The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much of the way we live right now, home shopping included. With Stay at Home mandates in place in much of the country, we certainly can’t be going in and out of strangers’ homes touching doorknobs, light switches, and appliances.  So how are you going to find a home?

If this is your first time here, welcome!  My name is Cori and I‘m a proud Marlboro resident and your local REALTOR® with Monmouth County Dream Homes powered by RE/MAX Central.    I have a ton  of fun talking about all things Monmouth County, Marlboro Township and Real Estate on my channel. If that’s a subject you are interested in, you have come to the right place!

You need to purchase a house and move, but how are you going to do that?

If you are needing to move soon, however, don’t panic.  I can help you find a home and stay safely within the health guidelines. Here are some tips for home shopping during the pandemic.

  1. Be selective about the homes you choose to visit. If you are the type of buyer that likes to cast a wide net and see everything in your price range, you may have to change your methodology. Try to narrow down your list of homes to visit to your very top choices.
  2. Start with a Virtual Tour. Many sellers are making virtual home tours available for buyers.The technology for virtual has improved greatly in the last couple of years, from simple videos to 3-D tours with floor plans that help you feel what it is really like to walk through the rooms.
  3. Take a Facetime tour with your agent. If the seller doesn’t offer a virtual tour, have your agent do one for you. The seller may be more comfortable allowing one agent to come in than a group of people. Your agent, masked and gloved, can take a video for you or Facetime with you while you tour the home.
  4. Scheduling a live showing. When you find a home you really must see in person, don’t bring anyone with you that isn’t vital to the decision-making process. Besides the fact that sellers probably don’t want a family of six parading around, with fewer distractions you can get a better look and eliminate the need to come back a second time. Take lots of pictures and measurements so you don’t miss anything.
  5. Put safety first when touring. You want to safeguard your own health, and you want the sellers to appreciate that you safeguard theirs as well. Have your agent arrange for the sellers to be out of the home while your clients take a look.   Also ask the sellers to open all the doors, cabinets, and closets and turn on lights  so you and your clients  don’t have to touch anything. Wear a mask and use hand sanitizer before and after you enter the home.

    I told you, you can still find your dream home even during these CRAZY times!

So you see.  It is possible to look for a new home during these trying times, and trust me I know it’s not ideal, but We are showing and selling houses during the pandemic, so don’t let it discourage you from looking. Most of the process can be handled online now, and what cannot be done digitally we are taking care of with your health and safety in mind.

Thank  you so  much for joining me this week.  I’ll be back next Monday to talk to you about something else that has to do with Real Estate, Monmouth County or Marlboro Township. 

Ready to Start Virtual House Hunting?  Fill out this form and I’ll  get back to you right away! 

If you would like to start the process of looking for a home and get a chance to check out virtual house hunting, fill out the form at the bottom of this page or email me at [email protected] and I will get back to you right away.