HOME VIEWING PROTOCOLS FOR VACANT HOMES
Posted by Elizabeth Biberger on
HOME VIEWING PROTOCOLS FOR VACANT HOMES
ELIZABETH BIBERGER AND ASSOCIATES
Dear Buyers and Fellow Agents:
Thank You for showing our listing. We have set up some PROTOCOLS for showing our vacant listings, so please take a minute before entering this home to familiarize yourself with them. This does not relieve buyers and agents from making sure they have developed their own protocols for viewing homes that protect all parties. However, you must make sure you adhere to what I have here. Many people feel that wearing gloves is the answer. If you are a buyer, that may protect you– but if you touch anything in the home, other buyers and their agents are not protected in the event you have contaminated your gloves prior to touching. So – if you wear gloves then you must follow these protocols and not touch anything. Agents – same for you except to the extent noted in this protocol.
If you are not well, have been out of the country in the past 2 weeks, have been in the company of anyone returning from high risk locations or diagnosed with Covid 19 in the past 3 weeks, we would ask that you NOT enter/show this home for the safety of all concerned.
Do NOT touch anything in this home. If something does need to be touched or opened, please have your agent do it for you. Even if a buyer or an agent is wearing protective gloves, these protocols MUST be followed. We are asking that you always stay with your agent during the showing, so your agent can monitor ALL activity in the home. They have a very large responsibility to you, other agents and their buyers and to the homeowner, and all parties staying together will make their job much easier. It has been recommended that no children enter any homes during this crisis. No more than two adults with the agent at any time.
This home is vacant so NO special steps have been taken to prepare for your visit. However, here is what we have done to make things easier for you on your showing.
1. All interior doors have been left open including closet doors, so you do not have to touch these in order to view. Please leave them as you found them and refrain from touching the handles.
2. I have left a box of tissues on the kitchen counter so that your agent can use one to open doors and drawers in the kitchen as required for viewing. Agents, if you have sanitizing wipes please bring with you as they are a better option. I have not been able to get my hands on enough for own family, let alone enough to put in listings. Please take the tissue/wipe with you. Do not flush wipes. Ensure that any sanitizing products will not do damage to hardware or finishes. I purchased 80% hand sanitizer for myself and discovered that using it on a cloth to wipe down certain surfaces including my exterior door handles caused some damage. Expensive lesson to learn. Luckily it was on at my house.
3. The lights are not on and if you choose to turn one on, do so with a wipe or tissue.
4. Do not try to operate gas or electric fireplaces, ceiling fans, garage door openers or any other mechanical item etc. If you make an offer, the inspector will verify the operation of these items.
5. Please refrain from placing hands on counters. Do not use toilets.
6. Please view the home, do not touch anything and do not linger for conversations. Please take conversations outside.
7. Features sheets and Information books will not be in the home. Please download for your buyer prior to viewing and make sure they have fully reviewed the package to ensure the home meets their needs.
WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE VIEWING AND YOUR ADHERENCE TO THESE GUIDELINES. THESE ARE IN PLACE FOR EVERYONE’S BENEFIT AND SAFETY.