Realtors aim to ensure peace of mind
Real estate back in business, but new challenges to make clients feel comfortable
Kate Hayman said minimizing as much in-person contact as possible is the new normal in the real estate industry, but admitted “in my experience, people want to go see houses.”
The Birmingham-based realtor is one of many in the real estate industry trying their best to navigate the turbulent COVID-19 waters. On May 7, the industry was one of two allowed to resume in-person operations under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s latest executive order, which also reopened the manufacturing industry.
Hayman said client conversations and home showings were conducted virtually in March and April, but added she’s now seeing an influx of in-person home showings and listing appointments due to the reengagement of the industry.
“There is a lot of pent up buyer demand, but inventory is still very low because so many sellers are not sure if this is going to be the right time to sell,” she said. “If you don’t need to move, you may be on the fence right now about whether this is the best year to do it. There are also always people that need to move.”
This week, it was business as usual for Hayman, who showed four homes to three different clients inperson on Wednesday. She said following new protocols and safety measures is not challenging because “we all want to do our part.” In fact, she’s providing gift bags filled with personal protective equipment including booties, gloves, and masks to every client before entering homes.
“I want to make sure my clients that are brought into a property, whether occupied or vacant, are following all safety protocols,” she said. “So far, not one person has told me they didn’t want to (wear the safety equipment)...I’ve found that people are absolutely wiling to comply for everyone’s safety. So far, I haven’t had one client that didn’t want to go see a house.”
Under executive order 2020-77, the real estate industry was allowed to resume in-person operations under certain conditions. Those conditions include:
• Individuals may leave their home or place of residence to view a real-estate listing by appointment
• Any showings, inspections, appraisals, photography or videography, or final walk-throughs must be performed by appointment and must be limited to no more than four people on the property at one time.
• No in-person open houses are permitted
• Private showings may only be arranged for owner-occupied homes, vacant homes, vacant land, commercial property, and industrial property. Landlords and property managers may not arrange in-person showings of a rental unit until after the current tenant has vacated the property
• All people must maintain a 6-foot social distance at all times
James Cristbrook, president of Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors, said the housing market is beginning to improve due to a robust re-entry of real estate activities “beyond what we were expecting.”
“There seems to have been a lot of pent-up demand that is resulting in multiple offer situations as well as many sellers willing to place their homes on the market,” he said. “The key to our success will be the continued support of and respect for the guidelines and restrictions put into place by Gov. Whitmer and Michigan Realtors®.”
The housing market was impacted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic in April, which included sharp decreases in closed sales, pending sales, number of homes for sale, and new listings.
According to Realcomp, here are the April residential housing market numbers for the 18-county region:
• Closed sales: 45.6% decrease compared to 2019 (7,519 to 4,060)
• Pending sales: 72.3 percent% decrease compared 2019 (8,747 to 2,423)
• Number of homes for sale: 18.2% decrease compared to 2019 (20,073 to 16,413)
• New listings: 72.9% decrease compared to 2019 (12,712 to 3,440)
• Months of supply: 14.8% decrease compared to 2019 (2.7 to 2.4)
• Median sales price: 11.7% increase compared to 2019 ($171,000 to $191,000)
Oakland County
• Total sales: 44.8% decrease compared to 2019
• Median sales price: 2.4% increase compared to 2019
• Number of homes for sale: 25.4% decrease compared to 2019
• New listings: 73.2% decrease compared to 2019
• Pending sales: 71.7% decrease compared to 2019
Wayne County
• Total sales: 50.1% decrease compared to 2019
• Median sales price: 26% increase compared to 2019
• Number of homes for sale: 16.1% decrease compared to 2019
Macomb County
• Total sales: 50.1% decrease compared to 2019
• Median sales price: 14.5% increase compared to 2019
• Number of homes for sale: 18.7% decrease compared to 2019
On May 7, the Michigan Realtors Association released a 10-page reopening toolkit to serve as a guidebook during the reopening process. The toolkit includes a COVID-19 FAQ, safety measures to consider, and requirements of the governor’s executive order. Other COVID-19-related resources have also been provided by the association.