Tips to Keep your Property Showings Safe

The safety of your clients and potential clients is always top of mind when showing properties, but it is especially important during a pandemic. Working in an industry where showing properties is vital to business, you are facing unique challenges. However, there are ways to show properties while keeping yourself and your clients safe.  

Below are some tips to keep in mind when preparing to show properties.

• Stay on top of changes. While it may seem like an endless task to keep up with guidelines, it is critically important to protect the well-being of your employees and clients. Create email or text alerts for major changes that may affect your business.
• Check local and state executive orders to confirm permissibility and other requirements.
• Encourage clients to narrow their search through photos and virtual tours to lower the number of in-person showings.
• Postpone showings in highly affected areas when possible. The CDC recommends limiting unnecessary contact as much as possible, and this may mean putting a pause on open houses and property showings in areas with a high rate of cases. In areas where face-to-face showings are allowed, follow recommended masking and social-distancing guidelines. 
• Utilize technology for an alternative to face-to-face showings. Technology is adding safety to the customer experience. There are many video options that create a unique viewing experience, including 3D video, aerial footage, and virtual tours of the neighborhood. Just as meetings, happy hours, and family visits have gone virtual, property showings can too. Consider scheduling a Zoom or FaceTime meeting to show listings.
• For face-to-face showings, send your clients a friendly reminder with the most current guidelines prior to their scheduled appointment time.
• Ask your clients to remain in their vehicle before you arrive to the property for an in-person showing.
• Avoid shaking hands with clients.
• Limit the number of people who attend the showing if possible.
• Sanitize the lockbox before and after removing the key.
• Request that the current homeowner or tenant turn on lights and open cabinets, closets, and blinds prior to leaving the property to reduce the number of surfaces touched.
• Add extra safety precautions such as disinfectant wipes and spray at the doorway. Clients can disinfect upon arrival, and you can wipe down any surfaces before and after they touch them.
• After the showing, debrief outside the property when possible.
• Avoid providing any paper documentation at the showing. Instead, thank the client electronically and use the opportunity to provide any additional information needed.

The days of driving to countless properties with your clients have changed significantly. The new way of showing properties may take some time to get used to, but it will evolve into a new norm. Being mindful of different comfort levels, current safety guidance, and technology is vital in maintaining business in an ever-changing environment. Remember, it is still possible to achieve the goal of staying safe and keeping your business running during trying circumstances.

This article is a general list of suggestions on how to safely show properties post-COVID-19. This list is not exhaustive. Additionally, it is necessary to comply with all federal, state, and local guidelines as well as any applicable brand standards.

Sources: 

https://magazine.realtor/for-brokers/network/article/2020/07/4-tips-for-navigating-property-showings-during-the-pandemic

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/tips-for-showing-rental-property-during-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.html

https://www.nar.realtor/transaction-guidance-during-covid-19