Realtors in Orlando Doing Whatever It Takes
Although buyer activity has slowed down a bit, many buyers can’t put off buying a house for whatever reason. Even though people are held up at home, it doesn’t mean they can’t continue the search for their dream home right from their living room. Because of virtual tours, online mortgage application platforms, and tools like Facetime, Orlando real estate agents like myself are still conducting business… not quite “as usual”.
Armed with the latest technology such as smartphones and social media platforms, sellers and buyers have no choice but to rely on the internet for guidance. It’s become apparent that people are becoming more comfortable with technology… even seniors. Virtual tours have never been more popular in Orlando real estate. It’s the only way I’ve been buying and selling houses for the past several weeks.
I’m the kind of Realtor that likes to form a connection with my clients which usually results in a friendship. This means showing properties in person, being present at inspections, showing up to closings, etc. However, I’ve had to get used to doing everything I normally do via emails and lots of phone calls.
This also applies to sellers who need to sell their homes in Orlando. Just a few days ago I acquired a new listing in Orlando. Working together with the seller we got the listing up without ever meeting in person. He was adamant about not wanting anyone in his house and I don’t blame him. We did a thorough walk-through of the home so I could get a feel for it via phone. After giving him a few staging tips, the home is now set for photographs.
Realtors in Orlando and everywhere else for that matter, are having to adjust their practices to continue to do business. For right now and the foreseeable future… this marks the end of open houses and in-person closings and the beginning of virtual tours and remote closings using online notaries.
The Florida Department of State legalized online notarizations as of Jan. 1, 2020. This allows sellers and buyers to close on a home without actually being in the same room.
I believe that real estate deals in Orlando and everywhere else in the world will rely on technology even more so in the future. The public has no choice but to be more trusting of the technology.
Will Orlando Real Estate contracts contain a coronavirus clause?
Social distancing has made it virtually impossible for Orlando real estate agents to show homes and get people together at the same closing table right now. Orlando as of yet doesn’t have a coronavirus addendum to be used in real estate transactions like some other parts of the country have.
Florida however, has recently approved a Coronavirus Extension addendum. This form is available to use when the parties of a real estate transaction need to extend certain dates or periods as a result of COVID-19.
The form includes checkboxes with extension options for the following:
- Closing date extension
- Financing period extension
- Inspection period extension
- Title cure period extension
- Feasibility study period extension
- Due diligence period extension
- Homeowners’/condominium association approval extension
