It is well documented at this point that much of our country’s normal life has been postponed and/or cancelled. Regardless of thoughts on the matter, the question then comes back to something everyone can relate to…real estate. With the latest reports saying how the virus can travel farther than expected through the air, it raises the question, should people be out looking at houses?
The challenge is simple. People need to move. Life does not stop because of a virus. Leases at apartment buildings are up. New jobs in new places have to start. People are already moving across states to be with family or bring family closer to home. And on and on and on…
This requires interaction at the local houses level. It means walking into houses. Maybe you are buying a vacant home. Less likely to be an issue in theory but is it? After all, you don’t know who was there before and the idea of ‘disinfecting’ a house after a showing is likely not going to get much traction. If it is occupied, you certainly don’t know where the current occupants have been.
So should you be out looking at houses?
The answer likely comes down to your needs as a Seller/Buyer/Agent and the needs you are trying to solve. In our market, people now have more time on their hands and quite a few more are using it to look at property. Being that it is springtime, that certainly doesn’t hurt either and the temperature is warming up. People have to buy and people have to sell and no amount of fear in the air changes that. The fear of not taking action in many people’s cases is far bigger than the virus. Who are we to judge?
At the end of the day, be wise. Don’t be reckless but don’t shrink from needs that must be addressed either. If you have to go look, go. This is good for an economy that is already gotten spooked with fear. Some balance is in order. But responsibility is important too. Know the precautions and if you go out there, look at houses responsibly!