Showing Homes in a COVID-19 World
I just closed on a darling little home in Oakland’s Dimond District. While we had grand plans for painting, staging and preparing the home, we found ourselves in the midst of a serious pandemic where a shelter in place orders went into effect before any of that could be done. Despite the current extraordinary circumstances, that great home received multiple offers and ultimately closed, all during shelter in place.
Wait….People are still buying and selling homes?
You bet! While the overall number of transactions has decreased quite a bit, there are still many buyers and sellers eager to find each other. Real estate has been deemed an essential service and it’s possible to do the bulk of a transaction online these days, even before COVID-19 became a part of our lexicon.
But what does a Shelter In Place transaction actually look like?
The current shelter in place orders as interpreted by the Alameda County Health Department allow for virtual showings of property and in the event a virtual showing is not feasible an agent and up to two other people may go view a home together, while following some pretty strict protocols.
Now what does “Not Feasible” really mean? There isn’t any further guidance from on high for that but I believe that if you have exhausted all other viewing forms and are still unable to investigate a home to the level you feel is necessary, then an in person showing may be warranted.
So here are the bullet points of shelter in place showing guidelines
Open Houses can only take place virtually
Buyers interested in a property should review all available materials before scheduling any additional showings
Showings can only be done for vacant homes
I may conduct a virtual showing for buyers where I will walk-through the property while on a video conferencing platform (Zoom, Hangouts, FaceTime, etc.)
If a virtual showing does not suffice, we can request an appointment time with the listing agent, complete a PEAD waiver and await the seller’s permission to allow an in-person showing
Each seller can ultimately determine what restrictions they want in place for allowing access to their homes. It is not unusual for sellers to request proof of funds, signed off disclosure forms, and sometimes even a purchase contract before allowing a showing
In person showings are limited to two people who share a household per appointment
Anyone who enters a home must observe current PPE guidelines, minimize their interaction with surfaces (doorknobs, light switches, etc.) and sanitize their hands frequently.
As with everything else right now, guidelines can change rapidly and best practices are always being updated. If you’re interested in looking for a home right now, I’m happy to help you navigate the ever-changing process.
Is it time for you to move? Call me to set up a strategy session today, 415-706-1586