OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Cassidee Reeve of NP Dodge Real Estate said when she learned that the first person to die of COVID-19 in Nebraska was a realtor, the news hit close to home.
“We do meet different people, every day," Reeve said. "If you're holding an open house, you don't know who's coming through the door or have they traveled? Have they been exposed? I'm one of these people where I am friendly. I do like to shake hands.”
Now those handshakes and celebratory hugs have been swapped out for Clorox wipes and face masks, as Reeve meets with clients looking for their dream home.
“Now I've got a few extra kind of tools in my bag here," Reeve said. "I always bring hand sanitizer, and I also bring Clorox wipes so that as I'm going through a home, if I need to touch anything, if I need to turn on lights, if I need to open doors, anything like that. I'll also either remove my shoes or wear booties in the home."
But this is only for a final walk through of the home. Reeve said in light of the coronavirus, she is making it easier for potential buyers to views the homes through virtual tours.
From the comfort of your own home, you can now tour the house you’re interested in, viewing each room, closet and pantry from a laptop, desktop or smartphone.
Through virtual tours and hardworking agents, Mike Riedmann, President of Residential Sales, said the company was able to sell 419 properties last month despite the ongoing pandemic.
“It's a great time to buy homes," Riedmann said. "You have a good inventory, you have very attractive interest rates right now; today, you can get a mortgage for less than 4%.”
According to Reeve, its also a good time to sell a house, though she never wants those she represents to feel pressured if they are financially insecure at this time.
"If people are out looking, they're serious buyers, so you may not have as much actual foot traffic through the home because again, agents like myself, we're doing things like adding additional photos to listings."
Riedmann said the company saw 300 houses go on the market last month, and they’re expecting April to bring in high numbers as well.
“The NP Dodge company has been in business since 1855, so we're in business during the Civil War, the first World War, the second World War; this is not even our first pandemic outbreak," Reidmann said. "So we're accustomed and flexible, and company doesn't last for over 160 years, unless they're able to be flexible and change with the times.”
