On June 1st Governor Jay Inslee’s office put out the “Safe Start Proclamation” for Washington’s phased reopening approach, putting Pierce County in Phase 2.

Covid-19 is effecting every county differently so Washington state so they have put out the  Safe Start application for each county. Although Pierce County is approved to enter Phase 2, social distancing is still required.

Tips for selling a property during Phase 2: 

Important note- real estate is still selling!

We may be in the middle of a pandemic but selling real estate does not have to be a daunting task. Here are some tips if you’re in this boat.

• For owner-occupied homes, discuss the pros and cons of limiting showings, especially if there are young, elderly, or immunocompromised people living in the home.
• Make sure your listing has a 3D virtual tour so buyers can easily view it.
• If the property is occupied, disinfect all surfaces after each show.
• Have hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, and a note to the person entering requesting that they use the provided materials while viewing.

Tips for buying a home during Phase 2: 

Home Buying can be a daunting task, especially for beginners but the Washington State Eviction Moratorium will help a lot of first-time homeowners that are transitioning from renters to owners.

• Consider viewing houses via “virtual showings.”
• Wear cloth face coverings.
• When showing homes, touch as few surfaces as possible while in the home, and use sanitizer and wash your hands. Keep your hands in your pocket whenever possible.
• Asking for a walk-through video or conference before you go and see it in person will help cut down on properties you may not want to see. 

In-person activities during Phase 2:

• All meetings must be by appointment only and virtual whenever possible.
• Real estate brokers and industry partners (e.g. appraisers, inspectors, photographers, stagers, etc.) must wear cloth face coverings and should encourage clients and customers to do the same.  
• No more than three (3) people including the broker may be at the property at any one time. Brokers may only bring two other people at a time into a property.
• Those people must strictly follow social distancing guidelines by remaining at least six feet apart at all times. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Can inspectors conduct inspections? Yes. 
• Can appraisers conduct in-person appraisals during Phase 2? (Revised June 5, 2020) Yes.
• Can buyers’ brokers conduct “buyer walk-throughs” prior to closing during Phase 2? (Revised June 5, 2020) Yes.
• Can real estate brokers input new listings in the MLS system during Phase 2? Yes. 
• Can professional photographers take photos and create virtual tours during Phase 2? Yes. 
• Can stagers stage homes and remove furniture from a listing during Phase 2? Yes. 
• Can moving companies move buyers into a property and move sellers out of a property? Yes. 
• Can brokers hire signs installers during Phase 2? Yes. 
• Can contractors make repairs associated with an inspection response? Construction practices are permitted and regulated under a separate order from the Governor. You’ll want to consult with any contractor hired to complete repairs to ensure that the contractor is in compliance with all protocols required of the contractor. 
• Are property management services included in Phase 2? Yes.
• Can lenders, title, and escrow continue to operate? Yes. 

Please visit the CDC’s website and the Washington State Department of Health’s website for the latest updates about the pandemic.