By John Cabezas with LIV AZ Realty
In today’s hot real estate market everyone is talking about the fact that there has never been a better time to sell your house. The demand from buyers is still high, and there simply aren’t enough homes available to buy to meet that demand. What does that mean to you? This means that now is the time to make a move.
Even in today’s strong sellers’ market, some homeowners are choosing not to sell due to ongoing concerns around the health crisis, financial uncertainty, and life in general.
Zillow gives us the top three reasons homeowners are not putting their houses on the market right now: life is too uncertain, financial uncertainty, and COVID-19 health concerns.
If any of these reasons strikes a cord, you’re not alone. You may be concerned over the future of your employment situation. Perhaps you are simply uncomfortable having strangers walk through your home due to health concerns. The results: it’s paying off for those who are choosing to move this year. Professional realtors use two main approaches to make selling your house as safe as possible.
Using Technology Wisely
Professional realtors are marketing and promoting homes safely and effectively by leveraging key pieces of technology. They know what today’s buyers and sellers need and how to put digital steps in place.
Examples include:
• Creating virtual tours
• Assuring accurate and detailed listing information
• Detailed neighborhood information
• Providing the highest quality photos to showcase your listing
• Video chats
Realtors are listening carefully to their audience and leveraging the technology and tools that help buyers view every aspect of your listing without having to physically visit your listing.
Realtors Are Conducting Safe In-Person Showings
Leveraging technology is critical in today’s market. If you have serious buyers who want to see your home in person, realtors are following the established guidelines set by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Your realtor’s top priority is always to follow state and local restrictions:
• Limiting in-person activity to serious buyers.
• Requiring buyers and their realtor to wash their hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Visitors remove their shoes or cover them with booties.
• Following CDC guidance on social distancing and wearing face coverings.
Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist for Zillow, notes: “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.”
In this new era of health concerns due to COVID-19, you must have a plan for the safety of everyone involved. Virtual strategies, along with in-person protocols, is the ideal plan. To learn more, you can reach us at livazrealty.com or by phone at 480-399-7051 or 602-300-0797.
John Cabezas spent 25 years as an executive in corporate America, has co-written a real estate book, and is currently a partner and Realtor at LIV AZ Realty. In his 20 years as a Realtor, John has been involved in major remodel and renovation projects throughout the Valley. View his real estate blog at livazrealty.com.
