Selling a home is a big enough headache during normal times, often taking longer and being more emotionally draining than you ever suspected. Now, in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, it’s even more of a challenge. Not only do you have to find some creative ways to do what was once easy, but you also have to take plenty of precautions to remain healthy. So let’s look at some coronavirus precautions to take when selling a house in Woodland Park.
Conduct Virtual Showings
Showing your home is an inevitable part of selling it. Now, though, it doesn’t necessarily have to be in person, especially for Woodland Park home sellers (and buyers) who want to take all the necessary coronavirus precautions.
Many sellers now are going beyond just listing phots and including virtual home tours. “These days, sellers are taking their listings up a notch by offering virtual tours of their homes to drive interest among buyers and provide a more in-depth glimpse of the property. Sellers love virtual tours because typically what would be the inconvenience of leaving the residence for 20 to 30 minutes to allow potential buyers access now [affords] the opportunity to allow them access without having to leave. Doing a virtual tour reduces the number of in-person visits to only those who are truly interested.”
Take Extra Precautions for In-Person Showings
At some point, though, you may have to have an in-person showing. In that case, you definitely need to take extra coronavirus precautions. These include:
- Making sure potential buyers are pre-approved and are serious buyers
- Making sure viewers have taken the virtual tour and have read the disclosure statement
- Providing “showing kits” that include face masks, booties, gloves, and hand sanitizer
- Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting everything after the showing is over
Choose Alternative Inspections and Appraisals
Another of the coronavirus precautions [market-city] sellers can take is to choose alternative inspections and appraisals. These can eliminate person-to-person contact when done virtually online or (in the case of appraisals) inspecting only the outside of a house from a safe distance. These are options in some areas.
Here’s another precaution some inspection companies take: asking “sellers to stay secluded in part of the home away from the inspector. Inspectors are also following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, with buyers wearing booties, masks, and gloves, and sellers wiping down everything with disinfectant wipes when the potential buyers leave.”
Opt for a Remote Closing
One of the best coronavirus precautions for sellers (and everyone else involved) has to do with the closing. Remote closings have been an option for some time, but the practice is exploding now.
“Currently, 23 states have remote online notarization policies, allowing a notary and signer to execute electronic documents while in different physical locations. The National Association of Realtors® recently sent a letter toCongress asking lawmakers to expand the policies nationally to make real estate transactions safer and easier during the pandemic.”
Another remote-closing option is the eClosing. “Digital real estate closings, or eClosings, give buyers the ability to sign settlement documents electronically – meaning parties don’t have to meet in a room to close the deal. Most eClosings are orchestrated by title agents, who often lead individuals through the required paperwork via video conferencing.”
Follow the CDC’s Guidelines for Coronavirus Precautions
Finally, you should always observe the CDC’s recommendations and guidelines for coronavirus precautions.
Determine, first of all, whether you are in a high-risk category and need to take extra precautions. According to the CDC, “[o]lder adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19illness.”
Then, just follow CDC recommends for minimizing exposure to the virus – which is mainly spread from person to person and for which there is no vaccine yet.
- Keep a minimum of six feet between yourself and other people.
- Stay far away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Don’t assume someone is virus-free simply because she is displaying no symptoms
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place.
- If you can’t wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face, especially mouth, eyes, and nose.
- Wear a face mask when you go out in public.
Consult Your Local Agent
These are challenging and trying times. Many lives have been disrupted and forever changed. But we’ve also seen a burst of creative solutions and workarounds – as you’ve just seen in these coronavirus precautions for Woodland Park home sellers. Your local real estate agent can also help you stay safe by offering other solutions and more precautions for selling your home. To discover more about how our agents can help, contact us today at 719-480-8638.