Homes have been selling and quickly during COVID, and landlords are finding tenants. There's lots of data suggesting that activity is on the rise. This is all great news but what does Phase I mean for sellers, buyers, people looking to lease, and current tenants?
I've answered questions recently inquiring as to whether a landlord can show a tenants place, while still occupied or is it legal or even safe to show a property at all, and how?
Here's what the city and state have to say about what's expected and what's required.
Who's required: (short answer? everybody).
1. Realtors & Brokers are essential employees and are and may continue to work. They are also allowed to open offices to employees at 25% capacity.
2. Agents are required to abide by the following rules even if they are independent (aka don't work with a company) don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
3. The following applies to all parties engaged in a real estate transaction including but not limited to buyers, sellers, tenants, vendors, etc.
What's required: (short answer? masks, distance, patience, flexibility).
1. Cover your nose and mouth! Masks or face coverings required for showings, open houses, or interactions with clients (per the Governor of Louisiana).
2. One party at a time! No more than one buyer (or buyer household) should be on any premises at the same time. Multiple showings are OK, just not at the exact same time. This applies to open houses where you may be asked to wait until the group in front of you has toured and left the property before entering. (per NOMAR the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors). Buyer's agents are encouraged to limit groups to only the necessary people (e.g. the decision-makers) and to discourage additional parties touring the property.
3. Sellers set the tone! Sellers may impose their own additional rules and limitations regarding their own properties (e.g. tour size of family groups, number of groups, days available to show, etc.).
4. You can stay in place! Occupants are NOT required to leave the property (this includes tenants). They are however required to keep a minimum of a six-foot distance from others.
5. You don't have to show! Sellers are not required to show their property, to host tours or open houses, etc. Especially those sellers who may be high risk. They may also choose to require pre-qualification of buyers before allowing them to see the property or requiring buyers to make an acceptable offer that is signed by the seller before allowing anyone into the property. (Buyers see #5 below for how to navigate this).
What's encouraged: (short answer? space, disclosure, homework).
1. Drive yourself. Agents & clients should each make separate travel arrangements. This means not traveling in the same vehicle (per the Governor of Louisiana).
2. Social distance. Agents & clients should remain at least six feet away from each other at all times (per the Governor of Louisiana).
3. Share your status. If the seller, landlord, or tenant has COVID symptoms, the Seller's/Landlord's Agent should be the one asking the occupants if anyone is symptomatic or has been in contact with known positive cases of COVID-19. According to NOMAR (New Orleans Association of Realtors) the Seller's Agent must, at a minimum, disclose the occupant's condition to any prospective Buyer's Agent or buyers.
4. Even if you don't buy. If the buyer, vendor, or open house guest has COVID symptoms sharing this information becomes the responsibility of the buyer's agent (see #3 for full details). Buyers agents should also ask all buyers to assume the sellers or buyers from previous showings are COVID-19 positive and should take all necessary precautions.
5. Research before you ask to view. Buyers do as much homework as you can prior to visiting the property at all. This includes virutal tours, video tours, etc. You may choose to go into contract prior to seeing the property and add a contingency to the contract that the contract is contingent upon the buyer viewing and approving the property after the contract is signed.
Here's What I'm Doing At Showings:
Click on the small grey arrow in the post below to see tips and video snipets of what I'm doing and what can be done. Keep reading for ideas on showings and open houses.
What about open houses? (short answer? distance, masks, sanitization)
Open Houses and brokers open houses are allowed under Phase 1, but not everyone is doing them. Per the Governor’s Order, the following applies to open houses and broker tours:
1. Keep your distance. All agents shall maintain 6-foot social distancing to the extent possible between themselves and other agents or members of the public
2. Wear a mask. All agents shall wear face coverings at all times when interacting with other agents or members of the public.
3. Keep it moving. Congregating is not allowed. Agents or members of the public who wish to view a house should be required to wait outside while maintaining social distancing, or wait in vehicles until they are allowed to enter and maintain social distancing.
4. Pro tips. You may also consider the following for showings & open houses: - Designate a wash station with antibacterial soap or a sanitation station for buyers to wash/sanitize their hands upon entering and exiting the property - Turn on all lights and open all doors prior to any showing - Open any cabinets, window coverings, etc. I can help point out which of these may matter.
See a video on what I'm doing and have done here:
5. Clean and often. Clean and sanitize the property with an emphasis on high-traffic areas and high touch surfaces. I can help you make a list and engage a sanitization company for you. See upcoming interview with a sanitization expert on how to keep your home COVID clean!
Property is moving in New Orleans and in many instances more quickly than it did prior to COVID-19. Low-interest rates may be spurring this as is a newly confirmed remote workforce.
If you're ready to sell your place, I've got you. Give me a call or shoot me a text and we can build a custom plan together that works for you and stays within your comfort level.
Voted Neighborhood Favorite by Nextdoor, Team Cool Murphy is a top-producing, licensed real estate team based in New Orleans, brokered by Cool Murphy, LLC.
Celebrated for her next-level creative approach to real estate, Elisa Cool Murphy is an award-winning, top-performing agent in New Orleans and the founder and leader of Cool Murphy, LLC.
Contact Her -
email: cool@coolmurphy.com
Facebook: @homeinneworleans
IG: @coolmurphynola
YouTube: @coolmurphynola
phone: 504-321-3194
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