Going virtual: Can you still find the perfect property for sale?

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Whether you are looking for a dream family home or a house as an investment that delivers excellent returns, finding and securing the ideal property for sale can be a challenge. There are so many factors at play – from size and price to location and accessibility, design, and resale potential… and this is just the tip of the iceberg. On top of that, there is also the undeniable emotional connection, which is either here or it is not.

2020 has complicated matters even further. Of all the plans and goals we had for this year, not a single person was likely planning to navigate these efforts within the context of a widespread pandemic affecting the entire world. The property market was one of the areas hardest hit by this pandemic – both due to financial uncertainty and the restrictions imposed by the lockdown measures – making it even more difficult to find the ideal house or apartment for sale.

How do you find a property for sale under these circumstances when it is already challenging without the current restrictions? And, even if you were to find a great property for sale, how do you know that it is the right one for you and that the space speaks to you in the way you want it to?

What to do?

Do you simply postpone looking for your dream property for sale? Do you give up your house hunt altogether? Or do you simply take the plunge and make a purchase and hope for the best?

While the answer to that question truly does rely on the preferences of the individual who is making the purchase, it is also interesting to see how the property market itself has responded to these challenges to connect buyers with properties for sale.

How the industry reacted

As with so many other industries, the innovative thinkers turned to the digital world to provide a solution to connectivity in a socially distanced world. While the technology has been around for a long time, there has been a marked turn towards virtual tours online, leading to better quality content and more effort in representing the space.

What is also interesting to note is the change in features that started dominating the market. With a new work-from-home culture emerging, as well as the need to shift entertainment to the home, there has been an increase in focus on property features, such as home office accommodation opportunities and outside spaces.

Now, a comprehensive, and even at times interactive, virtual tour is a great addition. But what if how you physically feel in a space is important to you? As lockdown restrictions are relaxed or adapted to accommodate certain industries, real estate agents are going to extraordinary lengths to arrange socially distanced and responsible viewings that accommodate both buyer and seller. This way, you can establish a keen interest online, and decide whether this translates to a need for a viewing, only when you know it is a serious option.

Now is the perfect time to start your search

With many of us spending more time at home than usual, it has become more apparent what we want from a living space, and whether change is required. It might also mean more time to look around online. That aside, the interest rate has not been this favourable in decades. Add to that the slowdown that the market has experienced while the industry adapted, leading to properties sitting on the market for longer than usual, the market has unequivocally shifted to the advantage of the buyer.

All you now need is an expert on the local market with a great portfolio of properties available. Partner with Fine & Country South Africa to find the perfect property for sale for you, right now.