John Carle was approached by a client who needed to sell their home in St. Albert for a move to a new city. They had a job offer and were starting in 3 months. So we needed to prepare the house, list it, sell it, and connect them with an agent in the new city to help them find a new home.
THE CHALLENGE
This particular client suffers from severe anxiety; they avoid human contact and don’t socialize in person. It had been a very long time since someone had even set foot inside of the home. This presented a unique challenge because the home needed some repairs before going on the market, and they weren’t comfortable with having in-person showings either!
THE SOLUTION WE CAME UP WITH
We decided to reverse the process. By working with a mortgage broker we knew well, we were able to secure them financing on the new home without selling the current property. They were able to go to the new city to find a home, and thanks to the agent we know in that community they felt comfortable working with her. She was able to preview their shortlist of homes, doing virtual showings, so they only had to walk into 2 houses in-person before making a decision.
While they were house hunting, my handyman was scheduled to do the repair work so they wouldn’t encounter him or be in the house with him. By the time they got back, the work was done and the house was ready for the market.
We also had a home inspector do an inspection while they were gone, which we made available to potential buyers through the MLS and our website. We included details on the work done to the property.
For marketing the home, we focused on 3D Tours & Virtual Showings to reduce the number of in-person showings. These virtual showings started a week before the in-person showings.
THE RESULTS
Our efforts resulted in 6 showings over the first weekend. They went camping for the weekend, leaving us with the house for showings, thereby reducing their anxiety. Upon their return we had 3 offers to present (over Zoom of course) and were successful in securing a strong offer with no condition of home inspection; 1 less entry into the house!
The sale went smoothly thereafter. The transaction completed, we found them a lawyer to sign paperwork virtually, and they are now living in their new city and happy with their decision to move.
