Naples Florida Real Estate: What's In Your Weekly Report To Your Seller?

What's In Your Weekly Report To Your Seller?

Ahhh the weekly listing activity reports our seller's are looking for........I know some of us do them...some of us  don't...some of us pretend to do them and well some of us DO do them.  I personally think they're imperative to smart and successful listing relationships and actually I look forward to doing them because they hold me accountable and keep my clients "in the know" and quite frankly when our clients don't know what's going on then who's fault is it??? OURS!

Now what do we put in them that add value to our clients intelligence??? 

Of course we include:

  • All showing activity, feedback from the buyers and/or agents and/or both.
  • All places where ads are showing up.
  • All feedback from previews from other agents.
  • If anything needs to be addressed within the home (if they don't live there).

Do you include web statistics?  I do! 

Including:

  • How many views you've received from Active Rain.
  • How many people clicked on the Active Rain post to read more.
  • How many people clicked on my website and statistics on each page.
  • How many MLS views we've received weekly.
  • What rank their listing shows up on specific keyword search terms on Google.

Then again back to the obvious stuff:

  • How many calls on the property I've received.
  • How many emails regarding the property.
  • All changes in MLS within the community ie, 7 price reductions 2 pending competitors 1 sale since we've been listed...
  • How many brochures were taken from the box in the front yard.
  • Open house activity...or lack there of.
  • What other agents with competing properties had to report when I called them.

Let's talk about that last one for a minute.  Calling listing agents who have listed competing properties.  You're talking to them too, right?  Uncomfortable?  No way...let  them know what you know first about your listing and ask them what's going on at their end.  It's only awkward the first time you call...in many cases your're new friends by the second time...heck I got a job offer today from one great guy who's a Broker. He has a house listed down the street.  Besides...it's a great way to get to know agents who you don't know yet and you have no idea what happens when you join forces to get your deal done!  The other great news...I was talking to another agent with a competing property who already knew about my listing...she said, "You know...I'm currently working with two buyers in here who won't buy mine...I'll forward your listing to them and see if I can get them interested in yours".  It's all about the networking my friends!

Ok so let's get back on track with this weekly report.  For the grand finale, I offer my recommendation...do we  hold, reduce...what's the next step??? For any intelligent seller, the facts described before the reccommendation should go hand in hand and be irrefutable unless there's some sort of ambiguous thing going on.  Of course this is all predetermined based on the seller's motivation to sell.  Maybe the recommendation is, "Since you really need this $$$ out of your house and we're listed at $$$...we'll hold and I'll see you next week".  Hopefully not too many of us are taking listings like that but let's face it...many of us are.  If that's the case...you still did your job even though you're not getting paid for it.....boo!

 I personally choose to work with only motivated seller's right now.  It's hard...really hard to turn nice properties down that are attached to unreasonable sellers...especially since I am a sucker for pretty things but...I think it's the right thing to do for our market. So although my listing inventory is tiny...it's solid!  I'm doing what I need to be doing...exposing the property to as many ready, willing and able buyers as possible and they're doing what they need to be doing...responding to our efforts in a way that will cause their property to sell.  Isn't it neat!

 

For more information regarding Naples, Florida real estate....call the Smart Girl...Shannon Lefevre!

 

Serving my purpose through content rich informaton about Naples, Florida real estate!

Best Regards!

Naples Real Estate

Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!
239-595-6223
www.ShannonLefevre.com

“The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of John R. Wood Realtors.”

 

62 commentsShannon Lefevre, PA • January 25 2008 03:56PM

Comments

Hey Shannon thanks for sharing your info with us.  I think I will print this up.
Posted by John Walters (Licensed in Slidell, Louisiana) (Frank Rubi Real Estate) over 4 years ago
Shannon - I love your blog.  I just did a report today.  I am always surprised when I send them the response I get from the sellers.  Those that were listed with someone before me have never seen them are surprised that I am "letting them in" on all of this info.  You're kidding, right?  Nope, over 95% of my listings have never seen them before.  My report is right in line with all of the items that you pointed out above.
Posted by Leesa L. Finley -Wake Forest NC REALTOR® Wake Forest NC & Raleigh NC Real Estate (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist) over 4 years ago
Shannon - I mail my seller reports on Friday--thanks for giving me an idea or two of additional points to address tomorrow.
Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) over 4 years ago
Shannon - You are a consummate professional, and I hope to be as good a listing agent as you someday.  I flagged this one for a feature.
Posted by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC) over 4 years ago
Hi Shannon, you sure do a good job on your seller's reports. I'm taking notes!
Posted by Lizette Fitzpatrick - Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes - Horse Farms (Lizette Realty - Lexington KY - Richmond KY) over 4 years ago

