#harveygoodman

[ledenews]

Scott Connors - Re-Inventing Real Estate

So often in the real estate business it feels like it’s about momentum with one sale after another, but a brick wall called COVID-19 has collided with the real estate industry. Scott Connors and his team of representatives from Harvey-Goodman Realtor knows all about that vibe of success, but the past three weeks? The moment after the governors in Ohio and West Virginia ordered closures of non-essential businesses, changes had to be made immediately so Connors and his colleagues could continue sales already in motion and also to keep the market open. Latex gloves, social distancing, online shopping, telecommunications … Connors has figured out a new process to guiding clients through a system once heavy with personal interaction during open houses, showings, and inspections. The real estate industry depends on homeowners wishing to sell, and home buyers looking to relocate, and his job is to make those connections while caring for his wife and children during these pandemic times.

Scott’s kids do keep in touch during his days outside their home.

What has been the overall impact to the real estate business during this coronavirus pandemic?

It's definitely not business as usual. Some sellers are declining showings (typically only occupied homes), and many buyers have pushed "pause". So, we've slowed, particularly on the listing side. It's been good, though, as we are finding new ways to connect with clients remotely, becoming more comfortable with new technologies, and finding ways to do more with less. I expect that many of these changes will become permanent once business returns to normal.

Right now, the only part of the selling and purchasing process that cannot take place are open houses. How are the other steps conducted right now?

We are still doing in-person showings, although we're using every precaution to keep our clients safe. We're wearing gloves, asking clients to let us open doors and cabinets, and turn on light switches, sanitizing everything constantly, and of course, maintaining a 6-foot distance whenever possible. We've been doing electronic contracts for years, so that's not really any different. It's rare for a contract to be signed in person these days anyway. Closings have been interesting, as we are limiting the number of people in the room (at a minimum), and even having some clients stay in their cars to sign. A lot of the work in our business happens behind the scenes, on the phone, in the office, or on a computer. So that really hasn't changed.

Harvey-Goodman Realtor has properties listed throughout the Upper Ohio Valley.

Can someone interested in a property listed by Harvey-Goodman view the interior without meeting a firm representative at the actual residence?

Yes! Again, we've been doing some of these things for a long time. We can do live, remote walkthroughs via video conference so buyers can see every part of a home without ever entering into it. Buyers can also view tons of pictures, virtual tours, and much more at ClickHarvey.com (or ClickScott.com, if you prefer). One more thing … we are also working with sellers remotely. A typical Market Analysis involves an in-person walkthrough where we make suggestions about what a seller should do to get their home ready for market, as well as provide research to help establish an asking price. We can do the exact same thing remotely via video chat. It's pretty neat. Anyone interested in seeing how it works can go here: http://scottconnors.clickharvey.com/evaluation/remote-walkthrough?utm_source=Website

What communication platforms are being utilized by you and other members with Harvey-Godman Realtor?

We are using all the usual suspects: Facetime, Facebook Messenger, Skype, YouTube, Snapchat, and many more. Basically, we will use whatever platform is most comfortable for the client.

Connors always has today’s tools of the trade close by during these pandemic days.

Sales have continued to take place for agreements made prior to the pandemic, but what about now? What do you expect for the remainder of this year?

We are still showing, offering, negotiating, accepting, and closing. The pace is definitely slower than usual, but people still need to buy and sell. The second half of 2020 will be the busiest market I've ever seen in my 11-year career. There are people out there right now who are ready to buy or sell but have decided to wait. When the world returns to normal, they're going to be ringing our phones off the hook. Interest rates will be low, and banks will be ready to lend. We are using this slow time right now to prepare for the coming rush. Read the full article

[ledenews]

Scott Connors - Re-Inventing Real Estate

So often in the real estate business it feels as if it’s about momentum with one sale after another, but a brick wall called COVID-19 has collided with the real estate industry. Scott Connors and his team of representatives from Harvey-Goodman Realtor know all about that vibe of success, but the past three weeks? The moment after the governors in Ohio and West Virginia ordered closures of non-essential businesses, changes had to be made immediately so Connors and his colleagues could continue sales already in motion and also to keep the market open. Latex gloves, social distancing, online shopping, telecommunications, Connors has figured out a new process to guiding clients through a system once heavy with personal interaction during open houses, showings, and inspections. The real estate industry depends on homeowners wishing to sell, and home buyers looking to relocate, and his job is to make those connections while caring for his wife and children during these pandemic times.

