The COVID-19 pandemic has left many homeowners asking, “How do I sell my house during COVID-19”? Suddenly we’re all struggling to adjust to the ‘new normal’. That includes: following social distancing guidelines, constantly disinfecting surfaces, and even wearing face coverings.
While there are still many unknowns about the novel coronavirus disease, what we do know is that COVID-19 has dramatically impacted how the residential real estate industry works. Suddenly, industry-standard practices such as holding open houses can put buyers, sellers, and agents at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “limiting face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)” — something that’s tough to do when selling your house.
What If I Have To Sell During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
The best-case scenario for homeowners during the COVID-19 crisis is to not sell their home until the pandemic is over. But that’s not practical for many people. Nobody knows if, or when, a vaccine will be available, and that won’t cure the financial problems created by coronavirus.
If you need to sell your house during COVID-19, here are some tips to help keep yourself and your family safe:
Be Incredibly Flexible
Changes triggered by COVID-19 happen fast, and that means as a home seller you need to be incredibly flexible. Be ready to move quickly, adapt and change with the evolving situation.
Consider Virtual Showings
This pandemic has turned our world upside down. But at least we have technology that helps us stay more connected than ever before.
Consider offering virtual showings of your home using a video chat platform such as Zoom, FaceTime or Skype. You might also want to hire a professional to create a 3D walk-through of your house that potential buyers can view. It’s not quite the same as an in-person viewing, but it’s the next best thing.
Follow CDC Guidelines
The CDC has publicized a number of steps everyone can take to reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19. These guidelines should be followed if you have to host in-person showings of your home:
- Only allow scheduled showings to limit the number of people in your home at any one time
- No open houses that could lead to crowding
- Insist that everyone coming into your home, including Realtors and buyers, wear a face mask that fully covers their mouth and nose
- Don’t let anyone in who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 such as a fever or cough
- Consider supplying disposable gloves, shoe covers and hand sanitizer for visitors
- Thoroughly disinfect all surfaces potential buyers might touch, such as door handles, countertops and cabinets
- Be sure to get the contact info for every single person who enters your home. Public health officials need this to conduct contact tracing if someone who views your home tests positive for COVID-19
And if you decide to use an agent, ask them “How do I sell my house during COVID-19”? If they don’t provide you with a detailed list of measures they’ll take to keep you and your loved ones safe, look for a real estate agent who does.
What Is The Simplest Way To Sell Your House During COVID-19?
There’s no doubt about it — the coronavirus crisis has abruptly changed our world, and chances are good things won’t go back to ‘normal’ for a long time.
Whether you had already planning on selling before COVID-19 hit, or your circumstances have suddenly changed, selling your home doesn’t have to be hard. Connecting with a cash buyer is hands-down the simplest way to sell your house right now.
With a cash buyer, you don’t have to worry about showings and the exposure risks that come with bringing strangers into your home. That alone can be a huge relief. Especially if your family includes someone who is at a high risk of experiencing COVID-19 complications.
Selling your home for cash means you get your money fast, and that’s especially important if your financial situation has changed due to the pandemic.
Get A Free, No-Obligation Cash Offer From WeBuyHouse
If you’ve decided you want to sell your house during COVID-19, we can help make the process simple and stress-free. At WeBuyHouse, we pay cash for homes, saving you the hassles of having to hire a real estate agent. And better yet, we purchase houses as-is — even if repairs are needed. You won’t need to worry about staging your home, dealing with social distancing protocols, or paying a hefty commission. Drop us a line today at WeBuyHouse to find out what your home is really worth.
Dyan Zammataro | Sep 2, 2020
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