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5 TIPS TO SUCCESSFULLY SELL YOUR SEATTLE HOME DURING COVID
Even with COVID restrictions, the Seattle real estate market continues to be very strong. We find that our sellers who follow these 5 steps are more successful in this market, often selling over list price with multiple offers. While your market may be faster, or slower, than Seattle, in the time of COVID, it is best to be prepared.
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VACATE YOUR HOME:
Selling a home that is occupied is challenging enough, let alone in a global pandemic. For the safety of you and your family, it’s best to not reside in the home while it is on the market. If you are in a faster market such as Seattle, you should be able to sell your home within a week which means it’s the perfect time to book an AirBnb vacation. Or consider purchasing/renting your next home first, move in, and then list your property for sale.
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PRE-MARKET PREP:
An experienced broker will walk through your home and provide you with a list of updates and repairs that should be done before you go to market. In our COVID market, buyers are looking for a home to move in to right away. They are not excited about projects, and will often skip over the home that needs repairs to pay more for the home that is move-in ready. The difference between selling quick with a multiple offer situation starts with first impressions. Make sure yours is the best possible first impression you can make.
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PPE:
If you are going to be living in the home while it is on the market, make sure that you or your broker are supplying PPE supplies for buyers when touring. This includes face masks and hand sanitizer. Be prepared to sanitize bathrooms, door handles and any other surfaces that may be touched after you return home each day.
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VIRTUAL TOURS:
Make sure to ask your broker about their marketing plans to feature your home to the most buyers. In addition to professional photos, find out if they offer measured floor plans and 3D virtual tours. Most importantly, since open houses are still not allowed in most cities including Seattle, ask if your broker will conduct a live-feed open house to prospective buyers. We recently invested in a Insta 360 Nano S camera and love how it can feature the home while we tour (see an example of our most recent tour here).
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HIRE A FULL-SERVICE EXPERIENCED BROKER:
Having to work with new COVID restrictions and a finicky market, now is not the time to hire your dog walker’s cousin who just got their license, or a discount broker. Now, more than ever, you need the assurance that your property is represented in its best light with maximum exposure. When interviewing a potential broker, you may want to ask them:
- How many homes have you sold in COVID?
- Have you successfully listed AND sold houses in COVID? How many had multiple offers?
- What are buyers looking for right now?
- How do you market and promote your listings given open houses are not permitted?
- Do you provide 3D tours?
- Do you require a seller provided pre-inspection of the home and sewer line?
- What is your plan for offer reviews?
Taking these tips into consideration will help support a successful sale. Thinking of selling? Let’s connect and help you get started.
5 TIPS TO HOME OWNERSHIP IN SEATTLE DURING COVID
On March 23rd, our world in the State of Washington changed as we know it. As we all hunkered down into our homes, many of us realized that perhaps it was no longer the “right” home. With more free time available, and little to do but shop online, we have noticed an uptick of interest among Seattle home buyers.
Prior to the impacts of COVID-19, Seattle’s real estate market was in full force. We saw a slow down after Gov. Inslee’s Stay at Home Order went into effect, but once real estate was deemed an essential service, we were back in action. While there are strict guidelines in place on how and when we can show homes, we continue to see multiple offers on homes that are in tip-top shape and priced accordingly.
In other words, there are no great “deals” to be had right now in Seattle. And now, more than ever, buyers need to be prepared. Here’s a few tips and tricks for success in Seattle’s real estate market during the time of COVID:
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KNOW THYSELF:
It’s time to take a deep dive into your home ownership desires and truly understand your wants and needs. With the current restrictions, gone are the days of open houses and full day tours. In fact, your broker may only be able to show you 2-3 properties in person. So it’s crucial to be laser focused on what you really want. Try using a helpful tool like our Buyer Brainstorm to explore all of the characteristics in a home that you might want to consider. If you have a spouse or partner purchasing with you, have them fill out the Buyer Brainstorm separately, then compare and contrast.
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GET APPROVED:
At this point, no real estate broker is going to take on the risk of public exposure if you are not fully pre-approved for a loan. The loan application can almost entirely be processed online and you will receive the knowledge and assurance that you can afford the right home. Ask your friends, colleagues, family or your real estate broker for lender referrals. Most importantly, you should be working with seasoned mortgage broker who has experience with lending in challenging times and is willing to answer your call on a Saturday.
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FIND AN EXPERIENCED REAL ESTATE BROKER:
Now is not the time to work with your cousin’s dog walker who just got into real estate. More importantly, working with a discount brokerage will more often than not, cause you to lose money in the long run. Let’s be honest, the market is still active, but it’s challenging . . . very challenging. You need a full-time professional broker on your side advocating for you every step of the way. Ask your friends, family and colleagues for a referral. Then check their online reputation. How are their reviews on Google or Zillow? Have they given attention to their website? If they can’t be bothered with presenting themselves professionally online, how well will they represent you?
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BE INTENTIONAL:
Because public open houses are not currently permitted, your opportunity to explore options is limited. While some listings have virtual open houses or 3D tours, you can be proactive by first driving by properties of interest before scheduling showings. Explore the surrounding neighborhood amenities to ensure it has your list of requirements. While there, use Google’s Commute tracker to ensure the commute will be livable once we are all back to “normal.”
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KNOW THE RULES:
As of today, only two people are permitted to view a home at once, one of which is your real estate broker. You must wear a mask, and will be asked to sanitize hands as you enter. You may also be asked to fill out a survey of your health history and exposure to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Each showing is by appointment only, and limited typically between 15-30 minutes. It is important to remember that we are all under the same restrictions and need to practice extra patience, understanding and flexibility.
The good news is that inventory is up and there are several opportunities for Buyers. With knowledge and patience, you can be successful in this market. Ready to explore home buying in Seattle? Download our Buyers Guide outlining our simple 8-Step plan to home ownership and contact us to setup a Zoom intake call.
