With social distancing and overall shutdowns continuing, home seller and buyers need to do some prep work now to make sure they are ready to move forward with showings and transaction closings. Watch these tips to make sure you are ready.

COVID-19 and businesses closings is having an effect on real estate transactions, especially if they are coming up to closing.

If you are a seller or buyer who is currently under contract, get in touch with your real estate agent, lender and settlement company to make sure they are set for closing. Make sure to ask that the deed will be able to be recorded in a timely manner if the courthouses close. E-recordings are available in some counties and settlement companies should be set up to file electronically.

For those who are still out looking or are active on the market, speak with your agent to find out about virtual tour walk-through capabilities. Agents are also having showings by appointment only to mitigate the number of people through the home and so they can control who is coming through the home.

If you are a seller, consider having your agent be the one two show the home and take precautions with sanitizer, gloves, etc. and have your agent be the one opening the doors, etc. so there is limited touches.

For buyers, ask your agent if there are virtual tours available on the homes you are interested in seeing and have your agent get in touch with the listing agent to find out about the protocols sellers have put in place for showing their homes. Each home will be different.

Make sure to stay safe during this time, and ask the right questions so you are on top of your transaction and the possibility of purchasing your new home, or selling your current one.

If you have any questions when it comes to buying or selling real estate in the Northern Virginia area, please get in touch with us.