This year continues to be one for the history books, life still must go on. People have had to figure out how to deal with the pandemic and many businesses have had to change their business practices. For example, real estate agents have had to make changes regarding how they help clients buy and sell property.

If you’re in a position where you have to sell your home, here are a few tips to get your house sold as quickly as possible during this pandemic.

1. Virtual tours

Real estate agents have had to think on their toes so they can get out there to sell houses. One of these changes is that they’re stepping away from in-person showings and are relying on virtual tours and virtual open houses. The virtual tours reduce how many people walk through your home and the agent can record the tour and post it to the listing’s web page which potential buyer’s can view, too.

2. Cleanliness

A key aspect of selling your home is keeping it as clean and welcoming as possible so you can attract buyers. Go through your house and pick up any clutter. Sweep the cobwebs from the corners and reorganize your cabinets. You don’t have to scrub your house from top to bottom every day, but you should clean as you go and thoroughly clean the home whenever a potential buyer wants to see your property.

3. Repairs

You know that hole in the wall that you’ve been meaning to repair but haven’t yet? Now is the time to do it. Just like cleaning, you are going to want to make any repairs that you can. If you have larger tasks that are outside of your skill set, you may want to consider hiring a contractor or consider lowering the asking price to compensate for the repairs. Just ask your real estate agent for their opinion before taking action. 

4. PPE

When you finally get a buyer who is serious about making an offer on your house, they’re going to want to come and check it out in person. That means you are going to want to have personal protective equipment on hand. This includes gloves, disposable face masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and perhaps even shoe coverings. Even though the agent and the buyer may bring their own PPE, these small considerations will make a good impression on the client. 

5. Communication

All throughout this pandemic, real estate agents are staying informed about the pandemic, the restrictions and updates about the market. Your agent is going to be a great source of information and will keep you abreast of new developments. In order to get your home sold, your agent is going touch base with you to fill you in on what they learn. 

Yet, you cannot let your agent be the only one to keep in touch. You don’t have to call them every day, but send periodic emails or text messages to keep them up to date about various things. You should reach out to them whenever you make any big repairs so they can update the listing’s information. You should definitely reach out to them if you or someone in the household contracts the virus!

Although COVID-19 has up-ended life as we know it, real estate agents who have participated in HomeLight’s Q3 Survey, 99% of them say it’s a seller’s market. That means it’s only a matter of time before your house is sold! Follow these tips so you can stay prepared for when any potential buyers show real interest in your property!