Real estate during a pandemic

Like so many people in so many different industries, Realtors have had to scramble to figure out how to serve our clients and customers during an unprecedented time. While real estate has been deemed essential (after a short period of time being completely shut down), this designation comes with strict limitations. Appraisals and inspections are all still occurring, banks are processing mortgage applications, attorneys are scheduling closings. While business isn’t exactly as usual for those providers, real estate agents are the ones who have had to adjust our practices the most. Realtors are people focused; we spend our days meeting with prospective listing clients, showing buyers possible homes, attending brokers opens and spending our Sundays hosting open houses. We are always around other people.

While things have certainly changed, and will likely continue to change as we navigate the current crisis, we have been working diligently to provide our clients the level of service and advice they have come to expect of us.

For prospective listing clients, we have shifted from in-person to virtual listing presentations, utilizing Zoom, FaceTime or whatever our clients preferred contact mode might be. All paperwork is completed electronically. We take photos, measurements and videos of homes when no one else is present. We wipe any surfaces we touch and wear disposable booties/remove our shoes. We implement both our standard, high quality marketing plan as well as enhanced virtual marketing including virtual tours (live and pre-recorded), virtual showings, and live virtual open houses on social media. You determine what level of showing activity that works for your situation. Bottom line, we work with you to ensure everyone is as safe as possible.

If you are looking to purchase a home now, there are options available to you as well. We will meet virtually to discuss your real estate goals and make a plan. Home showing options include virtual appointments via FaceTime or Facebook video chat. Additionally, some home owners choose to allow unaccompanied tours for serious buyers, who have shown they are financially able to purchase the home if they chose to make an offer. Again, paperwork can be done electronically and offer negotiating completed remotely.

Only you can determine is this is the right time to move forward with your real estate plans. If now is the right time, we will employ all of our experience as well as the latest technology to get you where you want to be. If you decide to put your plans on the back burner for now, we will be here when you are ready.