Selling in a Pandemic:

Real Estate transactions - like basically everything else - are harder during a global pandemic. Technology and good-old-fashioned creativity are helping agents, buyers, and sellers abide by COVID-19 health and safety practices while still allowing homeowners to achieve their real estate goals. Selling a home right now requires a bit of a different approach, a little extra work (a lot of extra cleaning) - and I wanted to highlight some of the things you should be prepared for:

Safe Showing Guidelines.

Limiting showings when you are trying to sell your home could dramatically impact your ability to sell. However, allowing showings in an occupied home could easily expose residents to the risk of COVID-19. So what do you do?

First of all, make sure your listing agent is doing everything he/she can to maximize online exposure for your property. A solid listing description and high-quality photos that accurately depict your property will attract a high number of qualified buyers. Video home tours, and virtual (on demand) showings can also be helpful to limit the number of people who enter your home.

When showings do take place, it’s best to assume that every buyer that visits the property COULD BE infected with COVID-19. Take every precaution - as prescribed by global, federal, state and local governments and health organizations - to protect yourself, your family, and others in the public from infection.

Such precautions include, but are not limited to:

• Do NOT allow showings of your property if someone occupying the property has tested positive for COVID-19, exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, or has been in close contact with a person diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19.

• ALWAYS wear masks while in the presence of others at your property.

• Maintain six feet of distance between you and others that visit your property at all times.

• Turn on all lights and open all bedroom doors and open some cabinet and closet doors to minimize items the buyer or buyer broker may need to touch.

• Leave specific instructions for buyers including, but not limited to:

  • Wear masks and gloves at all times

  • Wash hands when first arriving and again when leaving the property

  • Do not touch anything in the property

• Assume that every buyer that visits your property has NOT complied with any instructions to mask, sanitize and avoid touching surfaces. Thoroughly sanitize and disinfect the property upon reentry and prior to any additional showings.

Home Inspections and Appraisals.

Home Inspectors and Appraisers are essential workers here in Colorado - and have been allowed to conduct their services even at the height of the pandemic. New temporary rules from the Federal Housing Finance Authority are, in some cases, allowing drive-by and desktop appraisals for loans backed by the federal government. In these cases, the appraiser comes up with a home estimate based on tax records, multiple listing service (MLS) information, and an examination of the home's exterior.

However, many lenders still require in-person appraisals, and almost all buyers will require a home inspection by a certified expert - and, you should be prepared for these professionals to enter your property. When a home inspector and/or appraiser comes to your home, they should strictly adhere to all CDC guidelines, but it is recommended that you sanitize and disinfect after these services are completed.

Creative Closings.

Traditional closings, where everybody gathered around a big table to sign the final papers may be a thing of the past. Title companies and banks are getting super creative as they work to provide safer, socially-distanced solutions for their clients.

Here in the state of Colorado, Governor Jared Polis has issued a temporary executive order authorizing remote online notarization policies (the end date continues to get extended, see the latest date here). These allow a notary and signer in different locations to sign electronic document, usually by use of video apps like Zoom or FaceTime, so you can eliminate one more human touch point in the process. What I have seen in most cases is the notary comes to a location of your choosing (instead of going to the title company’s office) and the sellers sign separate from the buyers - it works seamlessly.

I’m Here for You.

The real estate industry is creatively and safely responding to COVID-19, coming up with new solutions as the situation continues to change and evolve. I will work with you to tailor a sales plan that makes you feel comfortable with the amount of exposure your property is getting. We’ll leverage online marketing tools, my network of agents, and partner in a fashion that achieves the best possible outcome for you.

- Chris Hawksley | Realtor, Broker Associate -