Selling Property in the White Mountains during Corona Virus
In a recent survey by realtor.com, people thinking about selling their homes said that they would be willing to allow their top tier agent and qualified potential buyers inside if the buyer has been pre-screened and pre-approved. An open house got a strong “no”. This is understandable, given the corona virus aka covid 19 health concerns associated with social contact these days. The question is, if you need to sell your house now, who will bring skills with virtual practices to the table to make sure you, your family, and potential buyers stay safe in the process and your home is only entered when absolutely necessary?
It’s more important than ever, in today’s environment, to have an agent with a lot of experience with his digital game plan, and an effective online marketing strategy when selling your house or condo here in the White Mountains of NH and ME. I make sure your listing photos and virtual tours stand out from the crowd, truly giving buyers a detailed, thorough, attractive-yet-realistic view of your home. Great documentation and attractive images, along with video and 360 degree virtual image tours, are just the tip of the spear. The work really begins once the look and feel is captured. Bringing those images to the eyes of buyers is the goal from that point forward. Bringing that buyer experience to its full potential serves as a screening process for both buyer and seller.
Should you sell your home during Covid-19?
So, if you’re ready to move forward, virtual practices will help you win big when you’re ready to sell. The buyers shopping at this time will tend to be very serious and focused. Virtual tours and live video not only add to the selling opportunity but also act as a screening process. This limits the number of people entering your home. Inventory is still low. While abiding by state and local regulations and guidelines is a top priority, a great real estate agent can help make your sale happen within those limitations. Agents that can handle the ups and downs are still working and know exactly what today’s buyers need, and how to put the necessary digital strategies in place. For example, according to the same survey, when asked to select what technology would be most helpful when deciding on a new home, here’s what today’s homebuyers said, in order of preference:
- Virtual tour of the home (I also use 360 virtual tours)
- Accurate and detailed listing information
- Detailed neighborhood information
- High-quality listing photos
- Agent-led video chat
After leveraging technology, if you have buyers ready to proceed with a tour, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there are ways to proceed safely. Here are a few of the guidelines, understanding that the top priority should always be to obey state and local restrictions and guidelines:
- Limit in-person, on site activity
- Require customers/clients etc to use an alcohol-based sanitizer
- Cover shoes with booties (or stay on taped paper pathways).
- Follow CDC guidance on social distancing and wearing face coverings
- Wear a face covering over nose and mouth at all times on site
A good comfort level with your agent – a true trusted advisor – following best safety practices and guidelines will be your best plan. This is especially important if you’re in a position where you need to sell your house or condo sooner rather than later. The Mt Washington valley real estate market has 4 seasons of activity, even now (listed and under contract in 4 days last week) but the undeniable peak is the 10 week summer. Waiting can be expensive.
Nate Johnson, CMO at realtor.com ® notes:
“As real estate agents and consumers seek out ways to safely complete these transactions, we believe that technology will become an even more imperative part of how we search for, buy and sell homes moving forward.”
The virtual review process is here to stay and agents (and their sellers) that aren’t prepared should move now to adapt.
Bottom Line in the Mt Washington Valley of NH and Maine
Virtual strategies have been the core of my business simply because of the nature of second homes. In the new era of less contact real estate transactions, these strategies are now essential. Digital tools and networks are game changers when you want to sell your property in the White Mountains. Let’s connect so you have a trusted real estate professional to help you safely and effectively navigate through all that’s new when it comes to making your next move.
- Bill Barbin is a well known real estate broker in the Mt Washington Valley of NH and Maine with Keller Williams Lakes and Mtns Realty in North Conway NH 03860 and can be reached at 603-986-0385