By Sabrina Karl
The pandemic has caused so many things in our lives to switch from indoor and in-person activities to alternative interactions with less human contact. Home buying and selling is no exception, but it can fortunately be done safely by taking a handful of precautions.
Gone for now is the traditional process of physically touring multiple homes, or meeting to review documents. Instead, safely buying and selling a home during Covid-19 boils down to two changes: 1) do every step you can virtually, and 2) when people coming into the home is unavoidable, substantially reduce the risks of virus spread.
Pre-pandemic, virtual showings were a work-around for out-of-state buyers, or provided as a marketing feature by more sophisticated agents and sellers. But virtual home showings are now the new normal, so if you’re a seller, you’ll need to create a video tour of your home. Fortunately, many real estate agents are well equipped to help you create this.
Going virtual also applies when either party needs to meet with their agent (or each other, if no agents are involved), such as reviewing and discussing documents. In warm weather, it’s possible to handle some of these interactions safely outdoors. But video conferencing for these meetings can be more convenient and safer for everyone, no matter the climate.
At some point, people physically entering the home will most likely be necessary. To minimize risks, in-person viewings should be reserved for the most serious buyers. And of course, masks should always be worn. Other recommended measures are to provide sanitizer and gloves upon entering the home. Additionally, turning on all the lights and opening all doors means fewer human touches.
Lastly, limiting the number of people present at any showings helps reduce risk, as does keeping a social distance between parties at all times.