Although the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is currently underway throughout the country, we still need to follow safety measures designed to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.
Because of the current health crisis, feeling somewhat apprehensive about putting a home on the market is understandable. But while it may seem like a challenge, it’s all a matter of adhering to the proper safety precautions and utilizing resources that are available.
Here are several tips to keep in mind to help you sell your home safely:
Host virtual showings
Get in touch with your real estate agent to inquire about including virtual walkthroughs and/or video tours in your listing. In addition to being the safest way to showcase your home, it also helps you prequalify potential buyers to reduce the amount of people who want to see your home in person.
With a virtual showing, your real estate agent can drop by your property on their own and show the property to prospective buyers on Zoom or Facetime as they walk through the home.
Limit in-person visits to only serious, pre-approved buyers
You’ll likely encounter a few buyers who are insistent on seeing your home in person.
Allow only interested buyers onto your property. Find out whether they’ve been through the video tour, and whether they’re already pre-approved for a mortgage.
Limit in-person showings to one or two visitors only, and make sure they’ve made a reservation beforehand – you don’t want people entering and exiting your property without your knowledge.
Move out before putting your home on the market
Some people have no choice but to live in a home that’s already on the market, which means they usually need to leave for a few hours from time to time whenever there’s a scheduled showing.
The best move is to consider renting a house for the time period in order to reduce the chances of being exposed to the virus. Ask your agent for assistance in locating a place which you can rent on a monthly basis.
Prepare “showing kits”
In case you still need to live in your home while it’s up for sale, talk to your agent about having a “showing kit” ready to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus during a home tour.
The kits should include items such as hand sanitizer, masks, shoe covers, and disposable gloves, both for the agent and the prospective buyers to use as they’re touring the property.
Sign required documents digitally
You can work exclusively online once you’ve started receiving offers. Ask your agent if it’s possible to make use of online tools such as DocuSign, which will allow you to view and sign signatures digitally. Most of the steps in the home selling process can be completed online these days, allowing home sellers to complete transactions without needing to meet up in person.
For more helpful tips, be sure to check out our Home Selling Guide. Get in touch with Cindy Pagnotta and Pagnotta Homes today by calling 908.436.7947 or send an email to info(at)pagnottahomes(dotted)com.