Even in the middle of a pandemic, people are moving, which means property sales are still going strong. If you need to get your house ready to list, you may be concerned about how long it will take to sell your home or how the process has changed because of COVID-19. While things may look different for some time, you can find selling success with a few modifications to promote social distancing. These helpful tips cover every stage of selling your home to keep you and your family safe.
Before You Begin
Get your house picture perfect by taking care of minor repairs and maintenance before you sign with a seller’s agent. Areas to focus on include painting inside and out, replacing any dated hardware with new knobs and drawer pulls, cleaning thoroughly, and paring down of clutter, photographs, and knick-knacks.
You may want to have a pre-listing inspection to see if there are any major problems, such as plumbing issues or a new roof, to take care of without the added stress of a contract falling through. Don’t forget about curb appeal by sprucing up landscaping!
While You Wait
Most agents agree that house showings are limited to serious buyers as the pandemic continues, so what you lack in frequent visitors, you should make up for in virtual showings.
Online house tours, either pre-recorded or as live events through a social media platform, can give potential buyers a chance to see your home in pristine condition and ask questions. This is not the year for open houses, but with more virtual marketing, you may find that interest in your property is still high.
When an agent does want to show your home in-person, consider offering showing kits that contain gloves, hand sanitizer, and a disposable mask to ensure people entering your space follow safety precautions.
You may want to skip the freshly baked cookies that some buyers swear by. Instead, turn on lights around the house so that no one has to touch any switches. Be sure to sanitize high-touch areas, such as light switches and doorknobs, after every showing.
Close to Closing
Once you have an offer, consider the final steps until you sign the papers and hand over the keys. Some buyers opt for a virtual appraisal to limit interaction inside the home. Technology for document signing has also increased; as long as both parties are comfortable with a remote closing, you should not have to worry about any legal problems by signing electronically.
With less contact, the home selling process can hit a few snags along the way. Expect delays and try to be flexible with dates to accommodate everyone’s needs.
Do you have more questions about selling your home during this difficult time? Contact the team at EXP Realty. With six locations to serve you in and around Las Vegas, we can help you with your property sale and take away some of the stress with knowledge of the best real estate practices in light of COVID-19 and a commitment to the wellbeing of your family.
