Tag: virtual tour

Real estate in the time of COVID-19: Part I

Posted on by Natalie Tracy

The most common question I get from clients of late – buyers and sellers alike – is “what’s it like to buy/sell a house right now?” The short answer is: not much different than buying/selling a house at any other time. The long answer: well, it is different in some key ways.

First and foremost, those of us conducting real estate right now want to keep people safe. We want to do the very best for our clients, as always. But that means doing our best to keep them safe while also getting them the house of their dreams and/or selling their house with an optimal outcome. To this end, the first big change to the home buying and selling process in the time of COVID-19 has been the huge shift to virtual options.

We’ve had the options of 3D virtual tours, video tours, virtual showings, and virtual open houses for a long time now. But when we could be face-to-face with most folks most of the time, virtual was more seen as a nice-to-have versus a must-have. During a pandemic, when we need to limit in-person contacts for everyone, virtual has taken center stage and become an absolute must.

All of my listings now have 3D virtual tours and video tours. I offer virtual showings to all of my buyers, and make them available on all of my listings. I am starting to offer virtual open houses on all of my listings. This takes what used to be a much less accessible and much more time consuming process for buyers and potential buyers, and makes it accessible to everyone and much less time consuming.

For instance, if buyers are interested in ten homes, but they can narrow that down to two homes by viewing 3D tours and/or having virtual showings – guess how much time they save, let alone how much less driving has to happen? It’s a win-win for people and the planet. And it allows me to more efficiently and effectively serve my clients, hooray! Additionally, those folks just beginning the process, who may not yet have an agent helping them, have full access to homes virtually. It helps them dream and plan, and it can also help them find THE one!

So a much bigger push to virtual is the first key change to buying and selling homes in the time of COVID-19. And with the need to rethink how we do business longer-term for the sake of our planet, this is a change I believe will stick around. Even when we can conduct business more readily in person again.

Stay tuned for more soon!

How to Buy a Home Virtually

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Brice and Crystal moved to DC for 2 years just so that they could up their salaries and finally afford to buy a house in Portland. Our first conversation took place over the phone as they were finishing packing and preparing for their flight home to Portland. They expressed how excited they were to finally get to tour homes in person after spending the last year scouring listings on the internet, and that there was on in particular that really caught their eye that they wanted to look at once they arrived in Portland. That’s when I had to tell them that everything they thought about how their first home buying experience was going to be would be completely different, because with COVID-19 and the brand new Stay at Home orders our working policies had shifted completely and we couldn’t tour homes like it was any old Saturday.

We did successfully win a multiple offer situation, negotiate repairs and close on an amazing home in Overlook that is a 5 minute bike ride from their best friends house, all without ever meeting in person (which to be honest did feel a little strange). We “walked through” the home using a 3-D tour and did a condensed version of a my unofficial Portland Homes 101 talk, and then talked for hours about the house before they eventually decided it was the one and they wanted to write. By then it had turned in to a multiple offer situation and we had to act quickly, and I spent hours talking to the sellers’ agent convincing her this was there house and the sellers just needed to say, “Yes.” There are times when the race is tight and you really have to hustle and sell yourself as an agent to get the deal done to the co-op agent, as well as sell your buyers as the ones destined to inherit the home. And in a time of uncertainty this was the winning component of their offer. So even though buying a home during a pandemic is a complete new experience for all involved, we are all able to evolve and still make the right move at the end of the day.

 

BUYING A HOME VIRTUALLY

Take a 3-D tour with your agent. There is a lot you can learn about the house on a 3-D walkthrough that does not show up on the photos. An experienced agent will be able to walk you through and help you decipher the house.

Talk it out over coffee (but on the phone). This doesn’t change much, you are still going to want to talk through all the pros and cons with your agent, only you get to do it from the comfort of your own home.

Electronic Signatures. Thank goodness for programs like Docusign.  We’ve been using them for years now, no wet signatures needed and everyone gets a copy of all the documents.

More talking. Most REALTORS® these days can build report and do multiple transactions together without ever meeting in person. We negotiate and navigate the transaction all through phone and email.

Solo inspections. All inspectors do their work solo, and either email the results or FaceTime with the buyer to review the findings. It doesn’t allow a buyer to take a second look at the property, but they still get to learn all the flaws of the home.

Notary signing. The lenders require a wet signature for loan docs so in this case a notary can come to you for signing.

Keys while social distancing. Your agent can toss you keys on the front lawn, or set them on the porch (perhaps with some Costco size sanitizing wipes, being the latest trend in house warming gifts). Basically there are options.

 

 

Congratulations Brice and Crystal!

Downsizing Texas to Portland

Posted on by Mel Marzahl

Everything is bigger in Texas, right?

Well that definitely includes beautiful big homes! Making the move from TX to PDX, Gary is downsizing his home and “up-sizing” his time with family.

This month, I had the pleasure of working with Gary from Texas and his kids. Together we found a beautiful home for him here in Gresham. Relocating from Houston, he was ready to make a move and the Portland area was an easy choice. In his sweet 50’s ranch with mature trees and landscaping, Gary will be close to friends and family. Zack, Sarah, and Jeremy, his son, daughter and her husband, all live less than 25 minutes from his new home. He also has ties to Tualatin, Lake Oswego, and more cities with friends and relatives throughout the PNW!

Buying a home sight unseen is a big deal.

Gary had his family here to be his “eyes on the ground” who knew what he’d like. I toured homes with them, and took lots of detailed video tours before we found this house. I knew it was the right one when I learned that the Gary had been referring to it as the house with the “happy tile”.

Gary was not in a hurry to buy and move. He was able to offer a 3 week rent-back to the seller so she could stay after closing. While we offered under-asking, this was a key term that helped us seal the deal. The seller of Gary’s new home was waiting for the owners of her new home to move as she had given them a rent-back period as well. With all of us making accomodations for the next person, we found terms and a price that worked. Even though he was out of state, we had a smooth and pleasant transaction. I took care of the details of the sale, logistics of a sewer line replacement, and attended all inspections with his kids. Then Gary, provided with detailed inspection reports, videos, and family input, made all the decisions. It worked great and he got a good deal on a great home.

I am so thrilled to hand over keys in a few weeks!

It will not only be the first time he sees his new home, but it will be the first time we meet in person! I know we’ll get along great though. Gary is a fellow foodie, and I’m looking forward to celebrating over dinner with the family at one of Portland’s amazing restaurants. Congrats Gary!

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I always love helping out of state buyers and sellers. It’s a joy knowing I can help provide some calm and extra insight to clients who are far away. It is also very gratifying to close a deal for an out of state client. I know how much trust they have placed in me to handle the in-person logistics for them and to work closely with their family or friends in the area if they have them. If you are out of state too, or have family or friends who need real estate help here in Portland, please reach out. I am always happy to just answer questions or help you get started on your move if you’re ready!