JOHN:  Great, I hope it works out for ya! :)

LEESA:  I know...it freaks me out too...it's bad enough when our seller's don't know what we're doing but worse when our colleagues wonder what the heck you've been doing after they aquire the listing...sigh!

NORMA:  Cool!  I hope something great comes of it!

JASON:  You are so funny...you have a special "feature flag"?  Do you?  Do I have one?  The only flag I know about is the loser ie."you posted someone elses stuff" flag! :)

Posted by Shannon Lefevre, PA (John R. Wood REALTORS Inc.) over 4 years ago
Every Monday morning is report time for me. Most of the time it is done by email but sometimes I'll have a client who requires snail mail. I try to give them as much information as possible (without overwhelming)...and one of the benefits is that if a price change becomes necessary, the market reports have created the urgency before you even have to say a thing to your client. Your reports are wonderfully detailed and complete ~ everyone thinking of buying or selling in Naples Florida should absolutely hire you!
Posted by Kelly Sibilsky (Licensed Through Referral Connection, LTD.) over 4 years ago
LIZETTE:  Cool...the reviews and responses are pretty great! I hope you get the same results! :)
Posted by Shannon Lefevre, PA (John R. Wood REALTORS Inc.) over 4 years ago
KELLY:  It's so good to see you and thanks for your alway supporting comments!  You're a doll! :)
Posted by Shannon Lefevre, PA (John R. Wood REALTORS Inc.) over 4 years ago
I do seller reports every Monday morning, but you've got a much more comprehensive report.  Do I get a pass if they have 24/7 web access to loads of information?  JK....great list of services, Shannon.  Bookmarked!
Posted by Lisa Heindel, New Orleans Real Estate Broker (Crescent City Living LLC) over 4 years ago
Shannon - I've bookmarked this.  It's just brilliant and well put together.  I hadn't thought to call other listing agents to share!  Would love a lesson on how to insert google analytics into my blog.  Still challenged in that area...
Posted by Natalie Langford, Winchester, VA Real Estate (Realty Negotiations) over 4 years ago

SHANNON - Great job, as usual.  I must admit that it's been difficult for listings that languish to give a weekly update, especially when the seller is refusing to budge on the price, but you brought up some interesting points that I never would have thought of, in particular, calling competing agents.  I've had this happen occasionally because another agent wanted to show my listing because their buyer didn't want their listing, but never just to see how things were going.  Thanks for sharing your tips.  I'll call you later on.

Posted by Adam Waldman - Long Island REALTOR® (Westcott Group Real Estate Company) over 4 years ago
Shannon - Your are certainly doing your job very well when it comes to keeping your sellers updated. Nationally this is one of the biggest complaints against Realtors. Surveys say that sellers expect communication. The toughest part is speaking with a seller when there is nothing really to say. You really have your basis covered - I see you would never be at a loss for words :)
Posted by Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty) over 4 years ago
Shannon, what gets me, as being a home seller myself, is the fact that some Realtors just do not do this. I had one who never give me anything and another that gives me a report once a month. 
Posted by Danny Thornton (R & D Management) over 4 years ago

NICE! Shannon you are the consummate professional, your dedication to your clients is awesome. Every agent should do something along the same lines that you do.

