How to Sell Your Home During the Corona Virus, COVID-19 Pandemic

During these unsettling times, home sellers and buyers are concerned about staying healthy and virus-free, as we all are. To keep all parties safe, new procedures should be considered regarding showing houses during these times. Local LIST WITH ELIZABETH® real estate agents have been ahead of the game in implementing many safety procedures, as well as leveraging their ability to use technology in a way most agents can’t or wouldn’t know how to start.

Northern Virginia REALTOR Elizabeth Ann Kline leads one of the top real estate teams at RE/MAX 100 in Springfield, VA and reports that they are getting offers and selling homes where the buyers have not physically been in the home itself, and potential buyers are basing their decision on the virtual tours, high tech media and videos found online at her website ListWithElizabeth.com.

Agents on the LIST WITH ELIZABETH® team have been able to offer their clients full 3D Virtual Tours, Custom Guided Home Video Tours, professionally produced LIVE Facebook and LIVE YouTube open house broadcasts, as well as the standard High Definition pictures of each home they have for sale.

The real estate industry makes up 17% of the nations economy, and real estate is considered an essential service in Virginia. Some states and jurisdictions have suspended open houses like Washington, DC, and other states have not addressed the subject as of yet. So Elizabeth and her team are doing their part in keeping the industry and the local economy moving forward, while still making sure to keep everyone safe during the process.

Explore what a 3D Virtual Tour Is Above!

In the spirit of stepping up to do what is necessary, the following suggestions should be considered:

• Buyers should view the pictures online first to see if the home meets their needs. Most listing agents upload enough pictures to get a good idea of what a home looks like. Unfortunately, not every listing agent is offering 3D tours, videos and online live tours to their selling clients.
• Buyers should ask their agent questions that the photos don’t address. Then, their agent can go through the listing agent to ask the seller directly.
• It may be possible for the agent or owner to do a FaceTime walk-through which would allow the buyers to ask questions and direct the agent or owner where to point the camera.
• When possible, buyers can make an appointment to see the home through their agent. They should meet the agent at the home in their own car. No children should attend showings.
• Recommended safe distances should be maintained between the owners and listing agent, if present, the buyers and their agent.
• Transfer is almost inevitable, and all precautions should be taken. Buyers should carry their own sanitizing wipes and or gloves and avoid unnecessarily touching surfaces. Allow their agent to open doors and cabinets and turn on all the lights.
• Gloves and wipes should be disposed of in a trash bag in their car after they exit the home.

Elizabeth noted that she stopped hosting in-person open houses in February out of an abundance of caution, and began to rely more on their technology, something her company has been investing heavily in over the past few years. "It was an easy transition for us," she stated "we've been pushing technology for several years and when the industry had to pivot to meet the changes the Pandemic brought on, we were already positioned for it and ready. It felt very natural and our clients were really happy with the results we could achieve online." Elizabeth also explained that for a home seller and a buyer even the final step of closing can now be achieved online through technology.

Elizabeth credited Ken Crowley, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX 100 & RE/MAX Realty Group (which is licensed in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia) as being on top of the twists and turns the Pandemic created early on in the local real estate industry. "Ken stepped up and is leading RE/MAX 100 & RE/MAX Realty Group through a very uncertain and strange time, yet he consistently provides myself and our agents with updated legal news, direction and safety recommendations which allows us to continue focusing on our clients and selling our homes. I couldn't be happier to have our LIST WITH ELIZABETH team working under the RE/MAX 100 banner with Ken," she added.

RE/MAX 100 has taken further steps to protect the safety and the liability of both their agents and their clients by making sure potential home buyers have been screened by their agents with a COVID-19 Questionnaire before given permission to enter and tour a company listing in person.

Agents such as Elizabeth Ann Kline uses custom “HGTV” style guided video tours of her listings to both entertain her viewers and inform her buyers.

The social distancing and isolation could present some buying opportunities due to a lack of competition. At the same time, the lack of inventory in many markets, such as Northern Virginia, could keep prices high. Overall, home prices nationwide are stable and, in many cases, continuing to rise which makes it a far less volatile alternative to investing in the stock market.

With mortgage rates being at historic lows, there will probably never be a cheaper time to finance a home.

If you want to discuss selling or buying a home in the Northern Virginia or Washington, DC area, you can reach out to Elizabeth Ann Kline online at ListWithElizabeth.com or give her a call at 703-829-LIST.

Please stay safe; wash your hands; practice social distancing and follow all the guidelines necessary to promote good health. We’re all in this together!