Despite the current environment, many houses are still selling. In the majority of markets, real estate is an essential service, and the motivations of buyers and sellers haven't disappeared. People still have to move for jobs, are getting married, divorced, having children, and /or have moves dictated by their financial situations.
If you are in that selling mode-or just want to move to the next state of your life--have no fear! Selling your house is not only possible; it's systematic for most agents. Here are three tactics to take:
GO VIRTUAL
The majority of activities involved with listing your home can be done virtually.
- The paperwork (online and off) is already something your agent can do remotely, and digital signatured allow all parties to connect from a safe social distance
- Your agent can set up a virtual tour of your home and can advise you on professional listing photos that will help buyers fall in love with your house.
- Title searches and closings are also great fits for a virtual solution.
- The first step is to get everything as virtual as possible!
GET SERIOUS
In the end, you only need one buyer to commit to the house. Work with your agent to limit in-person activity from anyone who isn't a serious buyer. Ensuring that buyers are preapproved is a necessity.
Additionally, proper online marketing by your agent (along with tight communication with buyer agents) Can get your house in from of the people most likely to be interested in buying it. Ask your agent to keep you in the loop with their marketing activities, whether it's through weekly reports on how your listing is performing online, or regular check-ins by phone.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
This isn't a normal transaction, and everyone realizes this. As soon as you've worked with your agent to go as virtual as possible, identify what activities you're comfortable with happening live, and what doesn't work.
- Most sellers aren't comfortable with open houses, so skipping these or doing them virtually is the likely plan
- Talk with your agent about what safety standards will be followed by any serious buyers who will enter the house. You are within your rights to talk through safety standards as much as you want.
- An inspection will need to happen, so select an inspector familiar with CDC standards for social distancing, cleanliness, and face covering.
CONCLUSION
Listings are still selling, and there is a system to ensure it's done in the safest way possible. For many sellers, it's a great time to consider a cash offer from a company such as keller Offers. These transactions are mostly virtual and do not involve the in-person contact of open houses and showings. Either way you want to go, a Keller Offers Certified Agent can help lead the way!