Posted by Rob Baldwin, Santa Clarita REALTOR® (US ECO-GREEN REAL ESTATE INC.) over 4 years ago
great info... thanks for the blog
Posted by Anna Deal (RE/MAX Crossroads) over 4 years ago
really nice post. I wonder how many agents avoid the seller when the home is taking time to sell???
Posted by Jeffrey DiMuria www.SouthBrevardBeachHomes.com (Coldwell Banker Sun Land Realty) over 4 years ago
Shannon, Thanks for the great info.
Posted by Zen Ziejewski Laguna Niguel Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) over 4 years ago
I really love your post.. I think it's great that you choose which properties to listing.... I'll take notes whenever I get a  listing....
Posted by Donna Paul- Long Island Home Specialist Search for Long Island homes (Keller Williams Realty Greater Nassau) over 4 years ago
Great post!  I do give all that info, but I'm rather disorganized about it.  I'm going to work on an easier to follow format.
Posted by Alayna Berek (Keller Williams Realty) over 4 years ago
Hey Shannon, what a comprehensive report!  We send out a weekly report as well, and its a great tool to talk about price changes if need be.  ie...."see how many eyes are on your property?  Why don't we have any showings much less offers?"  The answer is obvious.  I talk to other agents listing properties in the same community as well.  In fact, not too long ago we ended up setting up an "open neighborhood" with 4 open houses in the same neighborhood at the same time.  It was fun.  We had lots of signage and some advertisement, and the traffic was good.  But most of all I want to know how much traffic is going through their listings.  If their traffic is good and ours isn't, its just another way to convey to sellers the necessary price decrease.  Cheers! 
Posted by Eric Everett (Keller Williams Realty Heritage) over 4 years ago
I would love more information on this. I had no idea I should be giving my seller's a report. I wouldn't even know where to start. Do I do screen shots of my pages?
Posted by Lindsay Pendleton Marketing Agent Property Management in Baton Rouge (Relocating To Baton Rouge & Surrounding Areas) over 4 years ago

Hi Shannon - I've been redoing a number of my systems, and you've just given me some great ideas on how to change my seller reports.  I really like the extra steps you take to get info for your sellers, and I've no doubt they really appreciate being kept up-to-date on the market and exposure they're getting.

Thanks for sharing!
Ann

Posted by Portsmouth NH Homes Condos - Ann Cummings New Hampshire REALTOR® (RE/MAX Coast to Coast - Portsmouth New Hampshire) over 4 years ago
Great post. My clients get a written report each week on all activity on their property. I especially like your idea of calling brokers who have listed similar properties. You are deserving of a star.
Posted by Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Wayne B. Pruner, Realtor, GRI (Oregon First) over 4 years ago
Shannon, You ARE the smart girl!! This is an excellent post on how to keep our sellers in the loop. In this more difficult market, where we have to keep sellers on board for awhile, keeping them informed is imperative. Your weekly report is very comprehensive. Great job Shannon.
Posted by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc over 4 years ago

Shannon, I like this, never thought about the Activerain data. I do a weekly report too. To re-cap the week, the biggest complaint when homeowners want to switch listing agents is that they never heard from their Realtors.

Occassionally we will get together in neighborhoods and hold the whole subdivision open for all the homes listed with different companies. Good job. 

Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor-Realtor® Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) over 4 years ago
Great job of letting us know how to keep your sellers well informed and probably lots happier than most
Posted by Michael Eisenberg Bellingham Real Estate Broker (eXp Realty) over 4 years ago

Hi Shannon,

I do a lot of this stuff, but I picked up a new idea here...about counting flyers taken and counting MLS views, where the info is available.

 

Posted by Dan Weis - CincinnatiRealEstateGuy.com (Comey & Shepherd Realtors) over 4 years ago

Shannon- Good info.....I liked what you said that you are more selective on your listings.  For years I have been selling primarily land.....but none of the lots have been selling , unless they gave them away with a money back guarantee. Now I let them expire and odn't want them back...not today, not till people start buying land again.  Change is the only thing we can do.........

And reports.....heck what do you say....Nothing again!!!!