Scott’s kids do keep in touch during his days outside their home.

What has been the overall impact to the real estate business during this coronavirus pandemic?

It's definitely not business as usual. Some sellers are declining showings (typically only occupied homes), and many buyers have pushed "pause." So, we've slowed, particularly on the listing side. It's been good, though, as we are finding new ways to connect with clients remotely, becoming more comfortable with new technologies, and finding ways to do more with less. I expect that many of these changes will become permanent once business returns to normal.

Right now, the only part of the selling and purchasing process that cannot take place is the open houses. How are the other steps conducted right now?

We are still doing in-person showings, although we're using every precaution to keep our clients safe. We're wearing gloves, asking clients to let us open doors and cabinets, and turn on light switches, sanitizing everything constantly, and of course, maintaining a 6-foot distance whenever possible. We've been doing electronic contracts for years, so that's not really any different. It's rare for a contract to be signed in person these days anyway. Closings have been interesting, as we are limiting the number of people in the room (at a minimum) and even having some clients stay in their cars to sign. A lot of the work in our business happens behind the scenes, on the phone, in the office, or on a computer. So that really hasn't changed.

Harvey-Goodman Realtor has properties listed throughout the Upper Ohio Valley.

Can someone interested in a property listed by Harvey-Goodman view the interior without meeting a firm representative at the actual residence?

Yes! Again, we've been doing some of these things for a long time. We can do live, remote walkthroughs via video conference so buyers can see every part of a home without ever entering into it. Buyers can also view tons of pictures, virtual tours, and much more at ClickHarvey.com (or ClickScott.com, if you prefer). One more thing, we are also working with sellers remotely. A typical Market Analysis involves an in-person walkthrough where we make suggestions about what a seller should do to get their home ready for market, as well as provide research to help establish an asking price. We can do the exact same thing remotely via video chat. It's pretty neat. Anyone interested in seeing how it works can go here: http://scottconnors.clickharvey.com/evaluation/remote-walkthrough?utm_source=Website

What communication platforms are being utilized by you and other members with Harvey-Godman Realtor?

We are using all the usual suspects: Facetime, Facebook Messenger, Skype, YouTube, Snapchat, and many more. Basically, we will use whatever platform is most comfortable for the client.

Connors always has today’s tools of the trade close by during these pandemic days.

Sales have continued to take place for agreements made prior to the pandemic, but what about now? What do you expect for the remainder of this year?

We are still showing, offering, negotiating, accepting, and closing. The pace is definitely slower than usual, but people still need to buy and sell. The second half of 2020 will be the busiest market I've ever seen in my 11-year career. There are people out there right now who are ready to buy or sell but have decided to wait. When the world returns to normal, they're going to be ringing our phones off the hook. Interest rates will be low, and banks will be ready to lend. We are using this slow time right now to prepare for the coming rush. Read the full article

[ledenews]

Big Bertha's Up for Sale

Jay Arritt, the owner of the building that once housed the gentleman’s club known as Big Bertha’s, doesn’t know a lot of the history the business, and the only reason why he owns the structure is that in 2002 it was a package deal. Big Bertha’s, located at 1067 Main St. across the street from the former location of Horne’s, opened soon after the Club Tower was purchased and closed to make way for the Boury Center. That building currently is named Century Plaza.

