Housing Market Sees Major Growth In Tulsa Area Amid COVID-19

While many industries have struggled in recent months, one area that's seeing growth is real estate. Tulsa realtors said that in this current housing market they can't get showings scheduled quickly enough.

The Annual Greater Tulsa Parade of Homes continues through the end of this week offering an inside look into how you can make a house your dream home. The free event features more than 100 homes from more than 50 builders in the Tulsa area. All of the homes are open from 1-7 p.m. and range anywhere from $150,000 to $1 million.

"Prospective buyers can see a wide range of home styles, floor plans, and learn about the latest innovations in materials, features and technology," said Cahn Wiggs, chairman of Greater Tulsa Parade of Homes.

You can download the Tulsa HBA Parade of Homes app to browse through photo galleries, filter through homes that meet your criteria and find directions to homes that interest you.

"I've heard that several contracts have been signed for parade houses that were for sale," Wiggs said.

People have been cooped up at home and they're ready to remodel or load up the U-Haul, but Stone Canyon Director Brian Rose said developers thought the pandemic would hinder the housing market, not help it.

"Do we need to cut back? Do we need to stop developing neighborhoods? And literally at that same time we had a surge of sales from builders, homeowners, and we're at a record year," Rose said.

With people staying home to slow the spread, Rose said prospective buyers have newfound interests when shopping for homes.

"So, it's more of pools, more outdoor entertainment, more cooking, offices at home,” said Rose. “Ability to do things in the neighborhood. Trails, golf courses, so that they don't have to leave home."

Micah Tjeerdsma is a realtor with Luxe Real Estate, who said low interest rates are a major selling point.

"It is kind of a perfect storm where it is a seller's market,” said Tjeerdsma. “Things are moving really fast. A lot of multiple offer situations."

To reassure both parties involved, realtors are offering the option of touch-free zones, glove and mask requirements, and even providing virtual showings.

“Now everything can be done remotely. You don't have to be at the closing table. You can close in your car. We can send a notary to your house,” said Tjeerdsma. “And you can do all your closing papers from the comfort of your own home."