If you're staying home, like so much of the country is right now, to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, chances are you've been giving some thought to how to stay in a positive mindset.
Self-care, exercise, eating healthy-these are all things most of us are probably giving more thought to these days than we may have previously.
And staying positive is just as important if you were, or are, planning on buying or selling a house this spring. COVID-19 may have thrown you for a loop, but homes are absolutely still being bought and sold-you just have to be willing to adapt.
Here's what you can do as a buyer or seller to stay positive and prep for the real estate market post-COVID-19.
Buyers
If you're planning on buying a home, the first step is to make sure real estate is classified as an essential business in your state.
In many places, real estate agents are still busy helping people find their dream homes. What's more, low interest rates are still making this a good time to buy, especially for those looking for their first home.
The biggest adaptation you'll have to make as a buyer will most likely be doing a lot more research online, rather than scoping out houses in person. Touring a house during coronavirus generally involves tools like pre-recorded virtual home tours or tours over videoconferencing.
While most sellers are still allowing in-person showings, it's highly likely that those will be limited to serious buyers only. You may also want to ask your agent about "preliminary showings," which involve driving by the home for a look at the neighborhood, street, and exterior of the home before going any further.
Sellers
If you're planning on selling your home soon, here are a few selling tips to consider while the coronavirus crisis is ongoing.
First, if you're sheltering in place or under a stay at home order, now could be a great time to tackle some of those smaller home improvement projects you've been thinking about. Painting the interior, enhancing your home's curb appeal, decluttering and deep cleaning-these are all high-ROI projects that will improve your home's chances of selling.
It's also important to find a great agent who can help guide you through the different way things are being done right now. They can help make sure you have the photos, video tours, and other virtual tools needed to capture buyers' attention online.
Finally, the most important thing is to be safe and protect yours and others' health. If you do have an interested buyer who'd like to do an in-person showing, talk with your agent about things like disinfecting the home, reducing the need for buyers to touch things by opening all doors and turning on all lights before the showing, and whether buyers should wear masks, gloves, and/or booties.
Whether or not you're planning on buying and selling during the COVID-19 pandemic or after, these tips will help you achieve your goal.
For more on COVID-19 and real estate, check out HomeLight's Top Agent Insights Survey from Q2.
