Navigate the Home-Buying Process in Spite of COVID-19 with Simple Tips

by Michael Haikal Real Estate 08/17/2020

Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels

According to the National Association of Realtors, year-to-year increases in home sales have remained steady in spite of apparent dips in March 2020 due to COVID-19. This one fact goes to show that the proverbial show must go on when it comes to people buying a home. If you were on a home search before the coronavirus was declared a pandemic, or even if you started searching after, there is no reason to stop your search efforts. Yes, social distancing still remains an important aspect of preventing the spread of the virus. However, as a homebuyer, shopping and staying socially distant are perfectly doable. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind. 

Keep communication on-point & personal with video conference calls to agents & sellers.

Your real estate agent or realtor is your go-to person throughout the buying process. The average buyer will have multiple meetings with this professional as they get together to lay out details of wants and look at potential properties. Even though socially distancing yourself from your realtor may mean a lack of in-person meetings, it doesn't mean you should ever lose touch. Whether it is keeping in touch via phone or video conferencing, these interactions are vital to you having the most opportunities as a buyer. 

Take advantage of on-demand house shows with live chat functions.

House shows don't have to mean taking a chance and going to a place where there are other people in close proximity. Thanks to modern technology, a home showing is something that can be accomplished entirely remotely. Many real estate companies and sellers are now holding on-demand house showings that include live chat functions. This means you can reach out about a property you are interested in seeing, get a live virtual tour and ask any questions you have in the process. Of course, if you decide at that point that the home is a serious prospect, it is best to arrange for an in-person showing while keeping the general social distancing rules in mind.

Go to lenders using the latest technology & encouraging social distancing.

While shopping for a home, you will likely also be shopping for a mortgage, which would normally mean paying a visit to multiple lenders in your area to see what offers you get. Thankfully, the majority of modern lenders take advantage of online platforms on which the bulk of the application process can be handled online. If you have a lender in mind that doesn't offer an online platform for applying for a mortgage, reach out to them to see if they can do something over the phone or via email. 

You Can Find a Home in Spite of COVID-19 

Yes, COVID-19 has changed the way we interact but you can still search for and find a home you'll love—the steps may just look a bit different than usual. Talk to your real estate agent for more local guidance and tips as you navigate through your homebuying journey.

About the Author
Author

Michael Haikal Real Estate

Hi, I'm Michael Haikal and I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.