Buyers, Sellers and Home Showing Requirements during Covid-19
For a period of time, during the Stay at Home order, Buyers were not allowed to see homes that were for sale, unless they were vacant. That changed with the Safer at Home guidelines and now showings are allowed, with certain restrictions. This has opened up the Real Estate market again and Real Estate activity has been brisk of late. Inventory is low and demand is high in Boulder County, even with the grim economic situation and rising unemployment levels.
To make home showings as safe as possible, for Sellers and Buyers, the State of CO has put out strict guidelines regarding what Sellers and Buyers have to do during Home Showings. These guidelines were embodied in Buyer and Seller Covid-19 Advisories created by the Colorado Association of Realtors. Here is the gist of those Advisories.
Buyer Covid-19 Advisory highlights
Do NOT view any property if you or someone in your household is positive for COVID-19, exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, or has been in close contact with a person diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19.
ALWAYS wear masks and gloves while viewing the property or in the company of people not living in your household.
Only the buyers (those signing the contract) should be present for showings.
Frequently and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Only one set of buyers in the property at a time. No overlapping showings. If you miss your set showing window, ask your Agent to call the listing Agent to reschedule.
Do NOT touch anything in the property including, but not limited to, counters, cabinets, appliances, fixtures, switches, tables, chairs, doorknobs, sliding glass doors, front door, bedroom or bathroom door handles, windows or window coverings.
Do NOT sit on any furniture or use the toilet.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, or use your inner elbow or sleeve.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands or gloves.
Maintain six feet of distance between you, your Agent and sellers (if present) at all times.
Seller Covid-19 Advisory Highlights
Do NOT allow showings of your property if someone occupying the property has tested positive for COVID-19, exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, or has been in close contact with a person diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19.
If the property is tenant occupied, the seller will need to make arrangements with the tenant to accommodate showings. Brokers will NOT ask tenants to leave the property.
ALWAYS wear masks while in the presence of others at your property.
Maintain six feet of distance between you and others that visit your property at all times.
Turn on all lights and open all bedroom doors and open some cabinet and closet doors to minimize items the buyer or buyer broker may need to touch.
Leave specific instructions for buyers including, but not limited to: 1) wear masks and gloves at all times; 2) wash hands when first arriving and again when leaving the property; 3) do not touch anything in the property.
Sellers must be careful not to include any requests or instructions that may discriminate based on a protected class in accordance with Fair Housing laws.
Seller should assume that every buyer that visits your property has not complied with any instructions to mask, sanitize and avoid touching and, as such, should thoroughly sanitize and disinfect the property upon reentry and prior to any additional showings.
This will give you a good idea of what to expect if you are a Buyer or a Seller. Let us know if you have any further questions.
