The effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic are undeniable. It has reshaped the way people live their lives and pushed most industries to pivot their operations. The real estate industry is no exception.
The onset of the lockdown has seen home sales at an all-time low. Homeowners were not willing to let go of their properties. Likewise, homebuyers chose to bide their time and hold on to their money because things were so uncertain.
Today, the property market has rebounded. Buyers are raring to move out of the city, upsize to homes with flexi spaces as work-from-home arrangements become a permanent option, and in Phoenix, Arizona, at least, millennials and retirees alike are jostling for their literal spot in the dry, desert sun.
Home sales in the area increased by 11.4% in 2020, with prices expected to rise by 7% this year. However, inventory has yet to catch up with the demand. So, if you are looking to offload your home, now is the perfect time to do so.
Below are a few tips that can guide you through selling your home in the midst of the new normal:
- Deal with repairs and improvements while at home
With the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country, most states are once again imposing lockdown orders to halt the spread of the virus. While being forced to stay at home isn’t ideal, it is best to take advantage of this downtime to upgrade your home and deal with repairs that you have put off.
- Forgo plans for an open house
Open houses are an effective tool for getting a property off of the market quickly. However, at this time, it isn’t in your best interest to have strangers walk around your house. COVID-19 spreads from one person to another through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. The more people you have at home, the more likely is your exposure to the virus. It is best to err on the side of safety and cancel all of your planned open houses.
- Take advantage of technology
Just because open houses are canceled doesn’t mean you don’t have any means to showcase your property. In this day and age, technology allows you to present your home to a prospective buyer without having to meet face to face. Virtual tours and online open houses are options that you can take to reach your target market.
- Take precautions during in-person appointments
Buying a home is a huge financial undertaking. It is rare, near impossible to be honest, to come across a buyer who is willing to purchase a property without seeing it in person. An in-house visit is necessary to close a deal. During these visits, make sure to sanitize high touch areas more than once. Wear masks at all times and maintain social distance.
- Limit in-person transactions
The tricky part of selling a house in the time of COVID lies before you accept an offer. After that, most of the transactions, including contract signing, can be done remotely.
During these uncertain times, safety should be your number one priority. Taking precautions and opting to go virtual might lengthen the selling process but these are steps that you should be willing to take in order to keep your family healthy.
We at Aeris House Properties can help you navigate through the new home selling process. With years of experience, our team is made up of the best real estate agents in Arizona. So why wait? Contact us today to learn more about your options. Call 602.671.2343 or email info(at)aerishouse(dotted)com to help you sell your Arizona home today.