SAFETY TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME THROUGH COVID-19

The Top 5 Reasons to Sell Your House TodayNine Months into the COVID-19 pandemic and it is safe to say COVID-19 will be with us for some time longer. Most industries have had to make changes to adapt and thrive throughout these unprecedented times and real estate is no exception. We come across sellers all the time that have taken their properties off the market as they plan to wait until the virus is no longer a threat. In our recent article “The Top 5 Reasons to Sell Your House Today” we discussed why it can be of better benefit to sell your house during this time than to wait until COVID-19 passes. While some will choose to wait, others are listing and benefiting from such a low inventory, high in demand market. A few benefits include:

  • Seller contingency that buyers pay their agent’s commission (typically sellers cover)
  • Receiving of multiple offers above listing price; many in cash
  • No contingency offers, including waiving of appraisals 
If you are on the fence about selling due to concerns of the Coronavirus or you are ready to pull ahead and get your home sold today, here is a list of safety tips you can use to make showing your home safer throughout COVID. 

 

GENERAL COVID-19 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES:

 

It goes without saying that the basic COVID-19 defenses should always be practiced. Upon entry of the home each guest should have access to hand sanitizer. Having disposable gloves and booties can be greatly beneficial as well. Each person should wear a face mask. It is best to leave the home while your realtor is showing it. This will help the buyers touring the home feel comfortable to walk through the home, as well as reduce the risk of direct exposure between yourself and the buyers. However, if you choose to remain in the home during showings be sure to maintain safe social distancing of a minimum of six feet apart. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces once everyone has exited the property.
 
You can visit the Florida Health COVID-19 Response for the most up to date list on general safety practices. While this initial tip is more of a common basic practice, others are not so common.

 

PRESCREEN BUYERS

 

The best way to sell a home fast is to get as many buyers to view it as possible. During COVID we may want to limit the amount of people that enter the property to qualified serious buyers only. Nosey neighbors, window shoppers, and people who are not quite ready to purchase may be tempted to take a look inside. Ask your agent to prescreen all buyers and limit physical showings to qualified serious buyers only.
 
This can be accomplished by requiring anyone interested in viewing the property to provide a preapproval letter or proof of funds before entering. While this can be tedious it will help to limit physical traffic in the home to those that you know are actually ready and able to purchase it.

 

LIMIT THE NUMBER OF GUESTS IN THE PROPERTY AT THE SAME TIME

 

Now that your agent has prescreened the buyers interested in your property it is time to allow access, so they are able to view and fall in love with the home. Limit the amount of people that enter the property to 2-3 persons at a time. Be sure not to restrict children from showings as this can be classified as discrimination according to the Fair Housing Act. Instead, be sure that no more than 2-3 individuals enter the property at one time. This includes agents.
 

CONTACTLESS VIEWING

 

Having disposable gloves handy for people entering the property can be a great option. However, if you choose to not provide precautionary gloves, setting up the property for contactless viewing can be a great alternative.

 

Prior to all showings either have your realtor or you turn on all the lights to the property, open all doors, cabinets, and window treatments. Doing so can greatly limit the need for the visitors to touch these items.
 
Of course, keep bottles of hand sanitizer present and available throughout the home and require everyone to sanitize before entering just in case they do touch any surfaces.

 

VIRTUAL SHOWINGS

 

Virtual showings are a great way to get the property shown to as many people as possible without the need to pose any restrictions or prequalification. While nothing beats the touch and feel process of a physical walkthrough, virtual showings is rapidly becoming the new norm for showing properties.
 
Virtual showings can be performed in a variety of ways:
 
  • You or your agent can do a video walkthrough of the property.
  • You can hire a professional to produce a video presentation of your home.
  • You can require that the buyer’s agent do a video walkthrough of the property that they can share with their clients.
  • And if you really want to get crafty you can hire a professional to conduct a 3d Matterport walkthrough, which can really bring your property to life. With a Matterport walkthrough potential buyers can walk through your home room by room to get a real life 3-dimensional feel of what the property looks like all through the convenience of their own home.  

OPEN HOUSES

 

Rather than scheduling multiple individual showing requests, some sellers are opting to limit showings and receiving of offers to open houses. It creates a buzz when there is a line of people waiting to see the property, with the end result often with multiple bids received.
 
While open houses are a great way to get your property exposure, it is not ideal to have multiple people in the home simultaneously. You can use these steps to help have a safe and successful open house:
 
  • Limit the amount of people that enter the home at one time to no more than two or three
  • Allow only one party in at a time; or if a large house, in one area or floor at a time
  • Have plenty of sanitizer and disinfectant sprays handy to clean in between guests
  • COVID-19 certification for property access (see below)
  • Provide handouts with key home features (your agent can create these)
  • Prep the house for contactless viewing
If the thought of having many people enter the home is a major concern for you. You may also want to consider having your agent host a virtual open house as an alternative.
 

COVID-19 CERTIFICATION FOR PROPERTY ACCESS


A COVID-19 certification for property access document is a good way to ensure each guest entering your home is asked if they are currently infected with COVID, if they have been exposed, if they are sick or if they are currently experiencing symptoms. Although there is no sure way of knowing for sure if someone is infected or has been exposed -- as some people may not experience any symptoms at all -- this will help minimize the risk.
 
Today’s market is a great market for sellers to take advantage of. If you are on the fence about selling due to COVID-19. Get with your agent and discuss a game plan to get your house sold successfully while minimizing the risk.
 
Now that we discussed how to list your property safely throughout COVD-19, check out our Top 5 Reasons to Sell Your House Today.