Corona virus - Safety first while meeting your needs
As we all deal with coronavirus and its impact on our communities, I wanted to reassure my clients that I am taking your health and safety seriously and am adhering to CDC guidelines, while continuing to help my clients with their real estate needs.
Despite what is going on in the world, I understand that my buyer and seller clients have various real estate needs right now — with some under contract or in the middle of a transaction, some currently with homes listed, some in the midst of serious house hunting, or some with intentions to buy or sell in the coming months.
No matter what stage you may be at – I am here to help you make the best decision for your circumstances.
I can’t emphasize this enough, we are in this together and I am taking whatever steps I can to help all of us – sellers, buyers and agents — stay healthy and safe during this time.
Keeping Us All Safe
The coronavirus situation is evolving daily and I am trying to stay abreast of any changes to the CDC guidelines and any government orders in the DMV area. I will keep you updated on how it could impact your real estate plans.
I have implemented my own new procedures to protect you and keep everyone as healthy and safe I as can so I can help my clients, whether they need to finalize upcoming transactions, want to begin a serious search for a home, or want to continue listing their home.
I am not meeting with clients at my offices, but I am working from home as best I can. I am doing video chats and If I do interact in person I will adhere to the physical distancing guideline of six feet.
My New Safety Procedures
I have undertaken some new procedures and guidelines which you can review below for your specific real estate needs:
Under Contract: For our existing clients that are under contract, I am doing everything I can to make sure that all parties have a contingency in place in case there needs to be a delay of settlement. At this point even with the restrictions in MD and DC Real Estate is still considered essential. If you need to do inspections I am working with several companies who have some creative ways to do the inspections while keeping everyone safe.
So far, delays have not needed to occur, as recording offices are open. This may change in the future, and to protect my clients, I am having written contingencies signed by all parties and also part of the contract.
Settlements: These must still occur in person but most settlement companies have asked for signatories only in the room and buyers and sellers coming at separate times. Although I always attend settlements and would love to be there with you, I can no longer be there in person. I will, however, attend via phone. There is talk about allowing closing documents to be signed and notarized electronically. I will keep you update on that info as it becomes available. As always we will review all of your settlement documents together prior to your settlement day to make sure you are knowledgeable and confident about what you are signing.
Settlements are done quickly, avoiding the usual pleasantries and conversations to get in and out as promptly as possible. Only one pen can be used per person, and it is wiped down and given to you rather than a jar of pens in the middle of the room.
Seller Clients: Adhering to social distancing guidelines for our seller interactions has proven challenging and I am evolving as things change. Currently, here is what to expect:
Through the month of April, I will only be listing vacant properties. I feel this is the the best way to protect your health. This policy could change and I may decide not to list any properties at all during the month of April but I will continue working with my current seller clients to make decisions that are best for everyone.
I will do 3-D videos of any listing to give buyers as much information as possible.
In lieu of public houses open houses, I will be offering virtual open houses. What does that mean? It means during your normal open house hours, I will be at the house ready to answer FaceTime or Zoom calls with any buyer who is interested in touring the home.
As usual, buyers can come with their agents anytime by appointment only.
Signs will be placed at each property requesting that no one touch anything in the home. To support that effort, I will go to the property before showings to turn on lights and open things like closet doors. I will ask visitors to remove their shows upon entering the home. I will also have disposable gloves at each property and request that they be put on during the showing. There will also be a bottle of hand sanitizer at each property. This procedure is in place since there may be times that someone touches something accidentally or needs to touch something that we didn’t expect. We can’t control 100% of everything and we are ensuring that there is another level of protection in each home. I will then return after the showing to turn off lights, and wipe down surfaces like door knobs, hand rails etc.
I also request that no client or customer with known virus symptoms in their household come inside the property for the showing.
I am willing to offer video streaming tours or have a virtual appointment for any interested buyers who cannot attend in person.
Buyer Clients: Adhering to physical distancing guidelines for my buyer interactions has proven challenging and as with listings I will adapt as things evolve. Currently, here is what to expect:
Unfortunately, we can no longer drive together to showings. We will meet at properties instead and drive ourselves separately to each appointment.
I am requesting that only clients who must move within the next 30-60 days engage in showings, and that the properties only be true contenders that we see. I am also asking that decision makers only attend showings, no family friends or family members who are not signing the contract. Feel free to do face time or Zoom with others you want to “ “view” the home.
I will be social distancing and stay 6 feet apart during the showing. This feels odd, but it’s for the best.
Because of low supplies and the uncertainty of its availability at times, I ask you please bring your own hand sanitizer. Of course, you can use ours if you do not have any, but I am trying to have ours last since I am out and about more than most.
I will be wearing latex-free gloves to all showings and bring you a pair to wear as well.
I will have Clorox wipes with us at all times.
As usual, I will only show to our buyer clients who are pre-approved.
If you like a home you’ve seen online and don’t want to go out, I can FaceTime you from the home myself. We’ve done this for years for clients living out of the area.
I often leave my client showings with hugs or handshakes. Right now, I am doing jazz hand waving only from six feet back.
As I stated earlier I working from home and in lieu of meetings that normally would be held in person, such as new buyer initial consultations and new seller appointments, I will now “meet” via Zoom instead of in person.
Again, this is an evolving situation and likely will change. Now more than ever, I hope you stay healthy, and safe, and I thank you for understanding our current policies. This benefits everyone as I meet your real estate needs.
Please never hesitate to reach out to me with your questions or concerns at any time.