changes in MLS listing database

The Offer and Contract

• Receive and review all offers
• Evaluate offer(s) and prepare a "net sheet" on each for the owner for comparison purposes
• Counsel seller on offers. Explain merits and weakness of each component of each offer
• Contact buyers' agents to review buyer's qualifications and discuss offer
• Submit seller's disclosure to buyer's agent or buyer upon request and prior to offer if possible
• Confirm buyer is pre-approved by calling loan officer
• Obtain pre-approval letter on buyer from loan officer
• Negotiate all offers on seller's behalf, setting time limit for loan approval and closing date
• Prepare and convey any counteroffers, acceptance or amendments to buyer's agent
• Submit copies of contract and all addendums to closing attorney or title company
• When offer is accepted and signed by seller, send to buyer's agent
• Record and promptly deposit buyer's earnest money in escrow account
• Disseminate "under-contract showing restrictions" as seller requests
• Submit copies of signed contract to seller
• Submit copies of signed contract to selling agent
• Submit copies of signed contract to lender
• Provide copies of signed contract for office file
• Advise seller in handling additional offers to purchase submitted between contract and closing
• Change status in MLS to "Sale Pending"
• Update transaction management program show "Sale Pending"
• Review buyer's credit report results — Advise seller of worst and best case scenarios
• Provide credit report information to seller if property will be seller-financed
• Assist buyer with obtaining financing, if applicable and follow-up as necessary
• Coordinate with lender on discount points being locked in with dates
• Deliver unrecorded property information to buyer
• Order septic system inspection, if applicable
• Receive and review septic system report and assess any possible impact on sale
• Deliver copy of septic system inspection report lender & buyer
• Deliver well flow test report copies to lender & buyer and property listing file
• Verify termite inspection ordered
• Verify mold inspection ordered, if required

Tracking the Loan Process

• Confirm verifications of deposit & buyer's employment have been returned
• Follow loan processing through to the underwriter
• Add lender and other vendors to your management program so agents, buyer and seller can track progress of sale
• Contact lender weekly to ensure processing is on track
• Relay final approval of buyer's loan application to seller

Home Inspection

• Coordinate buyer's professional home inspection with seller
• Review home inspector's report
• Enter completion into transaction management tracking software program
• Explain seller's responsibilities with respect to loan limits and interpret any clauses in the contract
• Ensure seller's compliance with home inspection clause requirements
• Recommend or assist seller with identifying and negotiating with trustworthy contractors to perform any required repairs
• Negotiate payment and oversee completion of all required repairs on seller's behalf, if needed

The Appraisal

• Schedule appraisal
• Provide comparable sales used in market pricing to appraiser
• Follow-up on appraisal
• Enter completion into transaction management program
• Assist seller in questioning appraisal report if it seems too low

Closing Preparations and Duties

• Contract is signed by all parties
• Coordinate closing process with buyer's agent and lender
• Update closing forms & files
• Ensure all parties have all forms and info needed to close
• Select location where closing will be held
• Confirm closing date and time and notify all parties
• Assist in solving any title problems (boundary disputes, easements, etc.) or in obtaining death certificates
• Work with buyer's agent in scheduling and conducting buyer's final walk-thru prior to closing
• Research all tax, HOA, utility and other applicable prorations
• Request final closing figures from closing agent (attorney or title company)
• Receive & carefully review closing figures to ensure accuracy of preparation
• Forward verified closing figures to buyer's agent
• Request copy of closing documents from closing agent
• Confirm buyer and buyer's agent have received title insurance commitment
• Provide homeowners warranty for availability at closing
• Review all closing documents carefully for errors
• Forward closing documents to absentee seller as requested
• Review documents with closing agent (attorney)
• Provide earnest money deposit check from escrow account to closing agent
• Coordinate this closing with seller's next purchase and resolve any timing problems
• Have a "no surprises" closing so that seller receives a net proceeds check at closing
• Refer sellers to one of the best agents at their destination, if applicable
• Change MLS status to Sold. Enter sale date, price, selling broker and agent's ID numbers, etc.
• Close out listing in management program

Follow Up After Closing

• Answer questions about filing claims with Home Owner Warranty company if requested
• Attempt to clarify and resolve any conflicts about repairs if buyer is not satisfied
• Respond to any follow-on calls and provide any additional information required from office files.

Whew! That's a long list!

via GIPHY

Did you realize REALTORS® did so many things?

Why Was This List Prepared?

Surveys show that many homeowners and homebuyers are not aware of the true value a REALTOR® provides during the course of a real estate transaction.

