Safety Tips for Home Showings

Home showings are an important part of the home selling process. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there are even more safety precautions to take before potential homebuyers come to look at your home. Here are some general safety tips to follows when you show your home and a few tips to keep you and buyers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Avoid an Open House

During this time, it may be best to avoid an open house to eliminate the spread of the virus with too many people in one location. Open houses also put your valuables at risk or create a safety concern that open house-goers will look around to come back later. Have a conversation with your agent about not wanting to have an open house and instead, be willing to schedule as many private showings as possible.

Have Your Agent Meet with Prospective Buyers Before Hosting a Showing

If you are concerned about showings and whether it is unsafe for you and your family, have your agent meet with prospective buyers first outside of your home in a neutral setting. This may end up being more work for your agent but will put safety first.

When you do end up having home showings, make sure that the prospective buyer is qualified before showing your home. You do not want people to come to see your home during a pandemic because they are just being nosy or curious as to what your home looks like on the inside. You only want buyers who are serious about buying a home.

How to Find Qualified Buyers? There are several ways to screen buyers. You can have your agent screen them by asking buyers to do a virtual tour before an in-person showing or have your agent request a pre-approval letter before scheduling a showing.

Contactless Showings

In regard to Covid-19 concerns, you may want to request that your real estate agent sets up your home for contactless showings. To do this, your agent might open all the doors and cabinets and turn on all the lights so that potential buyers do not need to touch anything.

As the current homeowner, you can do your part to make sure the home is safe for everyone involved. Clean diligently and make sure that all high-touch areas are wiped down frequently. After showings, make sure to sanitize all surfaces to protect yourself against all infectious diseases including Covid-19.

Put Valuables Away

There are certain items that you may not want to have on display during showings. Valuables and certain electronics should be put away before anyone new comes into your home. Prescription medications, mail, and bills are also items that should not be on display.

Smart Home Technology

While your home is on the market, you may consider adding some extra safety and security features to your home. This can also make your home more appealing to buyers. At a minimum, use a smart lockbox because it gives you more control over who comes in and out of your home.

During this unprecedented time, you need to make the best and safest decisions when it comes to home showings. Only do what you are comfortable with and talk to your agent about the best way to show your home while also keeping you and your family safe.

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