Who could have imagined the world could change so much in 30 days? As we all make adjustments to how we plan our days, from strategic shopping trips to becoming proficient with new technology, one thing is certain, where there is a will there is a way.
We closed the Oakwyn Offices on March 13th and have all been working from home. The Government declared Real Estate an essential service, as many of my colleagues have cautiously needed to keep working.
I am grateful I did not have any clients between a selling and buying transaction, who may have been possibly homeless. There are still a trickle of transactions happening and as yet no noticeable shifts in pricing, although as job losses mount and the credit situation gets tighter it could be a very different market come summer.
Necessity is the mother of invention, so although not a new concept, more and more homes are being shown through video tours, matterport (3D guided tour) and virtual showings, with many agents saying they will keep working this way in the future. Could the days of 20 pairs of shoes at the front door of a busy weekend open house be a thing of the past?
Now only fully qualified and pre-screened buyers are getting appointments to view homes, with a requirement to sign waivers, agreeing to wear masks and not touch anything. Having already virtually decided on the property, viewing the property is often now a subject in an offer. This makes for a slowed down process that puts safety first and separates the serious from the speculative. In my books this is a win-win for everyone.
Feel free to call me for a market update anytime.