Same Goals – Different Strategy

With the rapid changes, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,  occurring in the world and in real estate, we are re-evaluating our sales expectations.

We are not giving up on your goals or ours, but, we need to change our strategies.

For the foreseeable future, we will modify the way we do business.

Not all real estate agents will do business the same way, but this is the approach St. Louis Homes by Mike Hofmeister is taking.

We are following the guidelines as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html)

With the COVID-19 virus declared a global pandemic, it is affecting everyone.

As a small, family-friendly business, our goal has always been to assist our clients to achieve their goals. Our work has always been driven by our core values, based on responsibility, effort, integrity and innovative spirit, which have allowed us to adapt to changes and overcome adversity.

Today is no exception.

We understand the next several weeks, or months will be difficult times in the Real Estate industry. After all we are a people business and developing trusting relationships is the foundation of our business.

With low interest rates, many people would like to purchase a new home. And to do so, many will need to sell their existing home.

I totally understand the concerns people have about meeting face-to-face, having inspectors, appraisers, and guests in and out of your home, especially if you are working from home, or have children in your home. I have these same concerns.

We are working on procedures to get us through this. 

If we participate in listing a home, we will attempt to handle pre-listing tasks virtually. If we must meet we will take prescribed precautions. We will wear disposable masks and gloves, we won’t touch any surfaces unless necessary, and if so, we will sanitize afterward.

If we are having the house photographed, we will require the photographer to prescribed precautions as mentioned above. As per our “showing” model, we ask that the homeowners not be present during this time which is usually no more than 30-60 minutes.

Inspectors and appraisers (pre-listing and post-contract) will have to enter the home, so we will take the prescribed precautions as mentioned above. We ask that no one be home during these inspections and a building inspection can last up to 2-3 hours. 

In order to market a home, these new procedures may include showing homes via electronic media. 

We will not hold a public open house during this period. If we have a private showing, we will use the same procedure as discussed above. In addition, if another agent is showing the house, we will insist the agent showing has a buyer’s agency agreement and either a lender’s pre-qualification letter or a proof-of-funds letter from the buyer’s financial institution. We will ask for copies of the agent’s and their client’s drivers’ licenses.

We will limit showings to potential buyers who are qualified as well as serious.

If you are a potential buyer and wish to “tour” a house, we will follow a similar protocol. We must have a signed buyer’s agency agreement and your lender’s pre-qualification letter, or proof-of-funds letter from your financial institution. We will require a copy of your drivers’ license.

However, we will attempt to narrow down our choices before we actually tour any houses. 

I will provide the necessary information for you to “pre-qualify the house” before actually seeing it. This may include: school district information; taxes and civic services; neighborhood features and amenities,; travel distances to school, work, etc. 

I will work with you to review available photos and videos to pre-screen potential properties to tour. I will suggest you do a driving tour of the neighborhood to see if the community is somewhere you would want to call home. 

Our top priority has always been achieving the goals of our clients, and that will continue through this current situation.

Please follow allow with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StLouisNewHomes/ or at https://www.stlouishomesbymikehofmeister.com/

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Please take the necessary precautions and be safe.