Close person-to-person interaction is something people should avoid during this pandemic and it will certainly become a part of the "new normal" even after cities and countries are marked 100% clear from the virus. Shops, restaurants, and many businesses are greatly affected by this change.
This includes the real estate industry.
Although many state governors ruled that real estate was a necessity, some buyers and sellers put their plans on hold when the pandemic started.
Many leases were dropped, in-house viewing was canceled, contracts were left unsigned, and constructions were put on halt; these are just some of the negative impacts on real estate business brought by the pandemic. Nevertheless, there are still many distinctive ways to sell a home during a pandemic. Here are some of the things to keep in mind and follow when selling a house during this period:
Limit In-person showing
Taking good photos of the different parts of the home was the norm before. At this time of social-distancing, one must take it to the next level. To limit the contact or close encounters with people, taking clear videos of the spaces they are trying to sell is a good alternative as others don't prefer just seeing still images. This allows the buyer to walk through the house virtually.
Some buyers still prefer in-person showing. If this is the case, set rules beforehand. Let the potential buyers know what to do before entering the house, such as leaving shoes outside, Wearing a face mask and gloves, limiting or not touching anything in the house, and using hand sanitizer before entering the house.
Virtual showing
Aside from high-definition photos or videos, having virtual tours is an innovative way to show houses. Conducting in-person showings run the risk of endangering the seller, the potential buyer’s, and the Realtor’s health. Some have done 3D tours wherein 3D photos of the rooms were taken, and interested buyers can view the rooms just by swiping or toggling the photo to the right or left.
Virtual tours can also be done via video calls. Facebook Live and Zoom meetings can be used to show the seller’s house to interested buyers without making any physical appearances.
Limit on-site inspections and appraisals
Inspections are part of the many processes before one can sell a house. In this process, some agree with just seeing photos or videos. However, many still want to inspect and appraise in-person. Similar to in-person showing, make sure to agree on rules before the beginning of any transactions. If possible, limit the number of people to come as well. And after the inspection, make sure to clean and disinfect thoroughly.
Remote home closing
Some areas are open to doing remote home closures. With this, limiting the number of people attending a closing is a good step toward limiting direct contact. If remote home closing is allowed or doable, send the necessary information and files online, and make sure that both sides can receive and reply to messages promptly to avoid any delays or misunderstandings. Many states for the first time ever are allowing remote Notary signing under specific rules and regulations. These mobile notaries are the ones moving from one place to another instead of the buyer or the seller.
The pandemic has certainly shaken the economy. It has also brought about a lot of major changes in dealing with several businesses. Nevertheless, selling a home during this time can still be done successfully as long as all parties involved adapt to the changes.
For more specific guidance on selling your home during this pandemic, please call Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors® at (866) 742-5732 or email us at ClientCare@RealtyExecutives.com.