The list here is just a baseline since the services may vary within each brokerage and each market. Many REALTORS® routinely provide a wide variety of additional services that are as varied as the nature of each transaction.

By the same token, some transactions may not require some of these steps to be equally successful. However, most would agree that given the unexpected complications that can arise, it's far better to know about a step and make an intelligent, informed decision to skip it, than to not know the possibility even existed.

Based on a list prepared by Belton Jennings, CEO of the Orlando Regional REALTORS® Association. The document is provided online as part of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Surround Sound Campaign.

8 Unwritten Rules of Etiquette You Should Know When Going to Open Houses

How cool is it that you can literally just walk on into someone's house and stroll around every single room while they're not home? When you really stop to think about it, open houses are quite a privilege! With that in mind, as you can imagine, there are certainly some unwritten rules of etiquette you should follow.

While there's no formal rule book, for the most part minding your manners at an open house boils down to plain common sense: Don't do anything you wouldn't want someone doing in your house if you were allowing strangers to roam through it. Unfortunately, that still leaves a lot of wiggle room, and the potential for you to break a rule or two without meaning to.

So let's take a look at 8 unwritten rules of etiquette you should know when going to open houses:

1) Don't Bring Your Pet With You…

As much as it may someday be your pet's home, too, bringing your dog (or any other animal) to an open house isn't something you should assume will be OK. While you might feel your pet isn't a threat to anyone, some people are afraid of animals, or allergic to them. And, depending on the owner, some people just don't want animals walking all over their carpets or jumping on furniture.

2) Don't Walk in With an Iced Caramel Half-Caf Latte…

Some agents serve food and drink at their open houses, but even if they do, they probably don't want you roaming from room to room with a plate of hors-d'oeuvres, desserts, and a drink. Feel free to nibble and sip on whatever is offered in the room it's served in, but don't BYOC from Starbucks and walk around with a potential coffee catastrophe waiting to stain their floors or furniture.

3) Don't Get Upset if You're Asked to Wait for Your Turn…

Open houses can get super busy, especially if it's a hot market. Some agents are completely fine with a huge crowd meandering through the house, but others want to keep a closer eye on folks and limit how many are walking around at any given time. In order to keep things under control, you may be asked to wait outside until the crowd clears a bit. Don't get angry or demand to be let in immediately; just wait patiently and understand that the agent is probably just keeping the home (and themself) safe.

4) Don't Refuse to Give Your Contact Information…

Many agents will ask you to provide some info on a sign-in sheet. While you may be hesitant, or tempted to give a fake name and number, please don't. While they might use it as a way to follow up with you and see if you have interest in the house, or would like help finding another one, you can jot a note that you don't want to be contacted or that you're working with another agent. More importantly, these sheets serve as a way for the agent to keep track of who was in the house in case something happens. If you put yourself in the shoes of the agent and owner, wouldn't youwant to know who's been walking around your house?

5) Don't Ignore or Be Rude to the Agents…

Plenty of people master the art of avoiding salespeople while browsing in a store by avoiding eye contact or slipping away to another aisle or department. But even if you desperately want to avoid talking to an agent at an open house, please don't. You don't have to become besties or tell them your life story, but you should definitely be prepared to say hello and make some small talk. In the least, it's just polite. But on another level, just imagine being in charge of keeping yourself and someone's house safe, and you have a person walk in off the street trying to sneak around the house without being seen or spoken to. Being warm and friendly will help agents feel safe and less suspicious of you.

6) Don't Take Pictures Unless You Ask First…

It may sound ridiculous that you shouldn't take pictures inside of a house that probably has high-def images of every room available to see on the internet, but definitely ask before you do. The chances are you'll be allowed to, but it's just good form to ask first.

7) Don't Use the Bathroom…

This is another thing you'd probably be allowed to do if you asked, but you also shouldn't presume you can just use the bathroom at an open house. If you're on an all-day marathon of open houses, try and take a pit stop somewhere in between. But if you really gotta go… well, just pass it by the agent before you do.

8) Don't Show up at the Last Minute…

It never fails: the minute an agent is turning off the lights and is about to pull the open house sign off the front lawn, someone pulls up to see the house. While you could say an agent shouldn't mind because that's what they're there for, keep in mind that they often have busy schedules and may need to get to their next appointment, or simply head home for some family time. But also keep in mind that the homeowner was probably out of their house for 4 to 5 hours, and is probably circling the block just waiting for the minute they can get back in and relax! Try to head to open houses at least 15 minutes to a half hour before the ending time.