It’s true. The market remains a "challenge" for buyers at all price points, and yet the market ebbs and flows each month, each week, each day. So, can serious buyers still secure superior properties as they compete in the multiple offer madness? Absolutely! I always like to discuss and analyze the unique buying power of each of my clients, and every situation is different. Overall, we want to write the cleanest offer possible. We write to win! So what does "clean" look like in today’s market? Here are just a few things we discuss:

• Money talks! Many homes are selling over list price, so be prepared to put your best foot forward. If you have cash to cover an appraisal gap and a large down payment, you look even better to sellers, and just may have a leg up on your competition. 
• Home to sell? Let’s find a way for you to be non-contingent. Creative financing options exist and you don’t know until you explore every option. Let’s chat! 
• Inspection Contingency? Some buyers are forgoing this contingency, which sellers love. Other buyers choose to do a “Peace of Mind" inspection or they write a clause stating that they will not be asking for repairs.
• Flexible close date? Excellent! Sellers are often suggesting their preferred closing timeframe and if you can work around that, you just might win!

This is just a sampling of what our buyers are writing in order to win. If you are wondering what you can do to win in this market and need help planning for success, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are happy to help!

Well, here we are! Can you believe summer has come? The warm weather has certainly warmed up the real estate market. We are finding that as our economy starts opening up, real estate has never really closed down.
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Sellers: This is an amazing time for sellers, as many who have contemplated selling have paused, due to the coronavirus threat. Many of the vulnerable population have decided to wait this out a bit or to move out of their new homes first and sell once they have vacated the property they are moving from. Therefore, those who have chosen to market their homes during this time are enjoying multiple offers and high demand for nearly all properties that are in good repair and ready for an eager buyer to call home. We may see inventory begin to rise as the lockdowns ease up and people start getting back to what “normal” will look like from here on out; yet we would have to see almost triple the inventory with no change in buyer demand to actually find ourselves in a shift to a more balanced market.

Buyers: This is an amazing time for buyers, as well, with the lowest interest rates we have ever seen in the market. Be aware, that as inventory remains low and interest rates remain low, prices will continue to rise, so this will become a factor in the buying decision of many who would like to enter the market at lower price points. We are finding nearly every well priced home in the under $300,000 market will likely see multiple offers. We like to educate buyers before they choose to enter this competitive market, so that they can be fully prepared for the tenacity and aggressive actions needed to secure a home, especially in the lower price ranges.

Your situation is unique. We want to help. If you are looking to make a move, give me a call and our team is happy to assist in every detail, from evaluating whether this is the right time for you to seller or buy (or both!), to the prepping of your home and mindset, to guiding you step by step through the process. We are always happy to help!

I was sitting at a dining room table at a builder model the other day… My clients, the builder representative and myself, each equally spread out around the table, e-signing documents for my buyers to purchase a new home. I commented that it all seemed a little too “normal.” And then, the builder rep walked away and came back, announcing, “I’ve got the sanitizer!” Ahhh… Yes! The econo-sized sanitizer bottle brought us all back to the realities of the “new normal” that we are learning to expect-not only in real estate but in all of life.

As we practice social distancing, sanitizing, sheltering in place, and connecting online, as much as we are able, we have realized that everyone has their own thoughts around what “normal” is today and what they expect it to be. As a Realtor, I have learned that my clients still need homes and I am still happy to serve them in whatever way they feel most comfortable. This looks different in every case.

So what is the best practice for real estate related activities for OUR team? For us, it is completely dependent on the unique perspectives of our clients. We want to be sensitive to every need of our clients. Therefore, we have created Zoom listing appointments, Zoom buyer consultations, virtual showing opportunities, private showings with only one buyer group at a time, and we continue to expand the idea of “normal,” where real estate is concerned.

Whereas some see change as an inconvenience, we have found our clients enjoy the ease with which we are able to adjust to the “new normal” and pivot to online consultations where they can meet with me from the comfort of their own computer. There are times we meet in person, as described above, yet much of the pre-listing and pre-buyer work can be done without any contact at all.
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Are you considering a move? If so, give me a call and we can discuss your preferred way of connecting, and customize a plan that takes your safety and comfortability concerns to heart. We are always happy to help!