The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the way we do most things, real estate included. While it may not be the most ideal time to sell a home, it’s also not a bad time. Demand for homes is up, and with mortgage rates near all-time lows, many interested buyers are jumping at the chance to find their dream home. Here are some tips for safely selling your home during a pandemic.
Offer Virtual Tours
A virtual tour could consist of anything from a simple live walkthrough with an agent to a full 3D recorded house tour. These in-person walkthrough alternatives allow a potential buyer to really get a feel for what a house is like without physically stepping inside. Ask your realtor for more information about how to set up virtual tours of your home.
Don’t Forget About Staging
Staging is an incredibly important part of the home selling process, but not everyone wants a stager entering their home during this uncertain time. Some professionals are offering virtual staging services where they can seamlessly add décor to images of your home digitally. If virtual staging isn’t for you, consider taking a DIY approach and staging your home for photos or videos yourself. Items such as blankets and throw pillows, mirrors and framed art, plants, and decorative containers can really elevate the look of a room. Check out these helpful DIY room staging tips from HGTV.
Use the Extra Time in Your Home to Transform Your Space
Most of us are spending more time than ever in our homes. Take advantage of this time by tackling some home improvement projects. Transform unused space in your home into a spare bedroom, home office, or gym. Upgrade your backyard to include a patio or garden. Build the fence you’ve always thought would elevate your outdoor space. The possibilities are seemingly endless.
Take Extra Precautions for Face to Face Showings and Meetings
While it’s great to have virtual options, they aren’t always going to be the best choice for you depending on your unique situation. When welcoming people into your home, be sure to sanitize before and especially after. In their Coronavirus guide for Realtors, the National Association of Realtors offers guidance for what to do before, during, and after in-person showings. First and foremost, you should check state and local mandates and executive orders for any specific requirements regarding in-person showings. During the showing, they suggest maintaining social distancing, limiting the number of people who may attend at one time, hand washing and sanitizing as well as removing footwear at the start of the tour, discouraging the touching of any home surfaces such as handles and light switches, and avoiding handshaking. If possible, keep a log including names, dates, and locations for contract tracing purposes should someone contract COVID-19. Following a showing, you’ll want to wipe down all surfaces visitors came in contact with. For more suggestions, check out our tips for disinfecting your home.
If you have questions regarding financing your home now or in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our experienced loan officers.