Posted by Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) over 4 years ago
This is why you are my #1 referral source for Naples, Florida.  You think of absolutely EVERYTHING!
Posted by Ginger Wilcox (Trulia) over 4 years ago

shannon,

thanks for this info. i swear i learn something new everytime i come to activerain 

Posted by Anonymous over 4 years ago
Leesa: the responses you get when you give good service are surprising. i had a seller who was looking at me like i was crazy for reading and explaining her listing contract to her. she said she'd never even seen her agent!
Posted by Anonymous over 4 years ago
shannon and leesa, i just noticed that i was not logged in and i was typing away. oops! i am the poster with no identity. lol
Posted by Dee Neal Philadelphia Real Estate (Exit Realty The Tri State Group) over 4 years ago
I do something different for every client. Thankfully, right now I have some great sellers who are SOOO easy-going! I love it! They don't even want to hear from me every week. They only want to know if someone is happening that they need to know. And one of them just renewed and wrote me a wonderful testimonial, just for keeping him apprised of the market conditions. But yes, I do send web reports to the ones that care to receive them, amongst other things =)
Posted by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate) (Florida Property Experts) over 4 years ago
Shannon, I picked a few new ones from your post.  Thanks!
Posted by Omaha, NE Real Estate | Omaha, NE homes for sale ~ Alliance Real Estate (Alliance Real Estate) over 4 years ago
$5.00...just kidding.  I don't do weekly reports.
Posted by ARDELL DellaLoggia (Sound Realty) over 4 years ago
Shannon - Clearly, I do have a special feature flag.  The secret is...so does everyone else.  If you want to flag something for featuring, just click on the flag, then click the "Other" box and put a brief description in the text box.  I do it at least once a week.  It works many times!
Posted by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC) over 4 years ago
This is great info and you definitely hit on some points that I have been missing.  I need to get more on top of reporting to our listings.  Eye-opening!
Posted by Chelle Gassan-NOVA Realtor and Stager (RE/MAX Regency and Staged Homes VA) over 4 years ago

Hi Shannon,

 

Excellent and precise! This is exactly what we SHOULD be doing!!! Course, those of us that do, get the continuous business. Helped me pick up on a few things I forgot to do!

Thanks!

Posted by Bernie Martin over 4 years ago

Hi Shannon,

 

Gorgot to sign in first!

 

Excellent and precise info..... keeps us on track to do a great job for our Sellers and therefore future buisness!

 

Thanks for reminding us!

Bernie

 

Posted by Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) over 4 years ago
Good info!  You triggered a lot of responses!
Posted by Find a Notary Public | needAnotary (QEC Internet Services) over 4 years ago
I loved the "sucker for pretty things". There are a lot of sellers that just refuse to see what we see. It's too bad.
Posted by Christy Powers - Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent (Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners) over 4 years ago
Something I have not done in the past but will start doing now.  I normally just call 1 a week to touch base and let them know what's going on!  Thanks for sharing!
Posted by Kelly Shoemaker Realtor Broken Arrow, OK (Coldwell Banker SELECT) over 4 years ago

Shannon, this is a great post. I do some of the things you've mentioned, but my biggest thing is just being in touch with my sellers on a weekly basis.  Sure, they get emails from me, but I make a personal call each week just to let them know I'm thinking about them and working hard on getting their home sold.  It puts them at ease.

You nailed it at the end though.  I only take listings that I know will sell.  Why take a listing that's overpriced or undesirable for other reasons?  I haven't had a single expired listing in over 24 months.  I pride myself on that.  It tells me that I'm pricing them right and marketing them better than my competition. 

Thanks for a great post!

Posted by Ryan Hukill - Edmond Realtor® (ShowMeOKC Team of Paradigm AdvantEdge) over 4 years ago
Good post and good information. The networking you mention is key to more visibility.
Posted by Benjamin Realty LLC over 4 years ago

Shannon,

What a good post.  Very informative.  Great job!

Posted by Terri Poehler Coral Springs Florida (Re/Max Professionals Real Estate) over 4 years ago
Thanks for the informative post.  I can only imagine what the world would be like if every listing agent were to provide weekly reports.  Thanks again.
Posted by x x (x) over 4 years ago

Shannon -

Great post!  I try to do my seller's reports every week...it seems like lately I've been getting to it every other week.  I have found it easier to do the feedback from other agents and their buyers through homefeedback.com.  It makes my job much easier.  I also send the Realtor.com reports on hits on their listing.  They know that when they are getting a ton of hits but not many showings that they need to pay more attention when I suggest a price reduction.,  It really helps. 

