Though 2020 finally came to an end (thank GOD!!!), the inventory situation hasn’t changed much. The buyers are still coming, and the sellers aren’t moving.
Last March and April, we had no idea what was going to happen. It took a few months, but eventually more homes came on the market later in spring and the listings kept coming all the way through October. Then the usual holiday slowdown happened. For sellers, anyway. The buyers? They were still hungry–and many still are.
Now that January wound to a close and February has kicked off, we will start to see more homes come on the market. But will it be enough? The number of homes available for sale in Poulsbo, Silverdale, and the Kingston area has never been this low. (At least, not within the last 15 years of data kept by the MLS). The result? Multiple offers, bidding wars, and plenty of ’em.
To the Downsizers & Relocators
Of course, there is a time in just about everyone’s life when it’s time to make a move to something smaller and more manageable. Maybe a nice little condo or apartment, closer to family. Personally, several members of my family have made that move within the last year. Not even due to COVID; it’s just that now is the right time.
If now is the time for YOU, or someone in your family, let’s talk. That Big Move may seem completely overwhelming, but it is manageable with the right team. People who know how to help organize, declutter, get rid of stuff, and manage the process with compassion.
It may take months, and that’s OK! Step 1 is reaching out, getting a realistic idea of what your property is worth, and what may or may not be wise to upgrade or repair before listing. Step 2 is sorting out the plan for when the home is on the market. Will the seller still be living there and if so, how will tours be handled in the safest way possible? Fortunately, we have best practices in place to help keep sellers AND buyers safe in the Age of COVID.
Buyers, Beware–And Have a Plan
OK, so that sounds scarier than it needs to. But those of you who are looking at buying a home in Kitsap County (Yard space! Room to spread out! Home office!), you do need to come prepared. If you’re making a move to Naval Base Kitsap, it’s likely you’re coming from an area of the country or elsewhere in the world where the market conditions are very different. Again, this is a time when having the right team on your side is absolutely essential.
- Pick your lender. If you plan to use a VA loan, make sure you’re talking with a lender who specializes in VA loans. Remember to also talk with 2-3 other lenders, as programs do vary. (Need referrals? I’m happy to send you a list of my favorite lenders to work with because they are great at what they do!)
- Pick your agent. Notice this is step 2! Get that pre-approval letter in hand before you start looking at homes. Then, you’ll be able to shop with confidence. Talk to a few agents who work in the area you’re considering. Choose someone you like and more importantly, trust.
How We Work in the Age of COVID
In these strange times, here’s how we are working with home buyers and home sellers to stay safe:
- Communication: OK, this part hasn’t changed much at all. We still use all the tech tools at our disposal to communicate with our buyers and sellers, from email to text and the ol’ phone call. Just tell us how you like to stay in touch!
- Meetings: Some things just need to be communicated in person. (Or maybe we just need to see each other face-to-face sometimes). Plus, we like to help support our local North Kitsap businesses when we can. At this time, meetings are chilly and often wet, but we like to meet where there are at least heat lamps and umbrellas. A few of our favorite meeting spots right now are: State 42 Wines, Bainbridge Brewing Taproom, and the Loft in Poulsbo.
- Previewing: Let’s get to know each other a bit! Once we have a good idea of what you’re looking for, we’ll get out there and preview the homes you’re most interested in. This saves you the time and hassle of getting out there to tour homes when you’re already dealing with #WFH, home school, and trying to generally maintain sanity. We’ll let you know if this is a place that you should see in person, or skip. (I always say, “Zillow can’t smell cat pee!” Or smoke, or mold.) Pictures tell a story, and sometimes those pretty pics online are leaving out some details that can only be discovered in person.
- Touring homes: For those special properties you just have to see in real life, we come prepared–with wipes, sanitizer, and masks. I’m happy to flip on the lights and open all the doors so you don’t have to touch a thing.
- Keeping sellers safe: For our home sellers, we’ll work with you to manage ALL showings by appointment only in time blocks that work for your schedule. Though anytime you’re selling a home, there are bound to be times that aren’t great, we do our absolute best to minimize impact to you while still getting your home seen by as many buyers as possible. We also provide wipes, masks, and sanitizer in case those buyers forget to bring their own. Of course, open houses are not currently allowed in Kitsap County. When they are allowed again, we will have supplies and processes in place to help keep our sellers safe.
Stay Safe!
Mask up, stay healthy, and reach out with your questions. We are happy to help!