We know that COVID is going to continue to be around and at a higher level than we’d all like to see for months to come.
We’ve seen the number of COVID cases double, then double again, and then again since the early spring of 2020. We know that COVID is going to continue to be around and at a higher level than we’d all like to see for months to come. Staying safe needs to be your number one priority and the priority for those around you.
Let’s start with Sellers.
Tip #1. Ask your Realtor to conduct a virtual listing presentation to walk through their strategy for getting your home sold during uncertain times. Make sure to do this before your house goes up on the market.
Tip #2. Work with your realtor to create a virtual tour of your home. Make sure to get your home staged properly. The buyers will be viewing your home in a 2-D online environment so staging is very important. This doesn’t mean you need to buy new things, this means you need to organize what you have and pack away the excess. If you’re selling a vacant home ask your realtor about virtual staging strategies. Make sure your Realtor hires a professional photographer and/or videographer to shoot your home. They have the right equipment and expertise to help your home shine.
Tip #3. Let your Realtor know if you or any family members experience any signs of illness while the property is being on the market.
Tip #4. Turn on all the lights and open all the doors before each showing. Sanitize all surfaces that may be touched during a showing, after the showing is complete. Our team provides booties, gloves, masks, and sanitizing stations for each seller we represent. If your Realtor hasn’t done that please go out and buy these easily accessible items yourself and put a sign on your front door requesting that they use these items during the showing of your home.
Tip #5. Work with your Realtor to navigate any unforeseen changes or delays that come as a result of COVID-19. We’ve personally seen COVID-19 delay many closings with new underwriting restrictions for buyers that were previously non-existent. Be careful that Seller and Buyer negotiate reasonable settlement and possession times so that no party is pushed into a corner and has moving trucks showing up before settlement and closing have occurred. It’s stressful.
We’ve made this a completely virtual process to keep you safe.
Let’s move to the buyer side of the transaction.
Tip #1. Make sure you start the process by viewing a home virtually on the computer or your smartphone device. You can ask your agent to go and view the property while you’re on facetime or zoom so you can get a real-time tour while also being able to ask your agent questions in real-time. Some homes will have already completed video tours so check for those links.
Tip #2. Limit your in-person showings, and most certainly don’t go and see a property if you’ve been experiencing any signs of illness yourself, or in your household. Be sure that when you do visit a property that you wear a mask, bring your own latex gloves for touching surfaces, and bring sanitizer with you. With the Stern Team, we’ll have all of these for any showing, just ask if you haven’t brought your own.
Tip #3. Be sure that you have plenty of space, 6 feet, between you, the agent, or others in the home at all times. If you’re attending an open house, be sure that there are not more than 2 groups in the house before you enter. You can ask the Realtor host to text you when you are able to enter if you’re uncertain.
Tip #4. Work with your agent and your lender to submit offers and follow up documents through secure digital systems. In Utah, you’re legally allowed to sign your documents electronically using systems such as DocuSign or Dotloop. No worries, if you don’t have access to those, most Realtors will be able to give you access to theirs.
Tip #5. Same as the sellers, work with your Realtor to navigate unexpected changes during the transaction. Be sure to work closely with your trusted lender to ensure that you’re working within their timeframes needed to close successfully. COVID has changed many aspects of the lending process. That coupled with overwhelmed underwrites in the local mortgage industry can mean delays. Be sure you’re setting reasonable expectations for closing and reasonable expectations for taking possession of a property, especially if it’s occupied.
Thanks for taking the time to watch this video. If you’re interested in learning more about The Stern Team’s Safe Selling System and The Stern Team’s Virtual Buyer Program, please give us a call or send us an email. We’ve made this a completely virtual process to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe.
