As the saying goes – “If you can find your SPOUSE online – you can find your HOUSE online!
Well… Sort of.
But it isn’t as simple as browsing through the MLS online – or picking out your new home on Zillow, or Realtor.com, is it? Because any homebuyer will tell you stories about how they fell in love with a property online, only to be sorely disappointed in the real thing. Pictures can, indeed, paint a thousand words – it’s just… depending on how realistic those pictures are – they don’t always tell the whole truth. So you’re simply NOT going to make offers sight unseen on houses you find online – are you?
The Qualities and Services you need in your Virtual Realtor
Intuition – First and foremost – you need a Realtor who “gets you” – one who will truly listen to what you’re asking for – one who has a deep level of experience and knowledge of the marketplace – and one who can competently guide you to homes that are good options without wasting your time on homes that you’d never consider!
Well-Connected & Well-Respected – This is one of those times when Experience Matters. It’s a tough marketplace, with unusual curveballs thrown in, at a time like this – You’ll need a Realtor who can get things done – one who possesses the resourcefulness, tact and the soft-skills to handle unusual circumstances and tough negotiations with ease and grace – turning roadblocks into opportunities for you –
High Tech Virtual Tools – More, now than ever, you need a Realtor who can utilize and offer the latest tools to make your search (or listing) as accessible as possible.
Here’s a sampling of the tools I use to make your home shopping easier:
Virtual Tours and Walk Through Previews of the homes on the top of your “Must See” list. Using 360 VR Cameras, and Live Video Conferencing, we can bridge the gap between homes that “look great” on the internet – and screen out the homes, virtually, that you really aren’t interested in.
Interactive 360 Virtual Tours – A Second Look – Anytime you want!! Having a Flex360 virtual tour of the home that you have chosen allows you to remember the features – MEASURE spaces… fall in love, again and again with your new home during the negotiation and due diligence period. You can review your home inspection remotely – while looking at the actual home while your inspection report reveals conditions that you need to be aware of. In fact, I can attend your home inspection and create 360 virtual tour footage of the home inspector’s findings so that we can review and discuss them together remotely – via Zoom – without the need for you to be present at the home inspection.
In-Person Tours Still Offered – By narrowing down the number of wasted tours, we can focus, in person, on only the homes that you really want to see. This significantly reduces unnecessary risks and exposure during Covid-19 concerns. During a live tour, we will use 100% of the best practices available for social distancing. We will take our time and proceed with safety, every time. I will arrive at the home 15 minutes prior to our showing, and will: Turn on all lights, using sanitizer and gloves; unlock and open all doors, so that touching doors isn’t necessary. We will utilize booties on our shoes, wash hands, use sanitizer and disinfecting aerosols when needed. By the time you arrive, the home will be ready for us to safely tour. When we are finished, I will secure the home, re-sanitize anywhere we have touched, for the homeowner’s protection, gather and dispose of any gloves, masks, booties or paper towels we have used during our showing in a closed container.
During our In-Person Tour – I will have my 360 camera ready to take any additional images/shots that you really want to remember. This will be a fully custom, virtual experience for you, and a brand new level of home buying!
How Do I Qualify to become a Client?
This is a very special, and energy-intensive level of “Virtual Concierge” service – In addition to 30+ years of deep experience and expertise, my clients also receive these additional services. Naturally, therefore, I must limit my clientele to well-qualified, serious buyers.
The 3 Pre-requisites:
Fully Pre-Approved Buyers: I accept clients at all price points – entry-level homes, to luxury estates for this service, however, I do ask of all of my clients to demonstrate financial qualification through my preferred lender, including a review of documentation, bank statements and source of funds to close. (You are always welcome to shop lenders and use whichever lender you prefer for the actual purchase)
Buyer-Broker Agreement: I ask for an exclusive representation agreement as your Broker for a period of at least 6 months. I also offer a “No hassle, easy-exit agreement”. If at any time, our business relationship isn’t working out – for either of us, I simply ask that we discuss the issues before saying “good-bye”. Fair enough?
Serious, Motivated Buyers Only – at this level of service: If you are ready and committed to purchasing a home at the best price possible, with reasonable expectations that match the current market conditions, and will agree to remain as committed and interested in moving forward as I am in helping you do so – we have a great fit! (Ps. If you’re just bored – let’s stay home – neither of us needs the exposure!)
Call, or email me today if you’d like more information about becoming a Preferred Virtual Concierge Client
Currently Serving St Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes for Virtual Concierge Clients
Jeri Creson, Broker Owner-Refresh Southcoast Realty
985-869-0332
jericreson@yahoo.com