For example it would be useful for the seller to know what the home builders in the area are offering as incentives. Showing your seller the builder’s emails and flyers that you are receiving promoting huge incentives to both potential buyers and real estate agents who bring the builder a buyer will show the seller what they are up against.

Additionally you should provide MLS information to the seller that shows when or if they have “lost a buyer” during the course of their listing. Take a look at the seller’s neighborhood or market area to see if any home in that area has went under contract since you took their listing. This information will be critical to you and your seller. If buyers are buying in that area, what are they buying? How much? How long was the house on the market? If no sales have taken place, then even if the seller’s home is the lowest priced in the neighborhood that low may not be low enough.

Making sure your seller knows what you know will result in a healthy listing inventory and an increase in sales.

Over the past few years I have noticed fewer virtual tours and fewer photos being entered with an agents listing.  I have heard the reasons, virtual tours are too expensive or it is a short sale listing so there is no real need to go to all of that trouble of adding multiple photos or a tour.

Excuse me while I disagree.  Virtual tours and especially photos have never been more important for marketing real estate.  With most real estate markets now heavy on the supply side of the supply and demand equation, an agent who understands what it takes to be successful will make sure they use all avenues possible to separate their 3 bedroom, 2 bath home priced at $150,000 subject to a short sale from the 50 other 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes priced at $150,000 subject to a short sale in the same neighborhood.

Multiple photos are one such avenue.