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• After a strong start to 2020, conditions have dramatically changed due to COVID-19
• Market has slowed down with very few people looking at or buying homes right now.  We are expecting that when pandemic is behind us then pent-up demand will lead to an significant increase in number of showing requests
• Many homes have been removed from MLS as sellers are not comfortable having people walk through their homes right now.  We are expecting that when pandemic is behind us there will be a surge of new listings hit the market.
• Prices in Calgary and Okotoks were already forecasted to ease by 0.5-1% this year due to oversupply in our market.  Price declines will likely be higher than originally expected due to the combined impact of the pandemic and energy sector crisis.

• Meeting buyer and seller clients via virtual platforms such as Zoom, FaceTime or Skype
• Meeting with builders via virtual platforms and comparing plans, pricing and promotions
• Doing market research and studying how pandemic may impact buyers and sellers down the road
• Preparing homes for immediate listing once pandemic is behind us
• Helping buyers with market stats and pre-approval contacts/processes so they are prepared once pandemic is behind us

• Buying a home – for those of you who were hoping to buy later this spring or summer, it is a great time now to get prequalified for a mortgage, establish a rate hold, and start your research into what the market will offer in your price range.
  • Once pre-approved, your mortgage rate typically can be held for 120 days (depending on lender).  You can meet with mortgage brokers from the comfort of your own home via Zoom.  If you need help finding a mortgage broker just shoot me a note.
  • Researching the market is the perfect thing to do right now.  I will help you with this, send you statistics on what your neighbourhood of interest is doing, and what options you might have in your price range.
  • There is limited product on the market right now because many have terminated their listings.  We do however expect new listings and new buyers hitting the market as soon as pandemic is behind us.  So get qualified now, do your research now, and be ready for when the market opens up again.
• Building a home – for those of you who were hoping to build a home, this is a great time to do research.  Many builders are offering incentives right now to lure potential clients through their virtual doors.
  • I have been hosting three-way client/builder/realtor meetings via Zoom.
  • Virtual meetings allow us to compare plans and pricing, and to compare price points of various builders.   These are detailed meetings pouring through all the details of construction drawings, plot plans, pricing, finishing, etc.  Yes, all doable from the comfort of your own home.
  • And yes, I will negotiate and get you the best price possible with any of the builders
• Selling a home – for those of you who were hoping to sell, it is a tricky time.  My honest advice is to prepare now and list later.  But this doesn’t mean do nothing now, indeed it means the opposite.  Preparing a home for sale usually takes a few weeks, and I am working with clients right now (virtually) helping them prepare their homes for listing after this pandemic is behind us.   Right now is a great time to –
  • Establish best likely timing to hit market
  • Establish likely price point
  • Figure out what needs to be fixed now in order to be able to list later
  • Make a list of things that need to be removed before listing
  • Make a list of staging items I’ll need bring in to ‘fine-tune’ the home’s presentation a few days before we list

I love to reflect on past homes and my past clients.  This one was a super fun one with absolutely amazing selling clients.  Sellers originally approached me in February asking me for advice on how to best sell their home.  It had been listed by another agent for many months last year, and they needed a fresh approach.  We made a plan which took about 7 days to execute … and we received an offer within one week of hitting the market.  So what did we do?

• Had main floor freshly painted light colour throughout (about 5 days)
• Found a second-hand couch that fit space better
• Brought in about three car-loads of staging items and had entire home staged (complimentary, about 1 day)
• Had a professional photo shoot and virtual 3D tour done of home (complimentary, about 1 day)
• Launched targeted online social media ads once MLS was activated (included with every listing)
• Had 5 realtor showings, 1 open house with about a dozen people through and 1 offer within first week on MLS

See photo showing living room before/after painting & staging.  For more before/after examples CLICK HERE.

NEW YEAR … NEW APP!

 
Have you ever walked or driven by a house with a for sale sign in front of it and wondered what it was listed for?  Well we now have an App that you can download on your phone and it will tell you just this information.  You can simply click on it, and the app will show you where you are and what houses are right by you that are on MLS with all the details you will need.  Literally these listings will be at your fingertips!

Click below to download.

NEW YEAR … NEW FORMAT

As most of you know I have hosted a dozen or so workshops in the last two years on various topics in real estate.  The topics included renovations, new home vs resale home, rental homes, first homes, staging homes, luxury homes, etc.  This year I will be moving towards online webinars, as I feel this will better suit all involved and I will be able to cater to people’s schedules.  First topic is on rental homes … just give me a shout if you are interested.  As always, these are no-obligation information sessions in a fun and easy format.  And this time around you will be able to do them from the comfort of your own home!  403-383-5706 or wilton-clark@shaw.ca