HOME SELLING TIPS DURING COVID

SAFE SELLING: TIPS AND REMINDERS WHEN SELLING YOUR PROPERTY 

The pandemic, as we all know it, shook the whole world when we least expected it. And with this, open-houses were immediately stopped. Since then, homeowners have had a hard time deciding whether to push through selling their properties amidst the pandemic, but there are still plenty of families who are planning to move as well. With the demand being strong despite the situation, the supply is not as much. Listing at a time like this would not be such a bad idea after all. 

LIST EARLY 

It is never too late to prepare your home to sell if you already have made a final decision about selling your property. We are experiencing low inventory and it is defiantly a sellers’ market. Also, interest rates are still low, perfect for buyers to exploit.  

STAGE PERFECT 

 
Perfectly staging your home is the best way to entice buyers to close a deal. Highlighting the main areas of the house, such as the kitchen, living room, and master’s bedroom is guaranteed to reinforce your client’s decisions on purchasing the house. If the staging is well-presented, it could sell faster than expected and possibly be sold higher than having it just being vacant and empty. 

Real Estate agent doing house tour with the couple wearing face masks.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT AGENT  

After the staging phase, the place does not just sell itself. If you feel like having a tour alone does not justify all the hard work you put into remodeling the house, it is best to seek professional help. Face-to-face open houses were strictly prohibited ever since the pandemic. But that does not mean you cannot show your clients around the property they wish to inspect. Real estate agents have been stepping up their game in presenting open house tours, offering virtual tours to interested buyers. Choosing the right real estate agent to showcase your home is critical as they would become the “voice of the house,” convincing the clients to purchase it. 

Now more than ever proper marketing is essential. Your agent should provide photography, videography, a copy of the floor plans, and be able to target buyers who are spending a majority of their time online. This will include Facebook videos, Instagram lives, and even open houses conducted online.  

SANITATION AND SAFETY  

Do note that when selling, buyers are now very particular about the sanitation of the house. If face-to-face open house tours are to be conducted, with permission from the government, CAR, and health sectors, agents should use alcohol and gloves when touring around the house. Your agent is responsible for providing a sanitation station, signs that remind guests to not touch things, and having guests sign paperwork saying that they do not have COVID-related signs. Social distancing measures have to be practiced as well. 

OPTIONS FOR TOURS 

 
As mentioned, buyers have been particularly considering safety measures and protocols in choosing the right home for them. You should be able to propose options to showcase the house at its finest while keeping you and the buyer safe from possible virus transmission. Since virtual open house tours are on demand nowadays, you should be ready to have that option for your clients if they request one. Face-to-face house tours, however, are hard to arrange since health and government officials.  

FINAL THOUGHTS 

Selling your house during a pandemic can be strenuous. You have to be hands-on in handling the transaction while looking out for your health. As a top producing agent with 20+ years of experience in the East Bay and with over 25+ transactions closed during the pandemic, I am able to assure my clients a safe journey throughout these stressful and unpredictable times. 

I have helped hundreds of clients showcase and maximize the sale of their homes in the Greater San Francisco Bay area and the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa. My experience as a former appraiser allows me to help my clients understand the market. If you have any questions, I am here to be a resource for you.