Shopping for a home can be nerve-racking in the best of times. But as coronavirus cases skyrocket across the country, the thought of possibly being infected while visiting houses may have you more than a little worried. Here’s how to protect yourself during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tips for staying safe from the coronavirus
- Try to avoid open houses when you are shopping for a home during the coronavirus pandemic. See if your agent can arrange for virtual open houses, using technology such as Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
- If you want to see a home in person, ask your agent to arrange an individual showing. Make sure the homeowner is not showing symptoms associated with coronavirus, has not been exposed to the disease and has not recently traveled internationally.
- Ride to showings separately from your agent.
- Wear booties over your shoes as you walk through houses.
- While in a home, maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people.
- Avoid touching surfaces within the homes you visit. Wash your hands thoroughly after you leave the house or use hand sanitizer.
- Whenever possible, meet with your agent or lawyer using Slack, Zoom, Skype or FaceTime.
Tips for keeping the homeowner safe
- Don’t attend open houses or showings if you have symptoms of coronavirus infection, have been exposed to the virus or have recently traveled internationally.
- Wash your hands before visiting a property. If you can’t wash them, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching surfaces in houses you visit. If you do, use disinfectant wipes to clean those surfaces.
Related – Selling a Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic
