With much of the country mostly staying home, it's not your typical spring homebuying season.
You might think social distancing has made it difficult to meet with lenders, view properties and sign paperwork, but fortunately that's not the case.
In fact, prospective buyers and sellers continue to move forward with their housing needs and doing so with safety in mind.
While the process may look a little different, modern technology is making it possible and, in some ways, more convenient.
So how does it work?
- Virtual Open Houses and Showings: Facebook Live, FaceTime and Zoom are all being used to show properties. And many listings include a prerecorded tour of the home.
- 3D Floor Plans and Interactive Walk-Throughs: Online tools make it easy to create interactive 3D walk-throughs and even allow for decor and furniture placement to give buyers a more lifelike feel of the space.
- Electronic Signatures and Deed Filings: E-signing technology means there’s no need to meet in person to sign offers, contracts or any other paperwork needed in the process.
- Desktop and Drive-By Appraisals: If sellers are hesitant to have an appraiser visit their property in person, desktop and drive-by appraisals are a good alternative. These use city data, prior appraisals and comparable sales information to assess a home’s value. Homeowners can video chat with the appraiser to show them the interior and exterior elements of the property.
The way we buy and sell homes may have changed for now, but it’s still an active and essential market. If you have any questions about making a move, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.