Selling Real Estate During COVID-19

Wow is all I can say about March 2020. I'm sure everyone can relate. The month started out as another great month and it appeared 2020 was going to be another fabulous year for our real estate business. In hind site, I guess what people say is true, we are never guaranteed tomorrow... it sure feels like that these days.

Lets back track a little bit...On March 19, Governor Newsom and the State Public Health Officer issued Executive Order N-33-20 requiring all Californians to stay home except as needed to maintain continuity of operations in 16 infrastructure sectors. The real estate industry was NOT exempt from this prohibition. I thought to myself, what does this mean for the two new listings I had already been working on for the last couple of weeks?

Fortunately on Saturday, March 28, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency updated it's list of essential services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and expressly included real estate. The order now includes residential and commercial real estate, including settlement services, as essential services in California. Whew...we are back in business! 

How has the COVID-19 impacted real estate here in Palm Desert

I thought it was really important to let people know that the real estate market here in Palm Desert is not dead. There is activity going on and real estate deals are closing. Watch the video above and catch a glimpse of what's happening with real estate transactions at Ronald Christopher & Associates since March 19th. 

1. GARY MANNING, Realtor - Gary has a listing on the market in Sun City Palm Desert that he listed on January 28th. The seller did a $10k price reduction on March 17th and on March 25th the seller accepted an all cash offer. Congratulations Gary!

2. ROY LAGPACAN, Realtor - Roy had 2 escrows cancel after March 19th but has since opened 3 new escrows! Wow, he has outdone everyone here. Way to go Roy!

3. RON & TINA SAPORITO, Broker - Realtor - We listed two new properties on the market - one in Rancho Mirage and one in Indio - on March 18th and March 19th. The property in Indio has had 6 showings in the past two weeks and we are opening escrow today on a full price offer. The listing in Rancho Mirage has had two showings, we are still waiting for an interested buyer.

People Will Always Need To Buy & Sell Real Estate

In summary, real estate is essential and people will always have to buy and sell. We are offering video tours of our listings so buyers can virtually tour the property first. On the positive, if you are a seller and someone wants to look at your home during this pandemic, you can rest assured they are serious buyers!