IS IT SAFE TO SELL MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW?
You decided to sell your house. That is the first step. BUT then the Pandemic hit and you decided to hold off. Now…over 6 months later, you realize that holding off until this is all over might not be a possibility. The virus is still here. Things are still in the air about lockdowns and cures and just everything! So what do you do now? Is it safe?
In the real estate market today, the buzz is all about how NOW is the time to sell your house. Buyer demand is extremely high, and there are not enough homes available to buy to meet that growing need. This means now is the time to make a move so you can close the deal on your ideal terms. << MORE MONEY $$
Even in today’s strong sellers’ market, there are homeowners who are choosing not to sell due to ongoing concerns around the health crisis, financial uncertainty, and life in general.
According to Zillow, here are the top three reasons homeowners who are thinking of selling sometime in the next three years are not putting their houses on the market right now:
- 34% – Life is too uncertain right now
- 31% – Financial uncertainty
- 25% – COVID-19 health concerns
If you identify with any of these, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Whether it’s the future of your employment situation or simply being uncomfortable having guests in your home for showings, life feels a lot different than it did at this time last year. The good news is, I have spent the majority of 2020 figuring out how to sell homes safely, and it’s paying off for those who are choosing to move this year.
I doing two things very well to make selling your house possible:
1. Implementing Technology in the Process
While abiding by state and local regulations as a top priority, I am making sales happen safely and effectively by leveraging key pieces of technology. I know exactly what today’s buyers and sellers need and how to put the necessary digital steps in place. Here is the technology buyers find most helpful when deciding on a new home:
- Virtual tours
- Accurate and detailed listing information
- Detailed neighborhood information
- High-quality listing photos
- Agent-led video chats (Zoom, Facetime, you name it, I am here for you)
I listen to my audience and clients and leverage the tools that help buyers get an initial look at a home without having to step inside. This helps reduce the number of people entering your home, so only those who are very seriously interested need to take the next step: in-person showings.
2. Facilitating Safe and Effective In-Person Showings
After leveraging technology, if you have serious buyers who still want to see your house in person, I follow the guidelines set by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and utilizing safe ways to proceed. Check out the guidelines here.
Here are a few of them, understanding again thatmy top priority is always to follow state and local restrictions first:
- Limiting in-person activity
- Requiring guests to wash their hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizer
- Removing shoes or covering them with booties
- Following CDC guidance on social distancing and wearing face coverings
Getting comfortable with your agent – a true trusted advisor – taking these steps under the modern-era safety standards might be your best plan. This is especially important if you’re in a position where you need to sell your house sooner rather than later.
“Homeowners who feel life is uncertain right now may think they can still get a strong price if they delay selling until they have more clarity. The catch is that waiting to sell may raise the cost of a trade-up. This fall’s record low mortgage rates, which make a trade-up more affordable on a monthly basis, are not guaranteed to last.”
Thinking about Selling?
In this new era in our lives, things are shifting quickly, and virtual strategies for sellers may be your ideal option. Opening your doors up to new approaches could be game-changing when it comes to selling your house while the market is leaning in your favor. Contact me today so you have a trusted real estate professional to help you safely and effectively navigate all that’s new when it comes to making your next move.