As the past week has shown us, our current “new normal” is unpredictable and rapidly changing. In an effort to quiet our clients’ anxiety I thought we would offer some convenient ways to continue your search for real estate, or if you are a seller outline how we can offer a high level of marketing that will still sell your home while adhering to safe social distancing practices.
As you are likely aware, Pismo Beach Homes has always been on the cutting edge of technology and while we already offered these to our out-of-town clients, we are actively advertising our virtual home showings. If you have a home that you would like to view in person but either you or the seller would like to limit exposure in their home, we are happy to Facetime or Video the home and share it with you via a cloud link. We come fully equipped to all properties with gloves, Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer – literally leaving the home cleaner than we found it. Facetime will allow you to ask questions while we are walking through and focus in on key areas of the home that are of higher importance to you.
Of course, our sellers can be reassured that we will continue to offer high-definition photography including aerials and twilights and stop-time video walk-throughs. All buyers will be screened to determine if they have recently travelled abroad. And visitors will be asked to refrain from any use of the bathroom or sink facilities during their brief visits. All surfaces that are handled will be wiped clean, and all visitors wearing gloves including agents.
Finally, while open houses may not adhere to your local county requirements, if you are allowed to hold them then they can be done safely (with seller consent). Limit the number of guests through at one time. Have a lender associate host with you and provide hand sanitizer for all visitors at the door, as well as gloves. The realtor associate is then free to lead visitors through with Clorox wipes for surfaces that might be touched (i.e. opening closet or cupboard doors or outside accesses). Booties are already provided if worried about shoes and what they might bring in.
We are also directing sellers who are experiencing any kind of impact on their income to reach out to their mortgage providers sooner rather than later – and ask what can be done during this unpredictable time. Many are offering deferred payments without penalty.
Without belaboring what has already been said on every major news channel, please observe the following guidelines from the CDC:
The CDC urges individuals to take these measures to protect themselves and others:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Practice social distancing by staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
- Stay home if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other cold or flu-like symptom.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
Personally, navigating the news and advisories has been tricky, with a Type 1 diabetic at home, two parents who fall into the “at-risk” age category and a 7th grader in need of education at home. We support our clients, friends and family as they make their own difficult decisions on how to handle this threat. We are here for you during this time as the market continues to favor both sellers at peak prices and buyers at all-time low-interest rates. If you need our help outside of the real estate world we are also available – let us know how we might help you, such as picking up pharmacy or grocery items or any other task in our region. We can connect you with a wide variety of services or assist ourselves. We look forward to seeing you in person soon – and wish you prayers for both mental and physical health in this time of conflicting news and homeschooling!