In a year when we’re learning to do so much remotely, home buying is no exception. From going to work to attending school, grocery shopping, and even seeing our doctors online, digital practices have changed the way we live.
This year, rather than delaying their home purchases, buyers – alongside their trusted real estate professionals – turned to the internet to do more than just a typical home search. In some cases, they bought homes without even stepping foot inside. In fact, one in every 20 homebuyers purchased a house sight-unseen during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
“People really didn’t buy houses sight-unseen, traditionally. It’s still not a huge number, but it has gone up, and we have definitely seen that trend accelerate.” says Jessica Lautz, Vice President of Demographics and Behavioral Insights at the NAR.
Today, digital practices help homebuyers and sellers walk through many steps in the process virtually. While following the regulations set forth by the CDC and all local guidelines, this year, agents quickly empowered buyers and sellers with virtual tours, floor plans, high-quality photos, videos, online open houses, and more.
And in true 2020 fashion, virtual practices helped buyers safely narrow down their top choices, so they didn’t have to unnecessarily walk into more homes than they needed to see throughout the process. At a time when health and safety are top priorities, current technology is making it possible for buyers and sellers to move their real estate plans forward at their own comfort levels, even through a worldwide pandemic.
For many, this means buyers no longer have to physically tour every home they want to see, and sellers don’t need to open their doors over and over again throughout the process. Safety can come first, and trusted real estate professionals are here to help.