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Buying and Selling Real Estate During the Pandemic
John Sass, broker owner of CENTURY 21 Cedarcrest Realty
While we all work through the COVID-19 pandemic, the business of real estate continues in different ways. For homeowners wishing to sell and prospective buyers looking for their new home, conducting real estate transactions continues, with modifications.
CENTURY 21® Real Estate LLC has been a national leader in real estate technology, with strong marketing and listing tools. Technology now plays a central and highly visible role in how real estate is done now—from the virtual sales meetings that brokerages hold for their agents to virtual tours posted online for buyers.
Technology brings efficiency and safety
At CENTURY 21 Cedarcrest Realty, we had already been doing extensive virtual tours, created by our system automatically with images shot by professional photographers. These provide buyers with a full view of a home’s interior and exterior; they’re a great way for buyers to save time as they get a feel for home styles, narrow down their search to which properties to see in person, and make informed decisions about what they can afford. These video tours are augmented by floor plans of each home on the MLS listing, which further help buyers in their decision-making process.
Buyers appreciate the ability to view homes online at their convenience and from any distance; and in today’s environment, sellers appreciate that this limits the number of people coming into their home.
We also stay in touch with our customers via video chat and Facebook Live (as well as phone and email, of course) and are using various online meeting platforms to connect with our sales associates and strategic partners as more people work remotely.
Coronavirus safety protocols
Early in the pandemic, CENTURY 21 Cedarcrest Realty implemented our nationwide system’s buyer and seller showing protocols, which are designed to protect all parties involved and ensure that everyone who works with our team is comfortable. In fact, we will only work with other professionals and customers who follow our prescribed safety measures.
- Anyone entering a home must wear gloves, a mask, and shoe booties: real estate agents, buyers, photographers, appraisers, and home inspectors.
- The homeowners are asked to turn on all the lights in the house and leave while the photographer is there to take pictures. This avoids unnecessary contact with light switches and people.
- We conduct in-person, one-on-one showings only (no open houses). Again, all the lights are on in advance and buyers and agents (and sellers) adhere to the six-foot distancing rule.
- Our agents must state in writing that they have not had the virus, as do all buyers and sellers with whom we do business. If any party to the transaction did have the virus, this must be disclosed, and all parties must acknowledge this and consent to moving forward.
- Buyers must get preapprovals from their mortgage company before seeing a property. This limits the number of people viewing a home in a certain price range; and in today’s market, with historically low interest rates, this prequalification also benefits the buyer to lock into a low rate now.
- Attorneys and title companies are working virtually, with electronic documents and e-signature capabilities for contactless paperwork and closings with limited contact.
- Our two office locations are disinfected regularly, conference room use is limited, and measures are in place to reduce the potential for infection from secondary contact from surfaces.
At CENTURY 21 Cedarcrest, we have the experience, market knowledge, and real estate technology to adapt to the rapidly changing world we are now in. We have a range of listings—single-family homes, condos, and townhouses—in great suburban locations. After you’ve taken a few virtual video tours, contact us to arrange a showing.
In the Office, at an Expo, Online or at an Open House: Real Estate Marketing Happens in Many Places for Cedarcrest Realty’s Team
Three of the real estate professionals from CENTURY 21 Cedarcrest Realty recently attended the North Jersey Woman Expo at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. Paula Cano, Carolyn Maloney and Lizette Brown were at our exhibitor table, handing out giveaways (including snacks labeled with their contact information) and chatting it up with attendees about the local real estate market.
This was the third year that Carolyn has represented us at the expo and a first for Paula and Lizette, who left with many leads to follow up on from people who may be planning to buy or sell a home in the area in the foreseeable future. Lizette had information to share about a new listing that had just come in for her team, so the expo provided good marketing exposure for that.
More good exposure came from our gift basket raffle; the basket drew people’s attention to our table and many stopped by to leave a business card for the drawing. This provided additional opportunities for our agents to speak to them about what we do at CENTURY 21 Cedarcrest. As it so happens, the woman who won the basket is currently renovating her home in anticipation of putting it on the market. Given that she had a chance to chat with Paula at the show, Paula is now following up about and will meet with her to do a comprehensive market analysis for the house.
When our agents are not at business expos meeting hundreds of people, they are busy cultivating and working listings in other ways. For example, Carolyn and Jacqueline Cabrera, who often work as a team, have visited a condominium community across the street from our Caldwell office to hand out flower and herb seeds, along with information on how to cultivate balcony gardens. They have struck up conversations with condo residents and let residents know about the agency, should they know anyone interested in moving into the area—or if any residents are ready to upsize to a single-family home in northern New Jersey.
Of course, as part of the CENTURY 21® system, our entire team has access to the real estate industry’s best sales tools to get our listings in front of more prospects, and help prospective buyers find the types of properties they want and that are worth a look. There is always someone on site in our two offices (Caldwell and Little Falls) to assist by phone or in person during business hours. And we offer flexible open house schedules—such as twilight open houses—that help draw more people at the times they are available to attend.
Whether you’re buying or selling . . . on the market for a residential or commercial property . . . CENTURY 21 Cedarcrest Realty is here to help in all ways possible!
Is a Winter Season Home Sale the Right Time for You?
Photo by Emil Vilsek on Unsplash
Even in northern New Jersey, which has a healthy real estate market, it’s hard to know whether or not seasons play in the home sale cycle. With the cold temperatures and inevitable snow and ice, many homeowners—and home buyers—may feel it’s better to wait until spring.
Not so fast!
There are actually strong reasons to put your home on the market now. The common belief is that the spring market—when birds are chirping and gardens are blooming—is the best time to buy and sell real estate but here are some good reasons to put your house on the market in the late fall or winter.
- You attract more serious buyers. Really—these people are on the hunt and want a house now. Motivated buyers, for whatever their reason, are always searching for the right home in the right town for them. The winter months also gives these buyers a chance to scope out potential neighborhoods when other things are going on besides landscaping and swimming pools. They may love or abhor lots of holiday lights, for example, and want to see what goes on around the block during December and January (or even February for Valentine’s Day and March for St. Patrick’s Day). Or they may have concerns about whether the neighbors are keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice (and whether the town snowplows are doing a good job).
- Wintertime staging possibilities. A well-staged home attracts buyers and offers, and winter greenery, cozy throws and blankets, and the aroma of pumpkin spice can be very alluring.
- Competition is lighter. It’s all about supply and demand. With less “for sale” signs around town, yours will catch attention and yield calls to the real estate agency to see the house. Fewer homes on the market drives up buyer demand, increases the probability of showings and with those, strong offers.
- Speedier transactions (and less stress). Think of the real estate market as a highway; with fewer “cars” in the buying lane, there are no processing traffic jams for all parties involved and transactions can move along more quickly. Mortgage lenders have fewer loans to process, real estate attorneys are dealing with a lighter closing load, and home inspectors are more available.
- Your real estate agent is always ready! Good real estate agents know that any time of year is a good time to list a home and bring buyers around. Marketing tactics may shift with the seasons and these professionals are ready with tips to help sell your home at any time of year.
If you’re thinking of putting your home up for sale now, or are looking for a home in Essex County or throughout northern New Jersey, the real estate agents at CENTURY 21 Cedarcrest Realty are ready to help. Contact us at (973) 228-1050 to get started.
