Coronavirus Precautions for Home Buyers

Updated on 5/6/2020

As communities develop ongoing responses and safeguards to the COVID-19 virus, Howard Hanna is dedicated to taking steps to reduce the spread of the virus while continuing to work with home buyers.

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other regulatory agencies in multiple states recommend the use of face masks and coverings. We believe that this is the best practice to follow in our offices, with clients, in group situations, and even where true social distancing can be achieved. As a result, masks or face coverings are required during any interactions with Howard Hanna’s agents.

We also recommend that you as a home buyer use these tips to help keep yourself and others safe and healthy during the buying process:

WHEN TOURING HOMES

❱ Utilize virtual services, such as video tours, whenever possible.

❱ Only tour a property in-person if you feel healthy.

❱ Ask your Howard Hanna agent to show you the property instead of attending an open house.

❱ Drive separately from your agent to the property.

❱ Be considerate of the seller’s home and wash or sanitize your hands before entry, touching as little as necessary. While many sellers will likely provide it, bring your own hand sanitizer and use it before and after you tour the home. You might also consider wearing disposable gloves for further safety.

❱ Ask your agent to confirm with the seller’s agent that they have not recently been sick or in contact with someone suspected of having COVID-19.

❱ Sellers often ask you to take off your shoes when you tour their home or wear protective booties that have been provided. Consider bringing your own booties and throwing them away when you’ve finished touring.

❱ Be mindful of how much you touch things in the home and minimize contact with doors and hand railings.

❱ Reduce the amount of time spent with other people in the same room. This “social distancing” practice can curb person-to-person spread.

DO NOT TOUR HOMES IF

❱ If you are currently self-quarantined because of illness or other reasons, you should not tour homes in person. Ask your Howard Hanna agent to video chat with you while they tour the home so you can see it virtually.

❱ Do not view homes when you’re sick, feeling like you’re about to be sick, or getting over an illness.

❱ We do not recommend touring homes after returning from international travel or travel that exposed you to a large group of people in close quarters, like large events.

To plan the best next steps for you, be sure to talk with your Howard Hanna agent to discuss your options in regard to concerns of COVID-19.