Big Bertha's was a long, slender nightclub that opened soon after the Club Tower closed in downtown Wheeling. “I’m pretty sure Big Bertha’s closed in the early 1990s, but I’m not 100 percent sure because the building wasn’t mine at that time,” Arritt said. “I know the place was only open for four or five years because it didn’t work out the way the owners wanted. “I was never in it when it was open for business, so I don’t know if it was ever busy. Since it closed only after a few years, my guess is that it wasn’t that popular of place,” he continued. “I bought that building only because it came with the (Outdoor Store) building. It was a package deal, so I own, it and it’s up for sale, too.”

The owners of Big Bertha's left some things behind when it closed in the early 1990s, but these gems remain behind the bar.

A Package Deal

Arritt, a resident of Moundsville, decided to buy the pawn shop because he had worked there for nearly two decades when the former owner informed him he decided to retire. It was a solid decision for many years, growing the number of employees to nearly 10, but customer traffic has slowed during the past 10 years. “I bought the Outdoor Store because I had worked here for 18 years before the owner offered it to me,” Arritt explained. “I was offered the shot, so I took it because I knew the business and thought it would be a great idea. And it was a great idea for a pretty long time. “But over the years, the business got slower and slower, and it came to the point several years ago to where I had to start cutting staff in order to survive,” he said. “At one time I had eight employees, and then I cut it down to three. From there, I had to let them go, too, and it’s been just me for the last year.” Initially, the Internet did not intimidate Arritt because of the steady flow of business he had experienced since his first day on the job. But then revenue decreased significantly enough that difficult decisions had to be made. “I think one of the reasons why the business got so slow is because of Internet sales. I guess people didn’t have a use for a business like this one anymore,” Arritt admitted. “They can buy and sell online now, and that really put a hurting on me, and it’s hurting a lot of other small businesses, too. “It’s been awful, if I have to be honest, and it’s now time to get out,” he continued. “I had hoped that laying off the employees would allow me to keep it afloat, but that just hasn’t worked out,” he said. “It’s just time to get out while I can.”

This female mannequin stands in front of the bar after Outdoor Store employees placed her there to store until needed again.

For Sale

Since Arritt offered a 30 percent discount on all merchandise except for firearms, the flow of customers nearly has emptied the Outdoor Store’s large retail area. Only a few fishing poles are left, some military surplus, and the jewelry cases remain somewhat filled with discounted items. As far as items that have been pawned and paid on, Arritt said approximately 30 items remain in the store. “I am working with those folks so they’ll be able to get those items back in their possession,” he explained. “The writing has been on the wall for some time now, and it’s the best time for me while I’m still young enough to find something else to do for that paycheck. Right now, with the Outdoor Store, there’s no paycheck. It’s a shame I have to leave Wheeling after all this time in order to survive, but that’s a fact.”

Much of the merchandise inside the Outdoor Store has been sold since the owner began offering 30 percent discounts on everything except handguns. The Outdoor Store moved from Market Street to its current location in 1985, and once again it’s a package deal that can be purchased via Harvey Goodman Realtor for $225,000. Arritt said he paid for a new rubber roof for both buildings just 12 years ago and that he has not experienced a single structural issue in the past 18 years. Above the street-level entrances, each building has two floors that once were residential, and there are three levels of basements below the main floors. Since Big Bertha’s closed, Arritt confirmed, it’s remained silent with no communicated interest.

Jay Arritt worked at the Outdoor Store for 18 years before purchasing the buildings and the business in 2002. “So, the only reason that I’ve gone over since I bought it has been to store some larger items that we’ve had come in,” Arritt explained, “like lawnmowers and bikes and things like that. That’s all Bertha’s has been used for since the 1990s. “But most of everything that was in there when it was Bertha’s is still there. At least what those business owners left behind,” he said. “They left the place pretty much a mess, but anyone who went there when it was open will recognize it from the photos, I’m sure.”

For the first time in a while, the front door of the former Big Bertha's has been opened to potential buyers of the two properties along Main Street. Read the full article