You may be considering listing your home but may be concerned about the market timing with the current COVID-19 pandemic. Rest assured sales are still active in the market, though things have changed in how we approach your home sale. Let’s look at some of the differences and how Realtors are making sure your home gets safely sold during these challenging times.
- Great Photos, Videos, Virtual Walk-Throughs, Etc. are more important than ever. Buyers are hesitant to leave their houses and want to gather as much information as they can prior to scheduling a showing. Having well-done professional photos has always been important and are even more so now. Though now buyers will want a walk-through video that shows the layout and features of the home that aren’t as noticeable in photos only.
- Details, Details, Details. When listing your home it is more imperative than ever to list any details about your home that you want to feature. Again, with buyers being pickier and pickier about the homes they schedule showings for, as a seller, you need to list everything about the home. A suggested item to include with the listing is a feature sheet that lists the upgrades and nuances of your home.
- No More Open Houses. The National Association of Realtors and some cities have restricted Realtors from performing open houses. So none for now.
- Buyers Who View Your Home Now Are More Serious. After reviewing your home’s details, photos and videos extensively online, a buyer may want to schedule a private showing. Buyers in the current market today and more serious than ever if they are scheduling a showing. They are willing to take the risk of entering your home with other people in order to buy it. That means they REALLY like your home if they are coming to view it.
- Safety Precautions. More and more we are seeing safety steps by both Realtors and buyers when viewing your home. They drive separately, don’t physically interact, sanitize, and use standard social distancing guidelines. I recommend hand sanitizer at the entryway for both in and out. Leaving a note for visitors is a good idea to remind them of your personal safety precautions as well. Here is a link to NAR guidelines for showings homes: https://www.nar.realtor/coronavirus-a-guide-for-realtors
- Contracts and Closings Moving More Towards Electronic or Virtual Signings. To prevent interactions contracts and paperwork are almost all done electronically right now. Sending in the binder deposit for a contract is being done via wire transfers online. And, title companies are moving their closing to virtual or online signings to accommodate for social distancing guidelines.
Buyers are still out in large numbers buying. The homes that are priced well and marketed correctly for today’s market are getting a lot of attention and going under contract quickly. With interest rates near historic lows buyers are poised to take advantage of a great time to buy. If you are considering listing your home for sale please reach out and we can tailor a specific market plan that will help sell your home and keep you and your family safe.