How to Successfully Buy or Sell a Home During the COVID-19 Outbreak

The COVID-19 outbreak is causing all industries to rethink how they do business, and the home buying/selling industry is no exception.  The message to consumers is confusing. On the one hand, mortgage rates are at historic lows, making this an ideal time to lock in a mortgage for a new home purchase.  Lower mortgage rates encourage more buyers to enter the market and more sellers to list their homes.

But these are not normal times.  Yes, mortgage rates are lower, but during what should be a robust time for home sales, we are all being encouraged to limit contact with others and stay at home as much as possible.  As real estate advisors, we must quickly adapt to this “new normal” to help our clients successfully buy or sell a home, as well as complete the home-buying process if they are in the midst of this important decision.

Thankfully, we have the technology to make this work.  At Engel & Völkers Buckhead Atlanta and Engel & Völkers Atlanta North Fulton, we are working with our clients to make full use of video call platforms to “meet” with our clients and to virtually tour homes together.  For sellers, we are working with them to create compelling, informative video home tours that can easily be accessed online by a potential buyer. For buyers, we can review online home videos in conference with them to discuss pros and cons of each home’s benefits.  To limit person-to-person contact, our advisors can visit homes alone, walking through them on behalf of our clients, showcasing the home’s features electronically in real time and answering questions.

We value the personal service we offer each and every client.  This is still an excellent time to buy or sell a home, and with a little imagination, we can successfully help our clients achieve their goals.

This article was written by Kelly Stephens, Vice President and Managing Broker Engel & Völkers Buckhead Atlanta and Engel & Völkers Atlanta North Fulton.