The Coronavirus Pandemic has been surreal. Businesses and individuals have been continually adapting to stay safe and healthy during this worldwide outbreak. With the help and suggestions of our local RE/MAX, Realtor and MLS offices, your real estate professionals are working together to keep everyone safe, while continuing to help people buy and sell real estate.

** March 28th update ** Governor Inslee has REVISED the statewide “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order that became effective midnight on Wednesday, March 25th. The revisions to the order now DO ALLOW real estate showings, home inspections, appraisals and other key activities using some strict social distancing guidelines. Below are several social distancing strategies and precautions I and other real estate professionals are using to help people to continue buying and selling real estate. Contact Jen for complete details! ** See the info guidelines for buyers & sellers below at the end of this article. **

This is an example of Matterport Virtual Touring - This interactive three-dimensional scan is just one of the many tools I can utilize to help sellers to show listed homes and for buyers, help to narrow down the amount of homes you need to physicall… — This is an example of Matterport Virtual Touring - This interactive three-dimensional scan is just one of the many tools I can utilize to help sellers to show listed homes and for buyers, help to narrow down the amount of homes you need to physically see to keep us all safe during the outbreak.

Here are some updates to help with social distancing and virtual touring options for both buyers and sellers in order to limit the spread of the virus.

Virtual Touring - I have actually helped people to purchase and sell homes from out of state and country since 2004. So this has always been and will continue to be an option… This is also helpful for people who are busy with work and life or couples or groups who’s schedules don’t match up for looking at homes. I can preview and tour homes for you and take video so you can look around inside, show you what’s outside, etc… I have done this with people on FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Zoom, and other free video apps. I also can create 360 videos post them or share them directly to you using my RICOH Tours camera and subscription. Utilizing these tools, buyers can still explore every nook and cranny of a home for sale without creating a public-health risk. These tours can be done live/real time so that you can talk or text with me, ask questions, or have me pan right or show an area again or they can be recorded to watch whenever you would like.
Virtual Open Houses - At the moment the MLS has canceled all traditional open houses and everyone is staying home as much as possible in order to prevent the spread of the virus. If live open houses are happening, the number of people going through has been drastically limited and door knobs, and other surfaces people would touch are regularly sanitized. Virtual open houses are an option via video, Matterport 3D photography, or live video. Traditionally open houses are covered by the Listing Broker or an associate in order to have a set time when anyone can go through homes for sale without their own agent. While we are observing social distancing and other special care to limit the spread of the coronavirus, people who would like to see the inside of homes should do so by scheduling with their own broker. I am a full-time Realtor, available to work for you as your buyer’s Agent! Having your own representation is important anyway, since the Listing Broker who is usually onsite works for the seller. Here is a link to the Law of Agency Pamphlet for more info.

In order to best serve you, I have recently added the RICOH camera and touring package to the multitude of tools I have to help buyers and sellers during COVID or for shopping remotely anytime.

Looking at Properties in Person - At this time, as of 3/20/2020 in Washington, we are allowed to be out and about as long as we are practicing proper social distancing. We are constantly working with the Seattle King County Association of Realtors, Multiple Listing Service, government officials, and the CDC to do our best to make sure people who need to buy and sell real estate can do so safely today. This is important for people who need to move and important for the stability and recovery of our economy. See precautionary protocols below.

Check out the area first - For buyers, I recommend narrowing down the homes you would like to see by making sure you like the area online first. You can use tools like Google Earth & Google Maps Street View or MLS Satellite and Parcel Views to look from above and at the street level to see what is around the homes you are interested in. If you see something you are concerned about, you can also check county records for information about neighboring properties. You can also “map it” to check your commute. Next step could be to drive by and take a look from the street. If you like what you see and would like to see inside the home, schedule an appointment with your Buyer’s Agent to view the interior of the home. These are great tips for home buying any time!

You can use tools like GoogleEarth & GoogleMaps Street View or MLS Satellite and Parcel Views to look from above and at the street level to see what is around the homes you are interested in. You can also “map it” to check your commute.

