How to Navigate the House-Hunting Process During COVID-19

/

Written by Katie Conroy | Photo by Bram Naus

If you’re looking for a new home during COVID-19, then you’re not alone. The real estate market is still very much alive! While there are still many great homes on the market, you may not be able to visit and tour them all in person. From house-hunting to moving, you will have to navigate a few extra steps in the home-buying process in order to keep yourself safe during the pandemic, but you should be able to find a great home nonetheless. Keep reading to learn how you can use virtual tech and online tools to continue your housing search from home!

How Has the Coronavirus Affected Real Estate?

 The coronavirus shutdown has impacted the market in significant ways. Due to economic uncertainty, it might be harder to find your dream home and secure a good mortgage rate.  

  • While it’s true that you can buy a house during the pandemic, consider whether this is still a good time for you based on your financial situation and job stability.

  • Coronavirus restrictions have discouraged many sellers from putting their homes on the market, so you might have fewer listings to choose from.

  • The lockdown has caused mortgage rates to fall, but getting a mortgage could be more difficult right now, especially if you have a low credit score.

  • Reach out to a top agency like Chhabria Real Estate Company for all your home-buying needs.

Online Tools for Virtual House Hunting

 Social distancing orders have forced the shutdown of home showings and open house events, but you can still tour homes and neighborhoods using virtual tools.

  • Use Google Street View to explore the neighborhood surrounding your favorite homes. 

  • Search for home listings with 3D tours so you can visit each room and zoom in on the features that catch your eye.

  • When viewing houses online, pay attention to the placement of windows so you can get a better idea of the natural light in the home.

  • Many sellers offer live video-chat tours to show off their homes from a safe distance. 

  • When you find the perfect home, use electronic signature apps to complete your official offer or enter into a purchase contract.

Tips for Planning Your New Home Repairs

Many homes on the market need some work. If your home inspection reveals problems, you should start planning your repairs so you’re ready to hire contractors and get everything fixed before moving in.

  • Make a new home maintenance and repair checklist so you don’t forget any essential tasks when you finally move in.

  • Find out how much it costs to replace or repair different components of your home, such as a fuel or water storage tank.

  • Budget for your new home repairs now. Major issues like a leaking roof or HVAC failure could be very expensive to fix!

Believe it or not, you don’t have to put your house hunt on hold during the pandemic. Take advantage of the slow real estate market to find a great deal on your dream home and lock in a low mortgage rate! And when it comes to touring homes, don’t be afraid to ask sellers and listing agents to provide video walkthroughs so you can get a better view of the home you might be buying. With the right tools, searching for a home online can be a lot of fun!