Tips for Virtual Home Shopping

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much of the way we’ve always lived up until now, home shopping included. With Stay at Home mandates throughout much of the country for the majority of the year, we all made necessary adjustments to our daily lives.

Rest assured, shopping for a home can still be done safely, within the health guidelines. Here are some tips for virtual home shopping, whether you’re right down the road, or moving across the country.

Start with a virtual tour.

Many sellers are making virtual home tours available for buyers. The technology for virtual has improved greatly in the last couple of years, from simple videos to 3-D tours with floor plans that help you feel what it is really like to walk through the rooms.

Schedule a FaceTime tour with your agent.

Sellers may be more comfortable allowing one agent to come in, to limit the overall number of people in their home. Your agent, masked and gloved, can take a video for you or FaceTime with you while they tour the home.

Be selective about the homes you choose to visit in-person.

If you are the type of buyer that likes to cast a wide net and see everything in your price range, you may have to change your methodology. Try to narrow down your list of homes online first and only visit your very top choices in-person.

Plan accordingly for live showings.

When you find a home you really must see in person, don’t bring anyone with you that isn’t vital to the decision-making process. Besides the fact that sellers probably don’t want a family of six parading around, with fewer distractions you can get a better look and eliminate the need to come back a second time. Take lots of pictures and measurements so you don’t miss anything.

Prioritize safety first when touring.

You want to safeguard your own health, and you want the sellers to appreciate that you consider theirs as well. Have your agent ask the sellers to open all the doors, cabinets, and closets so you don’t have to touch anything. Wear a mask and use hand sanitizer before and after you enter the home.

Despite the pandemic, the housing market has continued strong and shows plenty of opportunity to be one of the strongest ever for 2021. Most of the process can be handled online now, and what cannot be done digitally we are taking care of with your health and safety in mind.