How to Buy and Sell Real Estate During Coronavirus (Covid-19)

/
How Covid-19 Has Affected Real Estate

Real Estate Guidelines During Covid-19

As people across Washington follow Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order” and practice social distancing, the guidelines for how you can buy or sell a home have changed.

Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order

With Governor Inslee issuing a statewide “Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order”, the way you buy and sell real estate will be changing.

The Governor’s directive balances housing needs with the over-riding importance of protecting public health through staying home and social distancing.

Accordingly, the new protocols limit personal interactions to the greatest extent possible along with in-person engagements.

  • In-person activities must be by appointment only;

  • No more than two people, including the broker, maybe at the property at any one time;

  • and those two persons must strictly follow social CDC distancing guidelines by remaining at least six feet apart at all times.

Real estate brokers, who strictly follow the above protocols are permitted to engage in the following in-person activities related to the purchase and sale of homes:

  • Conduct listing presentations, take property photos, and create virtual tours for new listings;

  • Facilitate the signing of contract documents;

  • Facilitate inspections, appraisals, buyer “walk-throughs,” and key delivery.

All other real estate brokerage services will be limited to services that the broker can provide from the broker’s home.

There are risks associated with leaving the safety of your home and viewing homes for sale, as well as having prospective buyers enter your home. Buyers and sellers must be attentive to and abide by the mandates and guidelines from public health officials and work with their real estate broker to make informed decisions about listing, selling, and purchasing real property.

Brokers will exercise their best judgment under the circumstances to provide advice regarding all aspects of the current real estate market.

Updated information about COVID-19 is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website (www.cdc.gov) and from the Washington State Department of Health’s website (www.coronavirus.wa.gov). If you have specific questions about health concerns related to COVID-19, you should consult with a health professional.