The Canadian Real Estate Market
We’re all living through an unprecedented time and lots of people are wonder how this is effecting the Canadian Real Estate Market. And in this time of social distancing, it can be hard to see how the real estate market will fare. However, there are still sellers that need to sell and buyers that need to buy.
And there are some excellent solutions out there to help ensure the process isn’t interrupted. With the help technology we can continue to see the Canadian real estate market transactions continue.
There’s Great News For Buyers
There is a silver lining to COVID-19 in regards to the real estate market. That if it’s financially possible, this could be the perfect time to buy a house. Since the interest rates are at their lowest that we’ve seen in years. This lower interest rate is in response to COVID-19 by The Bank of Canada. They cut interest rates for Canadian’s by a full percentage point in March.
As a result of this lower percentage, home buyers that are looking to obtain a mortgage can now expect to be able to borrow at a lower rate. And with this fixed term mortgage rates also on the decline, home buyers now have the flexibility to borrow/move. They can also aim for a higher price or get a better mortgage rate with less expensive mortgage payments.
Technology and Real Estate
There have been some major leaps in technology which has ignited a shift in the real estate market. It’s now so easy to learn more about a home, condo, townhouse and any other kind of listing. Simply by going online and in many cases getting to have an entire walk through while still in the comfort of your own home.
These virtual tours allow the buyer to see the home and really get a feel for it. And during this time of social distancing, we need this type of technology more than ever. There could be a market increase in both recreational and serious buyers on this online marketplace. That’s why agents should make sure that their listings are well detialed.
360 Virtual Tours
Now is a good time to find a photographer that specializes in 360 tours and use them for your listings. More and more agents had been are starting to do this already. These tours create a captivating experience for your potential buyer.
You want to make sure that your tours are navigable, interactive and controller friendly. The ultimate goal here is that the virtual tour will replicate the experience of having an open house or a walk through. During this time, this is a highly recommended tool. And even after this period in time, it’s an excellent piece of technology to have in your tool box.
It’s Time To Go Paperless
Going paperless is never a bad idea, it helps the environment. And during this time of COVID-19 there really isn’t any other choice. There are numerous apps that you can use to make this process as easy as possible.
These apps allow signatories to sign a PDF or word document, using your phone or tablet. Many real estate agents have already been using these apps and they work wonderfully. You can ensure your clients that they can continue to work with you and safely social distance.
Face-to-Face Is Now Screen-to-Screen
We’re all practicing social distancing so having a face-to-face meeting just isn’t possibly anymore. So using the power of technology we can bring meetings to the comfort of our own homes. And there are lots of apps that are user friendly that you can use. Some of those apps are FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom and there are many more.
These screen-to-screen meetings can be much more effective than phone calls. And these types of calls can even be used to show the home to the potential buyer as well. You’re able to walk them through it and show them more than what the listing has and offer a more detailed look inside the home.
Contact Lori VanDinther
The pandemic we are currently living through is unprecedented and it’s important that we’re all taking precautions. I want to make sure that my clients are comfortable, safe and that we are meeting their needs.
If you have any questions regarding the real estate market or how we are working to meet the needs of our sellers and buyers, or if you’re interested in selling, please contact me today. I know that we will come through this time stronger and by supporting each other, we’re keeping ourselves safe and our communities as well.