Showing Homes During the Coronavirus Age: Together We Will Make This Work and Sell Your Home!

Selling your home looks a lot different than it did pre-coronavirus and it will probably stay that way for the foreseeable future. At 828 Real Estate, we’re adapting the way we’re helping buyers find homes and sellers market their properties in a new world of real estate. If you don’t feel comfortable letting people in and out of your house regularly, technology can replace traditional methods of home showing. 828 Real Estate is here to work with you, giving buyers a realistic walk-through of your home while drastically reducing the occurrence of physical showings.

What to do if you Must Show Your House In-Person:

828 Real Estate will pre-vet Buyers before they visit the home with methods such as:

  • Ensuring the house and neighborhood are a fit for the buyers before they enter your home. We provide potential buyers with maps, surveys, and neighborhood photos to make sure the home is a solid match.
  • Using virtual tours to help a buyer determine layout and measurements of certain rooms (upon request) for the buyer to determine whether their furniture fits in the rooms.
  • If the buyer is extremely interested – in many cases not only pre-qualified but also pre-approved or with cash- 828 Real Estate will work with the client to ensure safety for everyone showing your house during coronavirus, by;
    • Preparing the home to show with limited touching. We will have doors open, lights on, etc.
    • Having everyone sign a Coronavirus Certification
    • Limiting the number of people who enter.  No kids and only the primary parties – 1-2 at a time.
    • Requiring hygienic precautions with gloves, masks, booties and hand sanitizer before entering.
    • Cleaning and disinfecting before and after each showing.  Washing hands, using hand sanitizer and disinfecting any surface that gets touched before exiting.

How to Show Your Home Virtually During Coronavirus:

If you don’t want people in your home for showings, bring the showing to them virtually! To start, take high-quality video and photographs of your home. You can start by:

  • Deep clean and declutter:  Remove items from countertops, saving only a few decorative pieces.
  • Maximize floor space by removing extra furnishings like baskets of stuff, toy-boxes, blanket bins, etc.
  • Add colorful throw pillows, green plants, fresh flowers in vases, pretty bowls of real fruit.

Our professional home staging tips are a valuable resource for preparing your home for a successful showing or photography session.

You may take your own listing photos, if desired.  A few helpful tips:

  • Use a tripod, if you have on, or you can get one on Amazon for $12.
  • Avoid reflections from doors, windows, shower doors, mirrors.
  • Turn on all lights and open blinds, taking shots when the sun is shining in.
  • Use props to show the scale of areas.  For example, deck furniture shows how big the deck is.
  • Take several pictures of each room from different angles and let your Realtor® choose the best.

You may take your own video Walkthrough. Tips for Success:

  • Set your phone to Airplane mode before videoing to eliminate incoming calls or texts.
  • Watch Realtor® videos for inspiration. View online tutorials, if needed.
  • Move your whole body when you move the camera to avoid a dizzying effect.
  • Plan your route, starting with outdoor curb appeal then entering the front door to video the inside.
  • FaceTime, Live video walkthroughs may be done with Q&A’s for Buyers ready to make an offer.

Once your photos and videos are on file with 828 Real Estate, we will use an online editor to enhance their quality so buyers can get the most from your photos! If you’re ready to get your High Country home on the market, we’re ready to help. Fill out our contact form below and we’ll be in touch with you very soon!

Listing: Contact Form

About the Author
I am a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, but I have been in North Carolina since1997 when I moved to Boone to attend Appalachian State University. I earned my degree in Theatre Education and Communications. While at ASU I met my husband, Matt Long, a Boone native and general contractor, and gained a heart for these mountains and my beloved ASU Mountaineers. After graduation, I spent 5 years teaching in Charlotte before being given the opportunity to move back to the High Country. In 2007 I earned my NC Real Estate License and began in full-time brokerage. In 2010 I helped to open a franchise brokerage in the High Country. I gained impactful knowledge and built important relationships during my 8 years there, but began to feel the calling to get back to my roots.

In June of 2018, my dream became a reality when I opened 828 Real Estate. We are a boutique brokerage that is locally focused, community-minded and client-driven. I feel so fortunate to be in a career that I love, have opportunities to serve wonderful clients, and get to work with the best team here at 828 Real Estate.

I am a member of The High Country Association of Realtors, the North Carolina Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors. I am a member the Boone Chamber of Commerce and I am on the board for the Downtown Boone Development Association. I have also completed the Realtor  e-Pro certification that specifically focuses on the technology tools needed in the purchase or sale of a property. Additionally, I have earned my CLHMS Designation. (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist) and a qualified LuxuryHomes.com Affiliate. Over the years I have been awarded various Top Producer Awards. I am honored each year to be invited to the Top 50 Brokers in the High Country celebration.

My husband and I reside in downtown Boone and have 2 beautiful children, Sadie Rose and Levi. We attend Alliance Bible Fellowship and stay connected by serving the community and supporting local non-profits like Western Youth Network, The Appalachian Theatre and Valle Crucis Community Park. We love to spend time outside hiking, playing on the river, running with their dog, Emmie Lou, hitting the slopes and making the most of our time in this amazing place we get to call home!