Posted by Lori Mode and Bruce Durham 916-230-0371 DRE License #00935148 and #00875356 (Keller Williams Realty - Elk Grove, CA Homes for Sale) over 4 years ago
Hi Shannon:  You have really put together a great blueprint for making a top-notch weekly report to your seller.  There are some really great ideas here I can use.  Thanks so much for sharing.
Posted by Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County) over 4 years ago

Hi Shannon,

I am a newbie here and I have spent the last week or so just reading to get the feel of things. (This is my first time in a network like this) I have not come across any blog's yet that I wanted to comment on until I seen your posting. (haven't got comfortable enough is really the truth)

I spend two to three hours every Sunday working up my reports and my husband thinks I am crazy!  As if I didn't work enough already!  I think about what I would want from my Realtor, if I was the seller, and that is what I send my seller's. They are always telling me how much they look forward to those reports, especially my out of town sellers, to keep up with the market "First Hand". 

I thought I had it all down pat but I have gotten a couple of good additions from your posting! Thank you for the posting and for "Bringing me out of my shell!"

 

Posted by Rhonda Cheek (Harry Norman, Realtors) over 4 years ago
Very nice post and good info. Now if I can just find the time to get all this stuff done...
Posted by Dennis Swartz (FirstService Residential Realty) over 4 years ago
Shannon...  Another fantastic post!  We do a similar weekly report by email and include website statistics too.  I think it is really important to keep sellers informed along the way so that you are not chasing the market.
Posted by Debbie Summers - MoveToLakeMary.com or 407-758-1020 (Charles Rutenberg Realty - Orlando, Florida) over 4 years ago

Great post.  I love the idea of using graphics.  I typically call with the details, but an e-mail would be great.

 Thanks!

Posted by Ahwatukee Real Estate Expert, Dawn Workman, MBA 480-540-8100 (Veracity Real Estate Group, LLC) over 4 years ago

Great post.  I love the idea of using graphics.  I typically call with the details, but an e-mail would be great.

 Thanks!

Posted by Ahwatukee Real Estate Expert, Dawn Workman, MBA 480-540-8100 (Veracity Real Estate Group, LLC) over 4 years ago

Great post.  I love the idea of using graphics.  I typically call with the details, but an e-mail would be great.

 Thanks!

Posted by Ahwatukee Real Estate Expert, Dawn Workman, MBA 480-540-8100 (Veracity Real Estate Group, LLC) over 4 years ago
Shannon, I bookmarked this.  I do weekly reports and email stats from REALTOR.com, Active Rain, and visual tours, but yours is much more extensive.  I always try to find the best at something and then strive for it.  I will have to review my report and improve.  Thanks for the post.
Posted by Steve Hermann (Coldwell Banker Heritage REALTORS) over 4 years ago
I must say that, although I have not read all of your posts, the one's that I have read have been either funny, insightful, or both, and I have learned from all of them. Thanks for the great posts.
Posted by Fernandina Beach Realtor® Danial Dansereau (Watson Realty Corp.) over 4 years ago

Shannon,

DUMB QUESTION:  How do you get the stats from your Active Rain Activity?

Not sure how to track this yet.

 

Thanks!

 

Posted by Erika Fultz (Century 21) over 4 years ago
Shannon, a good post with some nice ideas--I'm going to have to come back and keep an eye on your blog!
Posted by Kent Simpson 520.302.5368 Tucson Homes Land & Investment (Tierra Antigua Realty - Downtown) over 4 years ago
I agree with Shannon - it is what we have to do to communicate with our Sellers. I also have great tool from Virtual Tour - they prepare report on how many times and where Virtual Tour on specific house was viewed. Very professional graphs. You guys should check out.
Posted by Elena Mendez (Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living) about 4 years ago
Hello Shannon - There are so many things involved in what you should report to your clients.  Thank you for the information.
Posted by Michael Fowler Broker/Owner Fowler Realty (Fowler Realty Quad Cities) about 4 years ago
Thanks for the good tips!
Posted by David Larson (Lancer Group Properties) about 4 years ago

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