Diablo Gazette December 2020
Happy Holidays, Happy Real Estate Days ahead.
2020, oh what a year! If you are like most of us, you don’t’ need a recap, you’ve lived it with the rest of us. When I think of things to be grateful for real estate is on the list. IF you owned or sold real estate in 2020, there was a little stumble, overall 2020 was a hot market. The unexpected “work from home” and “home school” requirements changed how we live in our homes. Whether it’s more space, the right space, or extra spaces for things like working out, the wants and needs of a home are clearer and more apparent than ever to the buyer.
In real estate much has changed while much remains the same. Folks still want to touch and feel what they purchase. While there have been no open houses, the 5-20 folks that might have been serious from an open house of 100-+ attendees, are still the 5-20 making appointments and offers. The epiphany for many sellers is that they do NOT have to have 200 folks walk through their homes (with all that brings) and their home will sell. Sellers can require only preapproved buyers make appointments to view their homes. This is quite efficient as ready and able to purchase buyers are looking at their home, rather than the entire neighborhood, or “someday” buyers. Sellers embrace the “appointment only, one group at a time” with sanitizing and feel less in jeopardy health wise and less wear and tear on their home.
Still, the move in ready home garners an optimum sale price. BUT the fixer, is a good way to get into a neighborhood. Staging is more often a whole house staging. And, when the price is right, many sellers make arrangements and move.
What is there to look forward to? In California, the Bay Area, we are likely to go into 2021 in a similar market with a shortage of homes for sale, but perhaps more room for the move up buyer to sell their home first, and the less than perfect homes coming on the market. The hot homes are still the move in ready. SO our focus in future articles in 2021 will be staging tips that you can do prior to a Realtor consult, that put you ahead of the game. We will also give more market statistics so you can “time” your move for optimum equity. The ever changing real estate landscape highlights will also be a focus. SO have a GREAT Holiday, and remember it’s never too soon to start to plan when real estate is in the picture, buying or selling.
