Under the recentcity and statewide"stay-at-home" orders, real estatehas been deemed an "essential service," thus making it exempt. Even though real estate is considered essential, with buyers and sellers still in need our services right now, it is not exactly business as usual. Real estate agents are finding creative ways to best serve their clients while keeping everyone as safe as possible, and a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors found that nearly 1 in 4 home sellers have changed how their home is viewed on the market due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Home buyers are changing how they tour homes as well. Scheduled home showings are down, but that doesn't mean that buyers are leaving the market. Many are opting to domore online viewing before scheduling showings for the homes they are most serious about.
Buyers and sellers in the market right now need the support of the entire industry, from real estate agents to inspectors, lenders, appraisers, and closers. We are all doing our part to make the experience seamless, keeping safety top of mind.
HOW WE'VE ALTERED HOW WE DO BUSINESS
At Live Urban, we have implemented several new policies and recommendations for our agents so that they can perform their essential real estate duties to their clients while following CDC guildelines. Our offices have been closed since March 12, while our Realtors continue to learn and work from home. They are using technology to meet with their clients and bring homes to their buyers since it's become more complicated to bring buyers to the homes. Open houses have gone online as well, with a whole new page on our website dedicated to rich visual tours of our homes for sale. When buyers are ready to see a home in person, our agents are asking them to make childcare arrangements and drive separately, giving them six feet of space while touring homes, carrying sanitizer for use before and after showings, and using gloves or tissues to open doors. Buyers in at-risk groups are encouraged to pause their home search for now.
TITLE COMPANIES
Title companies have seriously changed how they receive funds and process closings during the last few weeks. The days of a room full of happy buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders all in close proximity and sharing pens for home closings have been put on hold. Title companies are asking that all earnest funds be wired instead of dropped off at their offices, with buyers being advised to avoid wire fraud by following recommendedWire Fraud guidelines. Title companies are offering several options for closings these days, from mail-out paperwork to separate closings in sanitized rooms where participants are asked to keep the pen. Some are even offering drive-up closings.
BUILDERS
Many local builders are closing their sales offices and moving to showings by appointment only, asking parties to limit the amount of people attendingto decision makers only. They are following social distancing guidelines and deep cleaning their model homes regularly.
INSPECTORS
Home inspectors generally take photos of any issues in the home and include them in their comprehensive reports that are given to the buyer. Because of this, it may not be necessary for the buyer or agent to be at the inspection. If there are others present during inspection, they are expected to remain six feet away and avoid handshakes. Online payments are preferred during this time for inspectors that have an online processing option.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Many of our professional photography partners are offering new virtual tour options to better showcase the home online. Most are asking that agents and homeowners refrain from being in the home during the photoshoot, suggesting instead that sellers take a walk or spend time in the yard during the indoor shoot. They are further requesting that sellers clean the property before the shoot, open interior doors and blinds, turn lights on, and make sure it is photo ready so there is minimal contact neededby the photographer.
With clients still in need of our services, we are all doing our part to get through this safely together!
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