If you have been following the news recently, you likely are aware of the fact that the corona virus pandemic has caused many municipalities across the country to enact shelter in place orders, to slow the spread of the virus.
Although these orders require many businesses to shut down, real estate transactions are generally permitted due to the fact they are essential in many areas. That in mind, you should not let the pandemic cause you to postpone selling your home. By following the tips for selling during the coronavirus pandemic listed below, you can expedite the sale of your home.
Making a great first impression, from afar
Now that many buyers are performing much of the home shopping process online, it is important to work with your real estate agent to ensure that your property makes a great first impression when a buyer views the listing.
For starters, you should deep clean, depersonalize, declutter, and stage your home. In addition to taking photos of your space, you should also leverage video to provide prospective buyers with a comprehensive overview of the property.
In addition to creating pre-recorded content, your real estate agent should host virtual live viewings. These involve the agent using web conferencing software such as Zoom or Hangouts to broadcast a walkthrough. During this process, prospective buyers can ask questions and receive answers in real-time.
How to prepare for in-person visits
Although much of the work to market your house during the coronavirus pandemic can be done digitally, the majority of buyers require an in-person visit before making a final decision. You can simplify the process of having an in-person showing by following the tips below:
Make it clear to the prospective buyer that they are not allowed to attend a showing if they are feeling unwell or showing any signs of an illness. Offer to postpone the showing to after they recover.
Disinfect all frequently touched surfaces (e.g. counters, doorknobs, light switches) before and after each showing.
Frequently wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if you are not near running water.
Require guests to remove their shoes before entering the home or provide them with footwear coverings.
Ensure all persons stay at least six feet apart throughout the showing.
Understanding your home inspection options
A simple way to increase the marketability of your home is to arrange a pre-listing inspection, if available in your area. With these arrangements, the seller has an inspector conduct a walkthrough of the property before listing. They can then use the results to market the listing.
If you choose to have a pre-listing inspection, or buyer’s inspection, you can use the following tips to protect everyone’s health during the process:
The inspector should walk through the home alone, without the buyer, seller, or either of their agents.
All persons should wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and a mask.
Sellers should ensure all areas of their home are easy to access, in order to minimize the need for anyone to touch surfaces.
After the inspection, conduct extensive home cleaning.
If an in-person inspection is not ideal, an alternative appraisal might be an option. Many lenders are now considering accepting these as a substitute for in-person inspections due to the pandemic. Alternative appraisals occur when a licensed appraiser uses tax/MLS records, photos and videos of the interior/exterior of the property, and in some cases a drive-by to verify the value of the home.
For more on COVID-19 and the real estate comeback, check outHomeLight’s Top Agent Insight Survey from Q2.