Sales started off very strong in March, but by the middle of the month, demand dropped dramatically, however it is nothing like the last recession. We’re continuing development and we’re still putting inventory in the ground. We’re just doing it more strategically.
We have embraced what is now becoming the new normal for the wider real estate industry – going virtual. In both Sam Rodgers Homes Communities, GreyHawk Landing in Bradenton, and Gran Paradiso in Venice, we have made our models available for online virtual tours. These tours allow you to simulate a home walk-thru, interactively, choosing where to walk and how you want to explore. They also allow you to look up at the ceiling, down at the floors, out the windows and spin 360 within each room. We have an up-to-date site map available to choose from available lots as well. With these features you can enjoy browsing and learning the details you want to know from the comfort of your own couch. Click HERE to take a tour.
Yes, from virtual tours to FaceTime showings, we’re still selling homes in the current environment. After the initial online shopping and questions are answered online and by phone, many homebuyers will drive through the community to get a feel for it and when they see what Sam Rodgers’ Homes have to offer they can’t help but fall in love. Most buyers have still wanted to see homes in person at that point and schedule private tours which we have made individual to them with no other customers present. During those appointments we have refrained from handshaking and practiced social distancing, plus taken extra steps to clean and sanitize high-touch point locations (door handles, restrooms, etc.) between appointments.
Although the virus has increased the favor of online shopping over foot traffic to our sales centers, builders have been selling homes remotely for years. The pivot today is that the tools that builders have at their disposal are substantially different than they used to be. It makes the process so transparent and frictionless for the consumer, that we’re actually seeing a transition that benefits the market beyond the coronavirus. The trend is sure to continue even after the virus. In addition to virtual, and online options, sellers and buyers have been granting power of attorney to their real estate lawyers, and closings are conducted with only the essential people present. Documents can be passed along via messengers or scanned and electronically signed using DocuSign. Even remote online notary services, are now available in Florida allowing title searches and closings to be conducted entirely online.
This all being said we’re better positioned to take advantage of an economic recovery than we were in the Recession. Back then, we had systematic issues with home building, and the mortgage industry was a disaster. We’ve learned to be disciplined about putting the right amount of homes on the market at any given time and not creating an excess supply. So generally speaking, we believe the industry is set up to recover. When that occurs is anybody’s guess.
We can tell you that we’ve had a ton of hits on our virtual home tours. We’ve scheduled a surprising number of virtual appointments leading to sales, and lately we have even begun to notice more foot traffic. Homebuyers, no doubt are tired of staying home and are already coming back to explore our communities. We’d like to think that people are attracted to the safety and security we’ve offered and with the especially low interest rates, buying a new luxury home like the ones offered by Sam Rodgers Homes seems to be irresistible.
If things continue to recover like this, our existing communities will be sold out in no time. Grand Paradiso is getting down to the last few premium lots while GreyHawk Landing isn’t too far behind.
For limited opportunities in Gran Paradiso,
please View Our Homes Now or Call Nancy Jorges at 941.303.8411
And for interest in Sam Rodgers Homes at GreyHawk Landing,
please Click Here or call Vivian Militello at 941-304-0765.
