Ask Phyllis!

Selling A Home During COVID

Dear Phyllis,

We were going to put our La Crescenta home on the market in May. But because of COVID we delayed. We still want to sell and were hoping that things would die down sooner. As seniors, we are very concerned about our health.  How do you advise your clients to go about selling a home during COVID?  Jim

Dear Jim,

It couldn’t be a more opportune time for you to sell your La Crescenta home. Housing supply in La Crescenta is extremely scarce. You are wise to take additional precautions when having strangers in your home. 

Selling a home during COVID is very different and additional procedures are followed. Generally, a lockbox is not used, and the listing agent accompanies each showing. It’s likely your Realtor® will spritz sanitizer on each party as they enter the home. Closets and doors will often be open to minimize touching any surfaces.

An interesting aspect of selling a home during COVID is that your real estate agent’s goal is to minimize showings.  Prior to setting appointments most real estate agents will ask for a lender’s prequalification letter. 

Often showings are scheduled in blocks of time in half hour intervals. For instance, showings might begin Friday at 10 AM, with the next showing at 10:30 AM, etc.  Depending on how desirable your home is, you might have as little as four hours of showings on two or three different days.

Many sellers are paying even more attention to preparing their home for sale. To minimize exposure, you want as few showings as possible. Homes in move in condition are highly sought after – more so than usual. Home Buyers are eager to buy, but at these record breaking prices they are rightfully concerned with future high-ticket repairs and improvements After their down payment many buyers don’t have the funds remaining for updates. Unless you want to grossly underprice your home, your wisest course of action is to discuss with your real estate agent which improvements are going to give you the best return on the money and time invested. 

Harb & Co. have listed and sold many homes for sellers just like you in the last few months and we are committed to keeping our clients safe during this uncertain time.

  Phyllis Harb