Part Two: How To Purchase A Home Amidst A Pandemic

Re-locations, marriages, divorces, estates to be managed and any other number of crucial life events may make it necessary to buy a new home in the midst of a pandemic. Although you are encouraged to wait until the medical authorities have given us the green light to conduct regular real estate business again, you absolutely can buy a new home during a pandemic.

We are here to ensure that you find the home that you desire and that the buying process is painless and safe by following the procedures outlined below.

First, we encourage you to talk with a lender to get pre-qualified for financing. This helps you to know how much you can afford to spend on your new home.

It also keeps you from looking in the wrong price range and ending up disappointed if you find something that you really like but aren’t able to get.

Next, start thinking of what you want your new home to have. Provide us with a complete list of everything you would like.

So, What Do You Want In A Home?

Some things to consider are:

• the number of bedrooms & bathrooms
• size of the home
• size of the lot
• location
• school district
• do you need a garage and if so what size
• general price range, etc…

We will send you a package by email with all of the possible amenities and features you could want including locations and schools. All you will do is check the boxes, click send and your list will come to us to review. We will then set up an automated program that will send you every home that meets your criteria within minutes of it coming on the market.

After reviewing the listings that are sent to you and choosing the ones that are of the most interest, let us know your choices and we will set up a virtual tour that will include the information on the neighbourhood amenities and features.

NOTE: Due to Covid-19 pandemic, we may not be allowed to tour the homes in person. This is for the protection of you as well as the seller. This is why the virtual tour and getting as much information in advance is important.

When you choose a home to put an offer on, you will be making it based on the information you are provided as well as your own research of the area, location and other factors that are important to you.

We will then be making an offer conditional on personal inspection of the home and your ability to finance your purchase. A home inspection can also be done once your offer is accepted and you have your financing in place.

To inspect the home we will ask the seller to disinfect and wipe down all surfaces such as countertops, closet and cupboard doors & knobs, etc… shortly before we arrive for our tour. We will also request that all doors including closets and cupboards remain open and all lights on so it will be easy to view the home with a minimum of touch and contact. 

Can I Personally Go Look At Homes or Is It Only Virtual?

Only you and the agent will be in the home for the inspection. We will be required to wear a mask and gloves and if possible to disinfect our hands before entering the premises.

We will also remove our shoes before entering to be ensured of not tracking any contaminants into the seller’s home. Gloves and masks are to remain on throughout the tour and we will have minimal contact with doorknobs, handles, countertops or other surfaces. These procedures are meant to protect both the buyer and seller.

Additionally, all realtors and buyers will be required to sign a pre-written approved form verifying that they have not been out of the country within the previous 14 days or have a fever or any other symptoms nor have they been diagnosed with Covid-19 before inspecting the home. If you are denied the right to see the home under the circumstances above but require to see the home to complete the sale, you can cancel the transaction at your option.

Related – Part One – How To Sell Your Home Amidst A Pandemic

With the proper information and procedures, you can safely and most definitely sell or buy a home during this unprecedented time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Please feel free to contact me anytime with additional questions.