Buying and Selling During COVID-19

With COVID-19 being a global pandemic right now, it’s important that we practice social isolation so that our friends and families can stay safe. However, there are still people who need to buy and sell homes at this time. There is nothing prohibiting the practice of real estate in Alberta (I will update this post with changes if needed) but the industry has drastically changed over the past week or so. We are still working with clients, but have implemented some changes to our day-to-day business. We need to take certain pre-cautions to ensure that buyers are not at risk and sellers can protect their home.

Here are some precautions for sellers to implement:

• Leave all doors open and lights on
• Makes sure to sanitize all door handles, cupboards and railings once you return (if you do not have lysol wipes bleach or vinegar are some alternatives
• Ask your Realtor to send a message to the showing agent to not close doors or turn off lights and ask their buyers not to touch anything necessary (kitchen cupboard interior can be checked during the home inspection if the buyers are truly interested in the property)
• If possible, have gloves and hand sanitizer available for buyers coming to view property
• Keep a garbage by the entrance for buyers to throw gloves in
• If you are feeling ill or have a cough, make sure to let your realtor know and decline all showings until you have recovered

Precautions for Buyers:

• Don’t touch anything when in the property. Looking in kitchen cupboards can be done during the home inspection if you are truly interested
• Don’t turn off lights
• Don’t use the washroom or sit on furniture
• Use sanitizer after leaving each property
• Don’t view homes if you are feeling ill or experiencing a cough
• Don’t go out viewing homes unless you’re absolutely ready to buy today. If you’re just looking to look you’re putting yourself, the sellers, and your realtor in jeopardy

Everyone’s safety is our number one priority. If you don’t need to sell right now and you can hold off, you probably should. If you can’t afford your mortgage payments, contact your lender and see what you can arrange – some lenders will defer your payments.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I’d be happy to answer them as best as I can!

COLE PORTER | 𝐑𝐄/𝐌𝐀𝐗 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭

📱403-992-5445

⌨️ cole@coleporter.ca

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