405 Closure Detours Good For Home Sellers

Carmageddon is nearly upon us! And with all of the news hype about the closure of a 10-mile stretch of the 405 freeway this weekend, one would think everybody should run, hide and shudder in fear until the apocalyptic event passes.

By midnight Friday, all lanes and ramps will be closed for construction along the northbound 405 freeway between Interstate 10 and the 101 freeway. They will reopen Monday morning at 5 a.m.

Heavy stuff, no doubt, for our car-reliant culture here in the greater Los Angeles area. And I understand people’s anxiety. But let me tell you what my real estate team is planning to do this weekend: Stay put, relax and sell homes.

While other people view the highway closure as a potential catastrophe, we look at it as a real estate buying and selling opportunity.

Life is so fast paced much of the time here in Los Angeles. The 405 closure is literally going to force people to slow down, smell the roses and take another route –or routes– they may not have considered in the past.

Think about it.

Prospective buyers, at least the ones who brave the possibility of gridlock to scout out their next dream home, might just be willing to spend an extra 15 or 20 minutes at an open house. And there will be no shortage of opportunities to connect with them about the 405 closure.

You might even use the event as a selling point. Think: Once construction is complete, travel between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside should be easier.

All of the detours around town are also going to likely increase traffic on major side streets such as Ventura Boulevard. What a perfect opportunity to blanket the area with open house and for sale signs. 

In my opinion, this is kind of like buying and selling homes during the holidays. Many people assume they should take their properties off the market until everybody returns to business as usual. But in my experience, buyers pounding the pavement during the holidays tend to be more serious about purchasing.

You never know when the right person is going to walk into the right house at the right time. Buying and selling real estate is kind of mysterious that way.

And given the fact that so many people will be staying at home this weekend, I think it’s a prime time for buyers to get a good feel for the area’s different neighborhoods. Take time to look at homes, chat with folks in their yards, and visit the local markets and businesses.

Sure the 405 closure is going to be inconvenient for many – maybe even me. So instead of shaking in fear, let’s all just relax, enjoy experiencing something new, and celebrate this place we call home.