Spring is usually a time when many people think of listing their homes, but this spring is anything but usual! Have you been thinking of selling your home and wondering if it’s still a good time, given the current situation with COVID-19? From an inventory perspective, this could be an excellent time to list. The number of listings in the greater Saint John area as of December 31, 2019, was at a 16-year low. In the past few months, that number has dropped even lower. For sellers, this may be a silver lining. The real-estate market continues to function, and people still need places to live and are looking for homes.
We continue to buy and sell homes for our clients; that said, our top priority is safety, so we are extremely mindful of following all safety directives from New Brunswick’s public-health authorities. What does this mean? Well, we’re using technology to the fullest to limit in-person contact. Much of this technology we have already been using for years…for example, sending and accepting offers via email for electronic signatures. Also, we’re now using 3D tours to make it easier for potential buyers to get a feel for our listings before they go to the next step of requesting an in-person showing. If potential buyers want to see a home in person, all parties — the homeowners, potential buyers and REALTORS® — must fill out a questionnaire regarding potential exposure to COVID-19. Of course, when an in-person showing takes place, there are protocols for glove wearing, limiting contact with surfaces, etc.
Maybe this seems daunting, but if you’re interested in listing your home, take a deep breath and relax — it’s very doable, and we would be happy to guide you through the process. Reach out to us by phone, email, text or through social media to chat with us about how we would go about listing your home and achieving a positive outcome!
* According to the Saint John Real Estate Board
By: Don and Mary Ann Ketchum