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According to the National Association of Realtors, year-to-year increases in home sales have remained steady in spite of apparent dips in March 2020 due to COVID-19. This one fact goes to show that the proverbial show must go on when it comes to people buying a home. If you were on a home search before the coronavirus was declared a pandemic, or even if you started searching after, there is no reason to stop your search efforts. Yes, social distancing still remains an important aspect of preventing the spread of the virus. However, as a homebuyer, shopping and staying socially distant are perfectly doable. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind.
Your real estate agent or realtor is your go-to person throughout the buying process. The average buyer will have multiple meetings with this professional as they get together to lay out details of wants and look at potential properties. Even though socially distancing yourself from your realtor may mean a lack of in-person meetings, it doesn't mean you should ever lose touch. Whether it is keeping in touch via phone or video conferencing, these interactions are vital to you having the most opportunities as a buyer.
House shows don't have to mean taking a chance and going to a place where there are other people in close proximity. Thanks to modern technology, a home showing is something that can be accomplished entirely remotely. Many real estate companies and sellers are now holding on-demand house showings that include live chat functions. This means you can reach out about a property you are interested in seeing, get a live virtual tour and ask any questions you have in the process. Of course, if you decide at that point that the home is a serious prospect, it is best to arrange for an in-person showing while keeping the general social distancing rules in mind.
While shopping for a home, you will likely also be shopping for a mortgage, which would normally mean paying a visit to multiple lenders in your area to see what offers you get. Thankfully, the majority of modern lenders take advantage of online platforms on which the bulk of the application process can be handled online. If you have a lender in mind that doesn't offer an online platform for applying for a mortgage, reach out to them to see if they can do something over the phone or via email.
You Can Find a Home in Spite of COVID-19
Yes, COVID-19 has changed the way we interact but you can still search for and find a home you'll love—the steps may just look a bit different than usual. Talk to your real estate agent for more local guidance and tips as you navigate through your homebuying journey.
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I've had the honor of selling Real Estate in Central California since 1996, I am Owner and Broker of Country Properties & Estates in Aromas, and have sold properties in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Santa Clara County.
