Let’s call it “business as (un)usual”.
Starting today, Florida will officially be under a stay-at-home order. Like other states with similar restrictions, we’ll be able to get out for essential activities such as grocery shopping and the like. But otherwise, we’ll be homebound, in efforts to flatten the curve.
What does that mean for real estate?
Residential real estate is considered an essential business in Florida. So real estate agents, like us, are able to continue working to help home buyers and sellers. And while business will carry on, it will be anything but “usual”. And that’s OK.
We plan on continuing to serve customers, safely and responsibly. To do that, we’ll adhere to one simple guideline:
Maximize the use of virtual tools wherever, whenever and however possible.
For example:
- Listing presentations can be done via phone, video meetings (FaceTime, Hangouts, Messenger…no Zoom for the time being) and online file transfer/presentations
- We strive to provide 360º virtual walk-throughs of all of our listings, so prospective buyers can tour the home safely online
- Take advantage of virtual open houses via Facebook Live and other streaming tools
- When necessary and appropriate, schedule in person showings, but while practicing social distancing, asking potential buyers to wear booties and masks, and wiping down doorknobs and surfaces with disinfecting wipes before and after showings
- Doing video walk-throughs of homes where the potential buyers is not physically present, but able to tour the home in real time with us using FaceTime, Google Hangouts, etc.
- Use digital signing services for documents, such as DocuSign, FormSimplicity, etc.
- Take advantage of remote closing services and virtual notaries
- Have escrow funds wired, instead of passing along paper checks
- Anything else that will reduce physical contact, improve social distancing and help flatten the curve
These are unique times for all of us. And while we all want to continue to do business, and help people buy and sell homes, health and safety have to be our top priorities. So, if you have to relocate for a job, or there’s another compelling circumstance that’s forcing you to move right now, we’re here to help.
But, if you don’t absolutely need to buy or sell a home right now, we have one word of advice…
Wait.
If you can, we think we’ll all be better off in the long run.
Leave a Reply