In a highly shifting market, I’ve been truly fortunate having the opportunity to sell my clients homes this year. It’s been a scramble in Real Estate, at times requiring a bit of sleuthing to get up to bat. What makes this season unlike any other? We’ve moved into a completely high-tech arena, replacing the personal human interaction of the past — hopefully to return at some point. Our entire process for making decisions relies upon putting together deals without the face-to-face communication and interactions we’ve previously enjoyed with our clients.
Within this past year, we’ve witnessed so much inventory sell for over-asking price, and at record breaking speeds! You may have asked yourself, “Did I miss an opportunity to sell my home, downsize, or upsize?” My answer is, “Yes” and “No.” If you need a home, then there’s a pay-to-play that has certainly shifted the paradigm. Tire kicking is not an option unless you’re planning on kicking many tires to educate yourself through up-front homework, and then jumping upon the next opportunity. Be neither fooled nor weary; you’re not alone, for just like all the other new protocols — from our children’s home-schooling to grocery shopping—we’ve all learned new behavior.
We’re more trusting and less trusting all at the same time, and that makes for a reprieve from the status quo we once knew. You can shed your over-committed life to take on more commitments in other areas, thanks in part to the ZOOM boom!
For example, I have many friends who have replaced in-person commitments with technology for weddings, bridge games, birthday parties, family gatherings, doctors’ appointments and now purchasing real estate. When you strip away the time it takes to travel somewhere to be together, in many ways you’re ahead of the game.Friends and family have learned overnight how to stay together while apart and have had to learn how to maneuver technology to survive. This year’s electronic wave has been taken in stride by some.
However, there is a void typified by a two-dimensional transaction built on electronic images, and virtual walk-throughs. I’ll never abandon my personal touch with new and previous clients, and fully understand these shifts in behavior.
That’s a wrap! Happy Holidays!
Please stay safe.
Bainbridge Island real estate in the past 30 days
4 Active Residential Listings — high $1,489,000— median $1,085,000— low $795,000 — average days on market: 9
22 Pending Residential Listings — high $7,996,000— median $811,500 — low $418,000 — average days on market: 49
46 Sold Residential Listings — high $3,100,000 — median $841,500 — low $265,000 — average days on market: 31
4 Active Vacant Land Listings — high $1,075,000 — median $487,500 — low $248,000 — average days on market: 81
1 Pending Vacant Land — high $599,000 — median $599,000 — low $599,000 average days on market: 13
3 Pending Feasibility Vacant Land Listings — high $829,000 — median $250,000 — low $175,000 — average days on market: 185
4 Sold Vacant Land Listings — high $900,000 — median $489,000 — low $173,888— average days on market: 109