Covid Creativity!

This photo made me think about how creative some real estate sales have become, even more so in this latest lockdown.

With the market as busy as it is, listing a house brings many, many buyers out for a look. Crazy numbers actually. It's always been our advice that sellers not be home for showings ~ mostly because you want the buyer to be able to picture themselves in the space, and be able to speak freely to their agent about their thoughts. And, well, during a Pandemic, it's a safety concern as well.

During a lockdown, where does a seller go? It's not like you can pop over to a friend's house, go out for dinner, or even hit the coffee shop. Many of my seller clients have booked a weekend getaway at a hotel or Air BnB, for some nice R & R, and a little break from the usual. That works really well!

But, there are situations where that just doesn't work, so, here's where we're getting even more creative. Showing availability can be shortened to just a day or two, even just a few hours. With some seriously targeted marketing, things can work out with just a few showings.

Twice in the last few weeks, I've sold property in a sort of "off market", quiet way.

In the first, I had been working with the buyer I thought was perfect for one of my upcoming listings. The seller was working from home during the day, her son was working nights and sleeping in the evenings. Having large numbers of viewings was just not going to be possible. But, the house needed to be sold. So, with just one takeout dinner in the car, and some Mother/Son bonding time, the buyers got a good look at the house, and made an offer that very night. A wonderful win/win all around!

In the second situation, there was a tenant living in the property, and it was one that would have had many showings once listed on MLS. I was able to make contact with a few agents I knew were working with some ready buyers for this type of home, and arranged just three showings, all in one day. Two of those buyers made offers, so, the seller was able to choose the best one, and, everyone was happy in the end.

In both cases, the arrangements met the sellers needs, AND gave the buyers an opportunity to purchase without the normally heavy competition.

The real moral of these stories is, make sure your Agent knows what you want & need. We all hear about these opportunities on occasion, and, we may even be able to create them for you. The goal is always to do our best for our clients in the most efficient way possible.
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And, right now, creativity is King!

The story I'd like to share this week is a little different. It's not my own, although, it did affect me in a big way.

I stumbled across this Ted Talk by a young man named Sam Berns, who has a simple, yet profound philosophy on how to have a happy life.

Rule #1 is to focus on what you CAN do, not on what you CAN'T do. Given Covid, I think we all need to hear that one again. And, personally, I've been struggling with a major decision for several months, and, this one line has completely resolved the issue for me. I feel so much lighter now!

He has 2 or 3 more rules, all so simple, yet, so perfect. I'll leave you to discover them.

But, I'll warn you, you may need a tissue for this....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=36m1o-tM05g

Sundays are traditionally a day of rest, at least, they were while I was growing up. I've tried my best to keep that tradition alive, and use the day to rest, relax, and reflect.

But, in the world of real estate sales, it's not always possible to have a work free day, and, today is one of those days.

A very popular sales strategy is to schedule offer presentations for several days after the property is listed. This often works well for both buyer, and seller. Buyers have the time to research their offers, and consider the best plan of attack. Sellers can be sure that we've allowed enough time for as many interested parties to tour the property as possible, and the final accepted offer will be the best one for them.

Today is "offer day" for one of my clients. While this is all well and good, there is definitely also an underlying nervous energy, even anxiety, for everyone along the way. Including myself.

There's always that nagging fear that things won't go as expected, right alongside the exciting possibility that things will end up better than you'd dare to hope!

No matter the market conditions, and no matter which place you're at in this scenario, we all feel it. And, it can be all consuming.

And, oddly, after 30+ years, this is the part of the job that is still most thrilling. The part that keeps me going.
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And, seriously, the only thing I will happily give up a serene Sunday to do! :)