By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

Like most industries, the real estate business and its agents have had to adapt quickly to changes resulting from COVID-19. Changes include limiting the number of people at a showing of a house for sale and the elimination of most “looky loos” – those whose only reason to get inside a house for sale is to satisfy their own curiosity.

Crescenta Valley real estate agent Phyllis Harb of Harb & Co. works with Dilbeck Real Estate. She has been selling property for decades and has kept up with the industry’s rapid changes.

“One day we can’t show any houses, even if they’re vacant,” Harb said. “A week later vacant houses and occupied houses can be shown.” 

The California Assn. of Realtors – CAR – stated that there can no longer be any open houses – a longtime staple of the industry ¬– and that residential viewings must occur virtually. This means that agents must video a home, then post it on their website – something that a few did prior to the outbreak but is now mandatory – then hope to attract potential buyers.

Getting inside a house for sale is only possible by appointment for those who are prequalified to purchase it or have submitted a contingent offer. If those requirements are met and an appointment is given, no more than two people can join the agent inside the property. When viewing a house for sale, visitors must observe the now-standard six-foot social distancing rules in addition to being outfitted with gloves, booties and a face covering.

Owner-occupied houses must be vacated by the owner during the showing; however, renters cannot be displaced by a landlord for a showing.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty,” said Harb. “Especially in the beginning [of the pandemic] Realtors were very hesitant about showing homes.”

For established Realtors, like Harb, the challenges can be daunting and new real estate agents, like Paul Dutton of Keller Williams – La Cañada, have to be creative in getting a slice of the real estate pie.

While Dutton is not new to the Crescenta Valley – he is a leader in CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and former owner of Paul’s Pro Window Washing – he is new to the real estate industry having launched his business in January. He is still working at building his portfolio – a task that is harder now with the many restrictions in place – but he remains optimistic.

“[Home] sale volume is down 50% in the southland compared to May last year,” he said, “but down only 8% in the Crescenta Valley. We’re still seeing strong [home] pricing but a reduction in the number of people interested in either buying or selling.”

To keep his name in the minds of potential buyers and sellers, Dutton regularly makes “care calls” – telephoning friends and acquaintances to make sure they’re doing well during these unsettling times.

“I don’t even mention real estate unless the person I called brings it up,” Dutton said. “It’s much more difficult for the new guy but it’s important to make connections now to maintain and establish relationships.”

Harb added that it is important that agents be well-versed in the new requirements. For example, CAR has released nine new forms regarding presenting property during the COVID-19 pandemic and sends out regular updates on how to conduct real estate business in California.

“To garner clients they’ll have to be very good agents,” she said of those entering the industry, “resourceful and problem-solvers.”

Dutton added that while these new regulations can scare off some buyers and sellers, not everyone is taking their property off the market.

“Some people are freaked out by this but others are willing to work with the new restrictions.” he said of COVID-19. “It’s a tough market but people are still selling and buying.”

  robin goldsworthy