Selling Your Home During the Pandemic November 2020 Edition
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Cozy and Clean interior, a great example of a home that is inviting for a buyer
Selling your home during the pandemic may seem like a daunting task, but I have 5 simple steps that can make it easier. The easiest thing to do, which I’m not even putting on the list, is to call me and I will walk you through the whole process, from deciding to move to finding your next home! Ok, back to why you are reading this post. You are thinking of moving, and you are going to sell your house. You want a home that fits your needs now, and for the future.
The housing market in the Portland Metro Area continues to be incredibly under-supplied, which means that the average sales price is up over $500,000 in Portland, and there 1.1 months of inventory. This makes for a fully fledged, wild and crazy, seller’s market! House sellers’ hold the cards in transaction, but only when they go on the market fully prepped and with a plan.
Clean and Cozy- Winter listings in the the Pacific Northwest need to create a welcoming home for buyers driving up in the evening or rain. Extra exterior and interior lights, a bench and rugs by the door for taking off boots/putting on booties, extra towels to wipe the floor, and a warm (temperature) house are all part of selling in the winter. Now let’s add in pandemic safety measures! Booties, extra masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and bleach wipes by the doors, turn on all the lights and crack open all interior doors, and stage with clean surfaces.
Ready for Repairs- If your house is perfect, you get it inspected every few years, and you do all of the needed repairs with the most expensive contractor, then skip ahead. Ok, we don’t do any of those things, right? So, now is the time to have a pre-listing inspection if you aren’t handy. Make any minor repairs you know about, but have been putting off. Plan for a closing costs credit or to do major work as a part of the sale. Every house has things that need to be repaired, and many buyers right now are overlooking issues that would terminate a sale during a more balanced market. But, be prepared for some things to come up, and be flexible with repairs in order to get to the end goal: you are moving to a new house that fits your needs, and you want to be there sooner rather than later.
Flexibility for Moving- Buyers are really having a tough time getting into houses right now, and if you are selling but staying in the same area, you are about to be on the other side of this seller’s market. You may need to wait for the house you are buying to be ready for you to move in, usually just a week or so, but maybe up to two months. Other issues with the closing and moving dates are out of our control, like the length of time it takes to close the loan on the house you are selling. Lending institutions and escrow offices are seeing more business than they ever have, loans are taking longer to process, small errors are causing closings to be delayed a day or two, and lots of other things can come up. Be ready to be flexible, and gracious. We are all trying the best we can!
New House Ready- You are selling because this house doesn’t fit your needs. The new house fits those needs, and you are ready to move. That doesn’t mean the old house is a bad house, or you hate it, or shouldn’t have bought it. Say goodbye and thank you to the old house. You can make a photo book, draw pictures, talk about favorite memories, think about what made you love the house in the first place, and spend time appreciating all the ways that this house has supported and held you and your family. Say goodbye with a ceremony to make the house open and ready for the new residents.
Goldilocks Pricing- Not too high, not too low! Do I need to say more?
For a plan created just for you and your home send me an email through the button below! I am always happy to talk about your real estate plans, goals, and dreams. Need more fun? What I wrote about selling during the pandemic back in May 2020!