REAL ESTATE AND COVID 19

BUYING AND SELLING IN WINNIPEG DURING COVID 19

Despite the current COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, many people are in a position where they need to buy or sell a home in Winnipeg. As a real estate professional, I have adopted new COVID-19 protocols as directed by the government and our local, provincial and national real estate boards for buyers and sellers to make sure that those who need real estate services at this time are kept as safe as possible.

Below you will find current guidelines to follow if you are a buyer or a seller looking to make a move. If you have any questions about these directives, know that I'm here to help. I'm happy to provide guidance based on your personal circumstances during these trying times. It may be advisable to wait until things clear up if you aren't in a rush, or you may need help with putting a plan in place to meet a specific timeline. Either way, I have a number of ways to conduct business as safe as possible when you are ready, including virtual consultations, digital signatures, electronic contracts, email listings, virtual home tours and walkthroughs and strict precautions when in person meetings are needed.

Let's work together to find out what's right for you.

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

Before engaging in any home sales or purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic, you must confirm that:

You have not travelled anywhere outside of Canada or have been in contact with anyone who has travelled outside of Manitoba in the last 14 days; and
You have not had any of the following symptoms in the last 14 days: Fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing; and
You have not knowingly come into contact with anyone experiencing the following symptoms in the last 14 days: Fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing; and
You have not come in contact with anyone with a presumptive or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in the last 14 days.

You will be asked these questions by your Realtor and may need to sign a document called a Health Directive Form/Waiver to confirm your recently health, movements and social contact. It will help you to self-assess your exposure to COVID-19 and ensure that you have considered the risks when you open your property up for viewings, are viewing properties for sale, as well as the potential risks you bring to your real estate professional. If you can't confirm all of the above statements, you will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. These forms may also assist with contact-tracing purposes related to COVID-19.

There may be exceptions if you are a front line/healthcare worker. If you work regularly with sick individuals, but are wearing proper PPE (personal protective equipment), buyers and sellers may be ok with allowing the viewings to proceed, even though you can't confirm that you haven't been in contact with someone who exhibits symptoms of dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, or difficulty of breathing. It will be on a property by property basis as some people are more comfortable than others with the associated risks.

FOR PURCHASERS

PREPARATIONS IN ADVANCE

To limit the number of in-person visits, consider the following:

Assess properties through virtual options first via virtual tours, floor plans, photos, neighbourhood information, walk-scores etc. to short-list properties. The more short-listing you can do, the safer it is for everyone.
Before viewing a home or condo in person, take a drive past the property and the surrounding area and ask about amenities and schools (if applicable) to make sure it's a place you want to live.
Let your REALTOR® do a virtual showing for you, walking you through the home to make sure it fits before you decide to go visit in person.

Before you start shopping for a house or condo, it's also more important than ever to be pre-approved for a mortgage. If you haven't been pre-approved for financing yet, I can recommend a number of mortgage brokers and specialists to ensure you are financially able to buy a home, and are looking at the right homes that fit within your budget during these unprecedented times.

I also encourage you to view my Buyer's Page to read about my Winnipeg Home Buyer Services.

IN-PERSON VIEWINGS

When you are ready to view homes, the following guidelines and recommendations should be adhered to:

Only those who will be named on the offer will be allowed to view homes. Additional family members, friends or children MUST NOT be in attendance.
Each showing is limited to 30 minutes. It's important to arrive on time to make the most of your allotted time.
Realtor and clients must travel in separate cars to each property viewing.
Wearing a face mask and sanitizing hands before and after each viewing is recommended.
Try not to touch light switches, door/closet handles, cabinet drawers etc. If you must, please sanitize your hands before and after touching anything.
The use of bathrooms is prohibited during showings.
Do not greet others with handshakes or other physical contact, and keep at least 6 feet apart at all times.
No sharing of phones, tablets, laptops, pens.
If you become ill or are diagnosed with COVID-19 following a showing, please notify your Realtor so they can inform the seller's agent.

OFFERS AND CONDITIONS

Offers can be reviewed virtually
Electronic signatures can be used to legally sign offers to purchase, counter offers, and condition removal forms
Home inspections can be done virtually

FOR SELLERS

Here are some tips to help get your Winnipeg home ready to sell, as efficiently and safe as possible:

I also encourage you to view my Seller's Page to read about my Selling Services.

PREPARATIONS IN ADVANCE

Before listing your home for sale, there are a few things that you can do to limit the amount of appointments you need to make with your Realtor.

Collect all your house related documents including your property tax bill, survey certificate and zoning memorandum, utility bills, receipts from any renovations and upgrades, copies of any rental contracts or payment plans, mortgage statements with amount owing, manuals and warranties, maintenance records,
Write a list of all noteworthy things about your home like the age of all mechanical items, roof, hot water tank, furnace, electrical, plumbing, description and age of renovations and upgrades.
Make an extra set of keys to put in the lockbox.
If possible, conduct meetings via video applications like Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype instead of meeting in person.
Review documents electronically and send/receive via scanning and e-mailing or faxing.

OFFERS AND CONDITIONS

Offers can be reviewed in person or virtually
Electronic signatures can be used to legally sign offers to purchase, counter offers, and condition removal forms

WHEN YOUR HOME IS LISTED FOR SALE

Be absent for the showings (take a walk or drive to avoid contact with the buyers or their Realtor). If you must be present, practice appropriate social distancing measures.
Open all closet doors, interior doors and leave all the lights on to minimize the need for viewers to touch surfaces in the home.
Disinfect all exterior and interior door handles/knobs, light switches, counters, often touched surfaces, and lockbox before and after every showing.
It's recommended that your listing has a video tour or virtual 3D tour, and schedule virtual tours with potential purchasers to limit the number of showings, encouraging only serious buyers to view in person.
Have hand sanitizer, latex gloves, wipes, paper towels left close to the front entrance.
Only 1 showing at a time will be permitted.
Suspend showings if you are feeling unwell.
In-person open houses are not recommended. Virtual open houses via Facebook Live are a good alternative.

JUSTIN POKRANT

Cell - 204.997.5876
Office - 204.453.7653

360 McMillan Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3L 0N2

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