These are unprecedented times. A survey of Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Agents through March 23 indicated that 32% of buyers may be putting their search on hold — however 30% cited a lack of inventory for their reason. 
Sellers are advised to stay flexible and realistic in terms of time frames and marketing opportunities. It’s time to be creative and engage in the marketing process to sell your home. Providing short videos or writing a “seller story” about what you love most about your home, are just a couple of resources your agent can leverage in the promotion of your property. Most of all, be patient. 
For sellers considering listing their home in the coming months, now is a great time to prepare it for market. Consider a FaceTime walk-through with your agent. This could help you prioritize the tasks that can save you time and, hopefully, money. With the extra time you have, start spring cleaning a little sooner. Get outside and take care of the landscaping, check off some items on the repairs list, start de-cluttering, or packing things away for a move. Reach out to your agent and begin the process for when the time is right for you. 
Today, more than ever, we are reminded about the importance of home and the feeling of comfort it can bring. It’s important to remember — while it is not “business as usual,” we will get through this together.
— Chris Von Trapp, Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman, Vergennes
 
Thank you for asking me to participate in your real estate survey about the coronavirus and its current impact on the spring market here in Addison County. As you know, the situation is fluid and changing daily. To date here at RE/MAX  North Professionals in Middlebury, we have closed two transactions that were under contract using “out of the box” unconventional thinking. And we have another scheduled for next week that will be closing at the bank’s drive through. So for those with properties under agreement, where there’s a will there’s a way with a lot of cooperation from our partners, the attorneys and financing institutions. 
For those who are selling right now, the Governor has asked us to shelter in place and deemed our services as non-essential. So we will all be doing our part and working remotely from our homes. That being said, we are still available through text messages, phone calls and emails for our buyers and sellers. We have virtual tours available for most of our properties and can continue to show properties and stay in touch with the help of technology.
Sheltering in place is a wonderful opportunity to get your property ready to go onto the market as soon as it is safely possible. Clean out closets, do spring cleaning, some touch up painting and last minute jobs around your house. 
After this is all over, I believe the market will come back stronger than ever, as we will as a community too. Let’s all do our part and take care of each other.
— Bonnie Gridley, RE/MAX North Professionals, The Gridley Group, Middlebury