Interview With Q3 Top Seller Mike DiPietro

Ryan Haley, broker and owner of Atlantic Shores Sotheby's International Realty, interviews Mike DiPietro, who was the first agent with the company and also the top seller for the third quarter of 2020. 

What Has 2020 Looked Like for Mike?

While the year started out normal for agents like Mike, everything came to a halt once COVID-19 took affect. This meant quickly adapting to restrictions and focusing on emails, phone calls, and video calls from home. As the year progressed, however, with interest rates dropping and the flexibility to work from home increasing for a lot of buyers, we saw the market sway toward a seller’s advantage. Once the market saw a surge in buyers, the company had to change the way it operated.

Videos and FaceTime were a significant tool with a lot of Mike’s buyers being out-of-state residents or those following strict social distancing protocols. He felt it was vital to get his clients virtually into properties as soon as he could due to properties going under contract as soon as they hit the market.

Face-to-Face Versus Virtual Showings

The year has seen Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty heavily utilize virtual showings, but when our clients preferred traditional face-to-face showings, the necessary precautions were taken to ensure a safe experience. 

What Is Going on in the Market?

The market situation has been a big concern for many, and with Mike and Ryan frequently getting asked about what to expect in the coming year, they have some advice to potential sellers and buyers:

Because of the record-low interest rate, Mike encourages buyers to buy now as they have more buying power today compared to years before. He also believes that it is an opportune time to buy because prices are going up and they are expected to go higher next year. 

Mike also sees the current market as the perfect time for sellers to put their property listed to get the most money, mainly because prices are higher and properties are getting multiple offers and are gone fast.