Majority of Those Who Attended an Open House in 2019 Would Do So Now

Laurie Brill, 2020 President, Lorain County Association of Realtors®

Laurie Brill 2020 LoCAR President

As part of LoCAR's continuing effort to inform the general public of real estate issues, the following article was submitted to the Morning Journal, The Chronicle-Telegram and LorainCounty.com:

A majority of people – 65% – who attended an open house within the last year would do so now without hesitation, according to survey data released by the National Association of REALTORS®. The series of surveys, which explored how home buyers and sellers want to safely handle home sales transactions during the coronavirus pandemic, were conducted by the research firm Engagious for NAR as the association kicks off National Homeownership Month.

“The real estate industry – and our country – has endured some very challenging times for several months, but we’re seeing signs of progress and we are earnestly hoping the worst is behind us,” said NAR President Vince Malta, broker at Malta & Co., Inc., in San Francisco, CA. “While we celebrate Homeownership month, we embrace today’s version of homeownership and the unique paths homeowners take to realize their dream. For prospective buyers, the desire to own a home remains strong and the guidance, expertise and professionalism REALTORS® provide is more important now than ever.”

The series of biweekly national surveys collected information on consumer attitudes about working with real estate professionals during the coronavirus pandemic. Several survey highlights include:
• Approximately half of buyers (47%) and sellers (53%) said that during the current pandemic, relying upon a real estate professional when searching for or selling a home is much more important than before.
• A majority of buyers (54%) and sellers (62%) said that particularly during the pandemic, a real estate agent’s guidance is especially valued.
• Almost 6 in 10 buyers and sellers – 59% and 58%, respectively – believed that buying and selling real estate is an essential service.
• About half of buyers – 51% – said an agent can help buyers glean more valuable information from online listings than buyers could uncover on their own.
• More than half of buyers – 56% – believed an agent can save a buyer the time and stress of weeding through online listings.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, contact a REALTOR® today. Members of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS® care about the community in which they live, work and support.

Do your research and take advantage of the many housing opportunities right here in Lorain County. We are fortunate to live in a region with such vast offerings. From big to small, country to city... it's available in Lorain County! Our proximity to highway and freeway access provides great commute options both east and west! Contact your LoCAR REALTOR® member today.

The Lorain County Association of REALTORS® is an industry trade association representing licensed real estate sales agents in Lorain County who are members of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and the Ohio REALTORS® (OR). As members of NAR these licensed real estate agents have earned the REALTOR® designation and they pledge to protect the rights of homeownership and conduct their real estate business abiding by the NAR Code of Ethics.

The Lorain County Association of REALTORS® is excited partner with Lorain County Habitat for Humanity® for a charity golf outing that will assist Habitat’s work. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry seeking to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness throughout Lorain County and is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a worldwide ministry supported by the National Association of REALTORS®. This charity golf outing will be held on September 28, 2020 at the Elyria Country Club. Your involvement provides a great opportunity for your company to receive community exposure and help to support a very worthwhile cause. If you are interested in golfing or sponsorship, please email: [email protected].

The Lorain County Association of REALTORS® is one of more than 1,200 local boards and associations of REALTORS® nationwide that comprise the National Association of REALTORS®. The National Association of REALTORS® is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.4 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate sales agents are REALTORS®. All REALTORS® are members of NAR along with their State and Local Association.