Many families have found themselves putting their moving plans on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no preparing for this, and many homeowners now feel like they’ve been left in limbo.
Should you still sell your house, despite the pandemic? Can you even sell? It’s a frustrating situation for many homeowners, and many have made peace with having to put their plans on hold for the foreseeable future.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to do that. In fact, remotely touring and selling your home isn’t just possible; it’s happening right now. Porch-side closings are becoming more common, and some folks don’t even set foot into their new house until a contract has been signed.
If you’re interested in selling your house during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can. That said, there are a few things you need to be aware of and precautions you need to take. On top of that, there are a few things you can do to get your house in front of buyers and, subsequently, offers in your inbox.
Staging
Staging is more important than ever. Since many potential buyers will likely only see photos of your home, or go on a virtual tour, you must make sure that your home looks inviting.
Virtual staging is also an option. With the right software, you can completely change the look and feel of a space, without changing anything in your actual home.
Virtual and Individual Tours
Are you worried that you can’t get people in to view or see inside your house? With virtual and individual tours, you don’t have to. In fact, several realtors are now using this to give prospective buyers no-contact looks at a house.
There are a few different types of virtual tours as well. If you’re no longer living in the house, your realtor can do virtual showings via camera or Facebook. Others use 3D camera technology to create a ‘set’ of the interior, so to speak, much like Google street view. Users can then virtually tour the place on their own.
If a prospective buyer insists on seeing the house in-person, that’s possible as well. Individual inspections can be done without the family in the house.
The Good, Bad, and Ugly
One interesting side-effect of this process is that many realtors now have no option but to show the good, the bad, and the ugly. Before the pandemic, many agents would do their best to hide anything that might come over negative. Now, however, you get to see everything – from creaky closets to dank basements, nothing is hidden.
The best part? These homes still sell! In fact, according to the sell your house in poor condition blog post by ISoldMyHouse.com, selling your home as-is can even help you close a deal faster.
The Right Price
Unlike many other markets, the real estate market has remained mostly stable. This is because supply and demand didn’t shift in favor of one or the other, but both declined at relatively the same time. That said, this is the time to keep your prices reasonable, and avoid over inflation.
Local Laws
While you still can’t have in-person showings in most places under quarantine, others do allow it – with certain limitations. Check your local laws and see what you can and can’t do.
You might be worried about telling people if there’s someone in the house that’s been diagnosed with COVID-19. According to a lawyer, the best option would simply be to disclose if someone has been infected.
Take Away
It’s not impossible to sell your house during the COVID-19 pandemic. You have many different options, and your realtor may even have a few ideas to help you sell. Remember, if a virtual tour is possible, go for it. It’s a great way to have a no-contact showing. Don’t be afraid to show every aspect of your house, and always practice full disclosure. Finally, remember to take your local laws into account.
Don’t be afraid to get creative. With just a little out-of-the-box thinking, you can still sell your house, despite the pandemic.