Looking to Buy a Home During Coronavirus? Here Are a Few Helpful Tips
Monday, May 4, 2020
If you have dreams of buying a new home in the LA area, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered to help make your dream a reality, even during coronavirus. Buying a home now might look different than at other times of the year, but you can still find the home of your dreams. Here are a few useful tips to keep in mind as you continue, or begin your search toward buying a home during coronavirus.
Know what you want
During Covid-19 your initial experience of your dream home will likely be virtual. That makes it even more important to have a clear picture of the home that you want, so that you can search for it, and then go after it. Do you want a yard for your dog or kids to play in? What about a chef-ready kitchen? Knowing these “must -haves” will save you time on searching, and help you to find your home faster.
Go virtual
Your big question may be, how to tour a house during coronavirus? In a March 2020 poll from HomeLight, nearly 20% of agents working with buyers said they are seeing an increase in requests for virtual showings, as more people are working from home and engaging in all of their social activities virtually. Seeing a home virtually may mean that you aren’t physically in the home, but you can still ask questions as if it were a live showing. Research the home in advance and request a one-on-one showing if possible to have the most in-depth tour possible.
Ask for digital documentation
In addition to the virtual showing, it’s not uncommon for buyers to request documentation about their potential new home, just as they would during a live showing. It’s reasonable to ask for evidence of inspection reports, warranties, damage reports, renovations, or anything else as advised by your agent — the only difference is that these items are likely to be digital during coronavirus.
Safety first
Once you find that perfect home on a virtual tour, you’ll want to request a showing to make sure that you have chemistry with that home in-person.To protect your health, and that of your family, you’ll want to follow the CDC and WHO’s Covid-19-related recommendations: stay six feet away from other people (do not ride in the car with your agent); don’t touch your face; wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer; and cover your mouth with your elbow when you sneeze or cough. Be aware that sellers might ask you to take additional steps or precautions like wearing a mask, or using hand sanitizer when entering their home.
If you’ve already started to look for that perfect home and it is taking longer than usual, don’t panic, and if you have just started, keep an open mind about your timeline if you can. While we are living in unusual times, the dream of buying a home doesn’t have to wait.