Important Precautionary Protocols provided by the Seattle King County of Realtors as of 3/20/2020
- #1 Importance - Safety for agents, buyers, sellers, home inspectors, and appraisers who will still be visiting and looking at homes during this time. These precautionary protocols may change with the times and can be adjusted to address any concerns you may have as a buyer or seller.
- Only buyers who are pre-approved and have a real interest in buying should be looking at homes at this time.
- Showings by Appointment Only - Call your Buyer’s Agent/Broker. Your broker will schedule an appointment with the owner if the home is occupied or will schedule with the Listing Broker if the home is vacant.
- Professional cleaning more regularly can also help to reduce the amount of germs.
- Buyer Brokers must submit a pre-approval letter to the Listing Broker to show the buyer is qualified to purchase the home prior to showing.
- Listings are encouraged to provide virtual tours to help the buyers to see inside the home remotely before venturing out to see it in person.
- Listing Brokers may elect to remove the keybox to allow only scheduled showings or during certain time frames.
- Seller or Listing Broker should use disinfectant to regularly clean and may open up doors, cabinets, and turn on lights before leaving to limit the surfaces buyers and Buyer Brokers will need to touch. Buyer Brokers can also bring and use disinfectant to double-up efforts.
- Have the buyer and Buyer Brokers wear disposable gloves or keep their hands in their pockets during the tour to ensure surfaces are not touched. Masks could also be worn (if the person has a mask). Also, perhaps removing shoes outside of the home is another way to reduce the amount of germs entering a home.
- Bring along supplies - I have in my car a bag of supplies that we may utilize for in person viewings. Some of the items in my bag are - disposable shoe covers & gloves, disinfectant, paper towels, hand soap, hand sanitizer, and garbage bags to contain any used towels, gloves & covers.
- Register buyers in case of an outbreak at the property (to help track transmission). Buyer Brokers should carry and use our own pens.
- Question the buyer and Buyer Broker about their health to confirm to the Listing Broker know that both buyer and Buyer Broker are not showing any symptoms and have not had any contact with anyone who has tested positive for the COVID19 virus.
  - No one with symptoms should be looking in person. As your Realtor, don’t worry, I have you covered. I have a strong network of Realtors who can cover for me if I do become ill or am otherwise engaged at the time that you would like to schedule. I am doing my best to stay healthy and utilizing many precautions.
  - Read more about why it’s important to work with a Realtor, as opposed to a real estate agent who is not a Realtor.

Square Template - Jen's Realty - Realtor since 2004.jpg — Real Estate Agent, Broker, Realtor: What's the Difference?

Click the image to read more about it.
In a nutshell… Realtors are true professionals held to higher standards and ethics!

Other issues and concerns that I am prepared to help you with:

Recording Office Delays - The County’s recording of the sale on the title is the most important final step in every purchase and sale. This is what makes the change of ownership official and triggers the right for the buyer to have keys to the home. Some Counties are executing electronic recordings. A few offices are currently closed.
- GAP Coverage - It is important to make sure the title insurance company has GAP Coverage in case it is needed. It would allow seller to get their money and move on and allow the Buyer to get the keys, even though the actual deed conveying title to the new owner may be delayed. It is also important for the buyer to make sure buyer’s new home insurance company is able to start insuring the property in this event (if the deed isn’t able to be recorded on time). Buyers are encouraged to check with your insurance agent or attorney.
Force Majeure and Closing Addendum - We have a process in place for delays that may happen due to forces outside of our control. Our statewide MLS has created this form to allow buyer and seller to negotiate in advance for unforeseen extensions needed with regards to the closing date and all the internal deadlines with regards to the contingencies within the purchase and sale contract. Here is a link to this new form and more information about this new form.

Buyers - This could be an opportunity for you! There is less competition. We have been seeing and are still seeing some multiple offers, but some buyers are waiting, which means less competition.

Already we have seen the real estate world reacting and continually evolving. I am a full-time Realtor, dedicated to helping people buy, sell, and invest in real estate. I do this with great emphasis to help you to maximize your return on your investment, and for your primary and secondary homes - help you find homes you can enjoy and make happy memories in.

I have already been using many of these tools, such as professional listing photography, floor plans, drone photography, video, and video touring options in throughout the past 15 years to best help people buying and selling real estate and will continue to do so after the coronavirus issue is eliminated. I am always open to suggestions, questions, and look forward to talking with you about your concerns to provide you with additional information specific to your needs.

I invite you to call, text, email, or video chat me to talk about this. I know right now, as of March 20, 2020, we are all feeling a little stir-crazy in our homes and getting a bit lonely, so more than ever, we need to pick up the phone or use our technology to connect. I am available to talk with you and answer all your questions and address your concerns whether you are preparing for a move now or in the future.

Call, text, or email me today! Thanks,

Jennifer Suemnicht - Jen's Realty - RE/MAX Metro Realty, Inc.

www.JensRealty.com / 206-550-1676 / jen@jensrealty.com

** March 30th Update - See pdf for Information for Buyers and Sellers - Provided by Northwest Multiple Listing Service® & Washington REALTORS®