SELLERS' PART - THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP!

Provide a duplicate set of keys so that I can keep one and put one in the lockbox. (Lockbox greatly increases showings.)

Help me accumulate information about the property
   Floor plans
   Pictures at various seasons, outside and indoors, if appropriate. 
      (I'll take and use many, but you may not list at the prettiest season.)
   Plat
   List of improvements, with dates if possible
   Special features of house and yard
   Neighborhood and rea amenities - I have information on many, but you may have others

Proofread the fact sheet draft and feel free to make suggestions then or later. Let me know well before the supply of fact sheets is depleted.

Provide information about your present loan. This will not be shared with anyone unless it is assumable and might help sell the house. This information will help me prepare a net sheet for you and may help me suggest financing possibilities - such as holding a second trust. Ask for details, and for the chart.

Stay ready to have your home shown at all times. This is inconvenient and I hope it won't take long, but we often do not know far ahead of time when buyers will want to see it. They may, for example, just be "scouting the neighborhood" without appointments. If the buyer says, "That one looks interesting," it would be a shame if they couldn't get in if the agent called you from the car phone. (It's your house and your life, however - you are free to say "no" or "later" at your discretion.)

When your home is on MLS, agents should always call the office before they show the property. Our efficient secretary will call to make an appointment or to let you know someone is coming, depending on your instructions.  Agents should  leave a card near the fact sheets. Please save me the cards.  Once in a great while, someone will not show up and will not call. You will be greatly annoyed. Ask me why this happens. 

PLEASE -

Call me with information about agents who showed the property and with whatever information you gathered if you were present - the sooner the better, since agents see a lot of houses and may otherwise forget which one I'm calling about. (I'll call them for feedback. Agents often do not call back unless the buyer is interested or there are questions. We get many calls every day, and the least important ones are apt to be those from agents asking for "feedback." What I do find out, I'll tell you.)

Hide, pack or remove from the property things that might cause you concern as being tempting to buyers (jewelry, guns, for example). I have never had anything disappear from a property, but caution is prudent. Besides, the more you put away or pack away now, the easier your housekeeping will be during marketing.

Read the sample contract and addenda and ask questions ahead of time. Then when an offer comes in, it will be easier for you to focus on the important elements. If you go out of town while the property is being marketed, take that folder with you, along with instructions for responding to an offer by fax or e-mail.

Don't leave home without telling me where you'll be and how to contact you. Offers have an uncanny way of occurring when you're out of town, especially if you're unreachable. I've presented offers by phone to Germany, England, Saudi Arabia, and Chile.

Don't try to negotiate with agents who show the property and don't answer questions that seem inappropriate. "Ask Mary about that..." can save a lot of problems. On the other hand, be warm and friendly in discussing the amenities of your home, the neighborhood, schools, child care, ages of neighbor children, etc.

Provide an answering machine at the property and, if at all possible, include in your message that agents wanting to show the property can leave name and number at the beep and show it by using the lockbox and leaving their cards.

Tell your friends and colleagues you're moving and invite their help. They probably know people who might be interested. Friends and neighbors will likely know soon anyway, as there will be a lot of advertising. We might as well solicit their help.

Call me promptly with questions, concerns, and marketing ideas. I am often away from the office, but I return calls promptly.