Buyer Protocol for House Showings During Pandemic

House hunting during a pandemic? We get that the timing of your house purchase may not always be convenient.  Here’s our protocol for buyers to keep everyone safe and do our part to help #FlattenTheCurve.

Steps to buying a house in a World Pandemic

1. Complete a “fully underwritten” pre-approval process with a lender (Call us if you need some recommendations!) or obtain proof of liquid cash funds.
   • Most sellers/listing agents are requiring a pre-approval letter or proof of liquid cash funds prior to scheduling an in-person showing of a home.
2. View all virtual listing tools such as:
   • 3-D virtual tour.
   • Video.
   • Live stream virtual open house.
   • Photo slideshow.
   • Floor plan sketch.
   • Map.
3. Do a drive-by of the property, and tour the neighborhood and nearby community amenities.
4. Now call us to schedule an in-person showing. We will bring:
   • Gloves, hand sanitizer, and booties for you. We are asking that buyer clients please wear masks for in-person showings. We will be wearing masks too. Many people have sewn their own masks, or make an easy mask out of a cotton t-shirt and a paper towel. (See our HouseLovePDX Instagram account for a photo of Kari sporting that snazzy option!)
   • We are following the national mandates of no more than two people in the home at one time, and maintaining the social distance requirements of no less than six feet apart.
5. Be prepared to write an offer “subject to interior inspection.”
   • That means you write an offer first, then go see the house in person when/if your offer is accepted. This practice has become more common for owner-occupied homes especially with at-risk or medically fragile owners.
6. Offer accepted? Hurray! Here’s what to expect:
   • Expect your home inspection “wrap-up” to be done via technology. Most home inspectors will only inspect homes alone. They will generally FaceTime with you to discuss the findings of the inspection. We can make arrangements to get you in the home after the inspection so you can do a walk-through of the home with the findings in mind.
   • Expect there to be hurdles and delays. Lending guidelines are changing rapidly, which may mean some bobbing and weaving. Humor, flexibility and empathy all are important in this market to make it to closing!
   • Expect a LOT of Zoom calls with Erika and/or Kari! It really helps to see people’s faces – even on a screen.
7. Closing!! Watch this video to see how we’re getting keys to buyers these days:
   

   View this post on Instagram

   Still finding HouseLove even in a pandemic. Here’s some joyful NoPo key throwing for our first time home buyer Kath!! This market isn’t for everyone, but if you can swing it like Kath, it’s the first buyer leverage market we’ve had in a really really long time! Truly our favorite part of this job! #keythrowing #houselovepdx #karianderika #portlandrealestate #portlandrealtor #bestportlandrealtor #livingroomrealty #firsttimehomebuyers #firsthome #houselove

   A post shared by HouseLovePDX (@houselovepdx) on Apr 3, 2020 at 4:55pm PDT