Tools, Tips & Resources for Selling a Home in The Age of COVID-19

While selling a home during a pandemic may feel challenging and risky, it really doesn’t have to be. There are steps you can take to ensure your home stands out to potential buyers, all while keeping your family protected and healthy. From cleaning tips to virtual selling tools, here are the essential tips you need to sell your home in 2020.

Start By Doing The Right Research

Before you begin staging your property it may be a good idea to check out local listings, so you can see what sort of staging strategies other sellers are using in your area. For instance, Redfin shows Grand Rapids is highly competitive, with average homes going pending in just 6 days, and hot homes in half that time. You can study up to identify trends in your neighborhood.

In addition to looking at real estate listings, check into the most current COVID-19 restrictions in your state and city. This will help you determine how your home can be shown to potential buyers. Of course, you could keep things simple by working with an experienced realtor like Smallegan Real Estate from the start. An agent can provide you with all of the information above and so much more, all of which can make selling your home simpler.

 Take Special Care When Cleaning

When you’re trying to make a good impression on home shoppers, cleaning is crucial. Any clutter, dust or grime inside your home will only take away from the more positive features, even during virtual showings. This is why giving your home a good deep cleaning is important when you are trying to sell it. Plan out your deep cleaning and work your way from room to room, and from top to bottom in each room. Be sure to wipe down all of those easy-to-miss spots too, including light fixtures, baseboards and corners.

If you need to pick up cleaning supplies before you begin, know that you can always shop online rather than risking a trip to the store. Another option for getting your hands on the cleaners you need is to make them on your own, using everyday ingredients. As an added bonus, DIY cleaners are much safer for your family.

Have The Right Plans & Supplies for Showings

Depending on where you live, potential buyers may be able to view your home in-person. It’s always advisable for homeowners to avoid being at home during these showings but keeping your distance is even more important right now. Now this can be tricky if you have kids or pets but there are some safe ways you can get everyone out of the home for a bit.

As long as local restrictions allow it, you can always plan some outdoor fun for your family. Before you leave, you will also want to make sure your home is stocked with essential safety and cleaning supplies. Disposable masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are all good to have for showings.

Take Advantage of Virtual Real Estate Tools

Even if in-person showings are possible in your area, you may not want to take the risk of inviting other people into your home. That’s understandable given the current situation with coronavirus, and this is why so many people are turning to online real estate tools to sell or buy homes. Since March, USA Today reports more homes have been sold online than ever before and video conferencing services, 3D mapping tools and virtual walkthroughs have made this possible. You can check out these tools on your own or you can ask your realtor about selling your home virtually. You will still need to clean, prep and stage your home before you put these tools to work. But this can be a much more convenient and safer option for showing your home.

Despite the ongoing pandemic people are still buying homes. So you may not want to wait to list your home and start showing it to potential buyers. Just keep the staging, selling and safety tips above in mind to keep your family protected. Also work with a reliable and experienced realtor from the start, so you don’t have to worry about doing this all on your own.

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