Even during the COVID-19 outbreak, Arizona real estate transactions go on. Buyers and sellers still need to move, and the industry is looking for new ways to accommodate both the needs of the transaction and, of course, the safety of everyone.
Many traditional real estate activities can be performed virtually, including initial showings. Buyers can minimize the number of homes they physically visit by pre-screening these homes ahead of time through virtual tours, reading pertinent documents thoroughly, and assessing photos on the MLS. In doing this, buyers will be able to narrow down the amount of homes they visit as they shop around.
Once a buyer is under contract on a property, there are a few vital pieces of the transaction that require in-person visits from professionals. Among these are home inspectors and appraisers. Both of these vendors need access to the property to properly perform their duties. While everyone should cautiously move forward according to their personal sense of comfort, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and the professionals while they are in your home.
Before setting the appointments, think through the parts of your home
the inspector or appraiser will need to access and think through the process. Contact the home inspector and appraiser and work out a plan together to keep everyone safe:
• Communicate with them about off-limit areas, and what parts of the home they can access.
• Offer hand sanitizer and wipes for them to use before and after touching parts of the home.
• Finally, leave the home during the appointments, and clean properly once you return home.
For this essential industry, we press forward! If you are trying to buy or sell a home during this challenging time, the process may be a little different than in the past. However, working with your real estate team, you can conclude a successful real estate transaction in this “new normal” process.