Coronavirus Update: Safety First with Your Real Estate Needs

Photo by Drew Coffman on Unsplash

March 24, 2020 -- As we all deal with coronavirus and its impact on our communities, I wanted to reassure my clients that I am taking your health and safety seriously and am adhering to CDC guidelines, while continuing to help clients with their real estate needs. 

Despite what is going on in the world right now, I understand that my buyer and seller clients have various real estate needs right now -- with some under contract or in the middle of a transaction, some currently with homes listed, some in the midst of serious house hunting, or some with intentions to buy or sell in the coming months.

No matter what stage you are in – I am here to help you make the best decision for your circumstances.

And I can’t emphasize this enough — we are in this together and are taking steps to make sure all of us – sellers, buyers and agents -- stay healthy and safe during this time, especially for those who will continue to move forward with their plans to buy and/or sell.

Keeping Us All Safe

The coronavirus situation is evolving daily and I will stay abreast of any changes to the CDC guidelines and any government orders in the DMV area.  I will keep you updated on how it could impact your real estate plans.

I have implemented my own new procedures to protect you and keep everyone healthy and safe so that I can still help my clients, whether they need to finalize upcoming transactions, want to begin a serious search for a home, or want to continue listing their home.

We now have technology that makes navigating the real estate world much easier than it would have been even a few years ago.

Our New Safety Procedures

I have undertaken some new procedures and guidelines which you can review below for your specific real estate needs:

Under Contract: For my existing clients that are under contract, I am doing everything I can to make sure that all parties have a contingency in place in case there needs to be a delay of settlement. 

So far, delays have not needed to occur, as recording offices are open.  This may change in the future, and to protect our clients, I am having written contingencies signed by all parties and including these written contingencies as part of every contract. 

Settlements: These must still occur in person but settlement companies have asked for signatories only in the room.  Although I always attend settlements and would love to be there with you, I can no longer be there in person.  I will, however, attend via phone. 

And, as usual, I will review all of your settlement documents together over the phone prior to your settlement day to make sure you are knowledgeable and confident about what you are signing. 

The settlement offices now have strict new guidelines for settlements, which include each person being required to sanitize their hands upon entering the room.  No paper checks are being provided, wire deposits only. 

Settlements are done quickly, avoiding the usual pleasantries and conversations to get in and out as promptly as possible.  Only one pen can be used per person, and it is wiped down and given to you rather than a jar of pens in the middle of the room. 

Seller Clients: Adhering to social distancing guidelines for my seller interactions has proven challenging and things are continuing to evolve.  Currently, here is what to expect:

·      I am working with my current seller clients to make decisions that are best for everyone.  Deciding whether to list your home right now needs to be personally decided and I can walk you through all of the changes and considerations that will need to be made in order to sell in our new environment.

·      In addition to the professional photos that are always included for my sellers I will be paying for a video walk through tour. This will enable buyers who are unable to come to the home to feel like they are actually walking through it. It will also enable potential buyers to get a better idea of whether your home will really work for them so that only those who are serious are viewing your property.

·      As usual, buyers can come with their agents anytime by appointment only. I will not be holding open houses during the month of April. I feel that this is the most responsible decision that I can make at this time. I will reassess over the coming weeks and will update you as this plan evolves.

·      Signs will be placed at each property requesting that no one touch anything in the home.  To support that effort, we are asking sellers to leave lights on and keep things like closet doors open. 

·      There will also be a bottle of hand sanitizer at each property. This procedure is in place since there may be times that someone touches something accidentally or needs to touch something that we didn’t expect. I can’t control 100% of everything and I want to ensure that there is another level of protection in each home.

·      I am also requesting that no client or customer with known virus symptoms in their household come inside the property for the showing. 

Buyer Clients:  Adhering to social distancing guidelines for met buyer interactions has proven challenging and these are evolving as well.  Currently, here is what to expect:

·      Unfortunately, I am not showing property in person through the month of April. I have an immunocompromised family member and we have been advised to remain at our home. I have been in this business a long time and through my connections and the generosity of others have been able to arrange opportunities for my clients to still view homes. If there is a property you would like to see please contact me and we will discuss the best way for you to gain access.

·      I am requesting that only clients who must move within the next 30-60 days engage in showings, and that the properties only be true contenders. I am also asking that decision makers only attend showings, no family friends or family members who are not signing the contract.

·      When attending a showing, please be mindful of social distancing and stay 6 feet apart.  This feels odd, but it’s for the best.

·      Please bring hand-sanitizer and use it before and after touching anything in the home.

·      As usual, I will only show buyer clients who are fully pre-approved.

·      If you like a home you’ve seen online and don’t want to go out, I can arrange a Facetime tour.  I’ve done this for years for clients living out of the area.

In lieu of  meetings that normally would be held in person, such as new buyer initial consultations and new seller appointments, we will now “meet” via Zoom instead of in person.  Again, I have done this for years for our out of town clients and these work just as well as meeting in person. 

Again, this is an evolving situation and likely will change.  Now more than ever, I hope you stay healthy, stay safe, and I thank you for understanding my current policies. This benefits everyone as I continue to meet your real estate needs. 

Please never hesitate to reach out to me with your questions or concerns at any time.