Note: This is the first in a series of daily updates about how business is continuing at Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty through the coronavirus pandemic. Check back each day for updates.
The past week has been anything but business as usual for everyone. The agents and staff at Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty are still working full time, albeit from our homes in Bucks County, the Main Line, Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley. Pennsylvania and New Jersey state regulations allow us to work remotely; open houses and showings at occupied homes with agents present are prohibited.
The Goo
d News
We are focused on getting our clients to closing as smoothly as possible. Last week, Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty had 17 closings, all handled with social distancing measures in place (BYOP, or bring your own pen, among other practices) and many overseen by the expert closing pros from Brendan Nolan’s team at Tohickon Settlement Services. Closings are scheduled for this week and next, and Tohickon Settlement Services has issued guidelines (see above left) on how settlements will proceed so that everyone is safe.
Demand for Rentals Increases
We have received an uptick in requests for rentals from people seeking to get out of the city for the next six months. We have a list of homes and carriage houses available for rent. If you are interested in Bucks County, Pa., or central New Jersey (Lambertville/Stockton/Frenchtown) rentals, please contact our New Hope office at 215.794.3227. If you are interested in Philadelphia and its suburbs, please contact our Chestnut Hill office at 215.298.9415. Our phones in all offices are forwarding to our administrative assistants who can then direct you to the best person to connect you to available inventory, much of which is not online because we are building the list of available properties as we write this.
New Listings
This March, we have already topped our number of listings launched compared to last March. We are virtually meeting with prospective sellers who had planned on listing their homes this spring. Photography, video and 3D tours (this one from Dana Lansing is hot off the press) can be done in a safe manner for our sellers and our photographer. While we expect a drop in new activity, we know the current situation is temporary. Mortgage rates are going to remain low, and when we all are able to move freely about our world, demand will be strong. In the meantime, we will use innovative ways to stay in touch with clients and keep moving forward, together.
Stay well.
Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty 