The rules of buying and selling real estate have changed due to the COVID pandemic. The FOCUS on NoVA Real Estate team brings you through the new rules of open houses and showings for properties.
Northern Virginia’s real estate market is moving, though not in the traditional sense. Sellers are still putting homes on the market, and buyers are still out there looking and making offers.
In the Northern Virginia area, there are more than 3,700 active properties, 513 of which were just listed as either active or coming soon in the last week. But the rules have changed for now and we are here to explain the new field of showing homes.
Technology has taken over when it comes to open houses and showings. If you are looking to buy, ask your real estate agent to direct you towards the virtual tours, video and 3D Matterport tours that are available for listings so you can take a peak inside before you even step foot into the home. Also find out if the listing agent is holding a Facebook Live, YouTube Live or Zoom open house so you can log on and see a virtual tour in real time and ask any questions of the agent to get immediate answers.
Sellers, make sure you are speaking with your real estate agent to get your property set up virtually so all of these options are there for you and your potential buyers.
If you’ve found a home that you are interested in seeing in person, there is more homework you need to do prior to an actual showing:
- Have your pre-approval letter ready to show prior to a showing so the seller knows you are capable of purchasing the home should you want to put an offer in.
- Do your own research by looking into the neighborhood and community. Check the commute routes to your job or school. Drive by the home to see the exterior, land and neighboring homes.
- Be ready to answer some questions about your recent travel history, health and the health of those around you. Sellers and agents want to make sure that those who are coming into their home are not posing a risk to them and their family.
If you have any questions about Northern Virginia real estate, reach out as we are happy to help.
