COVID-19 – Tips to Stay Healthy
But what if you’re trying to buy or sell a home?
The world is dealing with uncertain times and turmoil and during these times it’s important to be aware of potential dangers and to protect your home and family but it’s also important to continue with plans and life in general as long as you are cautious and prepared.
If you are selling, especially, you will have to be more mindful about your selling practices and adapt to what the world is dealing with.
Our Province is doing a superb job keeping us all informed of what’s happening on our island and the affect this global pandemic is having on our everyday lives.
We have many people looking to buy or sell a home during this time, myself included, so, I thought it may be useful to write something from a Realtors® perspective. So, here are a few tips to guide you through the process of selling and what to expect as a buyer visiting homes during this challenging time.
OPEN HOUSES
Although a productive selling tool, not knowing who’s coming through your door, nor having the ability to monitor who is coming through your home makes this an unwise choice during this time. Consider the same of Agent Open Houses. Minimize the amount of people coming through your home and avoid Open Houses.
Serious buyers will make any necessary showing appointments with their agent.
ASK QUESTIONS
Remember: Your Home, Your Rules!
Don’t be afraid to ask any potential visitors to your home if they have recently travelled, especially air or sea travel. This is a basic question you should be asking anyone coming into your space during this time, whether you are selling or not.
LIMIT VISITORS
Often when showing homes buyers won’t come alone. They’ll bring their parents, grandparents, and Cousin Joey three-times removed to give the house a once over. Say no! Limit the viewing party to just those considering purchasing. Make this very clear to your agent and put all your instructions in writing. It’s your agents job to communicate this to any other Realtors® bringing buyers into your home and it’s that Realtors® responsibility to communicate your instructions to any buyers.
If people don’t understand, appreciate or adhere to these basic rules, you don’t want them in your house at this time – don’t be scared to say no! Genuine and sensible people will understand.
HAND SANITIZER
Have a bottle handy in your front foyer and ask people to use it.
BUYERS TOUCH STUFF!
Buyers don’t just look they touch.
They touch:-
- Door handles
- Cupboard doors
- Toilet flushers
- Taps
- Fridges
- Stoves
- Electrical Panels
- Handrails
- Light switches
Take a walk around your home and consider what you would touch if you were viewing a house and then use antiseptic wipes on all these areas BEFORE your showing and DIRECTLY AFTER your showing to eliminate as many germs as possible.
Life has to go on as best as we can make it, but it’s foolish to take unnecessary risks. The best advice we can be communicating is to USE CAUTION and BE SENSIBLE. If selling your home during this time is uncomfortable for you then don’t.
All tips aside, your home should be a place of safety and never at anytime should you feel pressured to open your door to a buyer.
If you have any questions about the market in general or if you have concerns about visiting homes or accepting visitors into you home during this time don’t hesitate to reach out at 902 394 7071, use the blue CONTACT button at the bottom of the screen or email me at hello@impresspei.com
It’s still a great time to sell and, with interest rates dropping, a great time to buy!
Photo Credit: Canva
This article is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently in contract with other members of the PEIREA. Using this article in full or part without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2019 Melanie Press Real Estate
Impress Island Realty is a Licensed Real Estate Brokerage and Broker Member of the PEI Real Estate Association (PEIREA). Logos are the property of Impress Island Realty and can not be copied or amended.