Real estate has definitely been affected by the covid virus although it is  very encouraging to see some sales. The buyer definitely has an advantage in this market with selection of inventory, low interest rates, and favourable prices however this pandemic has triggered realtors to think outside of the box on how we can service sellers and buyers in the current market.

In any real estate market, there will always be seller’s needing to sell and buyer’s needing to buy. 

 

Protocol for the seller:

Some systems that I am offering are:

-Virtual market evaluations, FaceTime and zoom meetings explaining contracts

-Digital signatures for contracts

-Digital listing presentations and staging guides

-3D Dollhouse tours including layouts, rooms dimensions and unlimited professional photography.

-CREA has put forth the use of virtual open houses that we can attach to our mls listings.

-a notice put on seller’s doors outlining showing instuctions related to covid-19

 

I do have a lot of senior clients and some of them do not feel comfortable with technology. In this case, I usually have phone meetings with clients. I will drop off the contracts prior and go over the contract via phone and then pick up the contract. 

 

With regards to showings:

-In order to limit contact with items within a seller’s house which we are calling “ touchless showings”we are asking seller’s to leave all lights on, doors, closet doors open.

-sanitizing any surface that is touched with Lysol wipes 

-Of course maintaining the 2m social distancing rule

 

Protocol for the buyer with regards to showings:

-We are asking that the buyer not touch anything in the house 

-We are asking the buyer and buyer’s agent to sanitize their hands before, during and after each showing. 

-Maintaining the 2m social distancing rule

 

Our protocols have changed to adhere to Alberta health services standards.

The seller and the buyer are both having to fill out “hold harmless” documents and questionnaires about their health pertaining to symptoms that may be covid related.

If a seller or buyer is symptomatic we ask either party to reschedule their showing for 14 days later.