COVID-19 has had profound impacts, touching nearly every part of life—including real estate transactions. For homeowners and sellers, trying to sell homes during the coronavirus pandemic can present some new challenges. Knowing how to navigate these challenges can be the key to successfully selling a home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

So, if you have or will be putting your home on the market while the coronavirus pandemic rages on, use these helpful tips to:

• Stay safe and prevent the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
• Stand apart from the competition and appeal to potential buyers.
• Give yourself the best chances of successfully selling your home.

How to Sell a Home in the Age of COVID-19: 6 Essential Tips

The latest reports indicate that sellers are increasingly reluctant to list their homes, with inventories across Texas—and the U.S.—dropping substantially. While that has created some waves for sellers in the Texas real estate market, so too have social distancing guidelines and real fears regarding exposure to the virus.

Considering these and other factors, here’s how sellers can adapt and still get out in front of potential buyers.

1. Post several pictures, 3D views & video tours online.

Many buyers will be doing lots of online research, especially considering the extra time they may have with stay-at-home orders. Take advantage of this by providing as much visual content for your home as possible. This includes (and is not limited to):

• Photos
• Video tours
• Floor plans

Cautious buyers will likely only visit their top choices. If they can’t see what a house has to offer from the get-go, buyers will more than likely move on to options that do provide images and tours online.

2. Determine whether, when and/or how you will show your home.

Know what you are comfortable with when it comes to your showing strategy, and communicate that upfront so prospective buyers know what to expect. Many sellers are finding it helpful to:

• Offer virtual tours
• Set specific showing times, limiting the number of people who can enter the home at a given time
• Only show homes by appointment to serious buyers

3. Present your house in its best condition.

Clean your home before any showing so it looks its best. This can include (and is not limited to):

• Maintaining landscaping: Curb appeal still matters during the COVID-19 pandemic, so don’t neglect your landscape. Keep the grass trimmed, the lawn tidy, and the overall look as attractive as possible.
  
  
• Keeping the interior tidy: This was important before the coronavirus, and it’s still true during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to keeping your home clean, you may want to consider taking down family pictures, so it’s easier for prospective buyers to picture themselves in the home.
   
• Making any major repairs needed: The coronavirus has seriously stressed many homeowners’ financial situations. For some, that’s meant having to forego or put off some home repairs. If you can afford to repair broken features or systems in your home, do it before you put your home on the market. It could be just one more thing that sets your home apart from others.

4. Price your home competitively.

Be realistic when it comes to pricing and consider adding some extra incentives to the terms of the deal, if needed. That could include (but is not limited to):

• More flexible closing dates
• Covering the closing costs
• Throwing in furniture as part of the deal

5. Use online resources.

Video conferencing, e-signing, and e-closing resources all mean that almost everything outside of the in-person home showing can happen online. That can prevent any delays, keep deals moving forward, and keep everyone safe in the process.

6. Work with an experienced Realtor® when you’re ready to put your home on the market.

An experienced Realtor® at New Home Gurus can guide you through the process of selling your home, doing everything from reviewing offers and negotiating terms to facilitating the closing process. We are proud to work closely with home sellers, supporting and guiding them as we help them sell their homes.

Plus, after closing, we give split our commission with our clients, meaning that home sellers who work with us can expect to get back an average of $4,500 to $12,000.

How Much Cash Can You Get After Selling Your Home?

Call (281) 668-8124 to Find Out Now

Our new home gurus are standing by, ready to answer your questions and explain the details of our commission-sharing program.