What’s your realtor’s home sanitization strategy?

The global pandemic may have thrown a wrench into your plans to list your home and it has surely raised questions about how to sell in a post-COVID-19 market. You’re likely concerned about the safety of hosting an open house and  wonder how to get top dollar for your home during these tumultuous times.

Peace of mind in uncertain times

Virtual showings are great whenever possible, however the reality is that potential buyers want to experience your space — to picture themselves in their would-be home before deciding to make an offer. And that means that they’ll be visiting it in-person.

With COVID-19 still a concern, sellers and potential buyers alike will benefit from the peace of mind that a fully sanitized space offers. And we’re not just talking about cleaning — eliminating harmful pathogens is the only way to prevent the spread of harmful viruses such as COVID-19.

The new kind of clean

When you clean high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, stair railings, and light fixtures, you may be removing dirt, but you’re probably not disinfecting. Eliminating bacteria & viruses is critical for reducing the risk of transmission of harmful pathogens such as COVID-19. To ensure that your home is safe for you and your family while it’s on the market, you need more than just a cosmetic clean — and you need your realtor to make it happen. 

Sanitization: a new home sales strategy

Top realtors today understand the anxiety homeowners face when putting their home up for sale. Incorporated into their services is a comprehensive sanitization strategy that helps to protect the seller, potential buyers, as well as realtors visiting the property. Not only does this offer obvious health and wellness benefits, it can elevate your listing by showcasing your home in a unique way.   

Questions to ask your realtor:

• How are they managing the number of visitors to your home? 
• Who will ensure that PPE is worn and used properly while on the premises?
• What will the experience be like for potential buyers?
• How do we turn PPE measured into an elevated open house experience?
• How will high-touch surfaces be kept sanitized after each open house or walk-through? 

Conscientious realtors will plan ahead on behalf of their clients, providing one or all of the following strategic sanitization solutions:

Enlist the help of a sanitization expert

To remove harmful pathogens from surfaces throughout your home, an expert should be consulted to identify the hot-spots and plan your sanitization method and frequency.  

At the pre-listing and closing stages, a professional sanitization technician can ensure that an even distribution of sanitization solution is applied using an electrostatic sprayer or ULV (ultra low volume) fogger, eliminating up to 99.99% of pathogens on surfaces. Experts such as S.T.A.C.S. are leaders in this space — consider discussing their suite of sanitization services with your realtor before you list your home.

Add a sanitization station 

To encourage hygienic practices among visitors to your home, your realtor should consider the assembly of a kit or station within the home that includes items such as; masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and ideally, a ULV mist sprayer filled with a Health Canada approved sanitizing solution. 

“Agents who are truly invested in the health and safety of their clients will outfit your home with a ULV sprayer” said Kate Girogio, Sales Representative at Insider Condos. “However, if they do not, this easy-to-use equipment is available for rent from S.T.A.C.S., allowing you to sanitize high-touch areas quickly and effectively after each showing.” 

Hire extra help for a high-end feel

To set your home apart from others and to elevate the health and safety of your open house experience, your realtor may choose to hire a concierge to be stationed on your porch or at the entranceway. The role of this individual is to greet potential buyers, prepare them for entry with instructions and PPE, and if required, time their entry based on visitor volume to maintain social distancing best practices. This provides a top-notch experience that adds to the appeal of your home — an important quality in driving over-asking offers.

To ensure that your home’s concierge is well versed in facilitating a refined (and safe) visitor experience, look to organizations like Gatsby Valet, a West Egg Group company that specializes in creating professional first impressions.

Ensure that your realtor is taking a seller-first approach by creating a sanitization strategy that protects you and your family. It’s the best way to enjoy peace of mind during the process and to curate an open house experience that drives multiple offers.