Now that we are just about six months into the coronavirus pandemic, much of society has overcome the initial shock of the disruption and are now re-opening with changes to adapt to the new normal. The real estate industry stands out from others because of the extensive changes implemented by industry professionals.
Virtual open houses, paperless legal documents, and increased safety measures are helping to keep the real estate industry moving, even during this pandemic. In fact, with the right strategy, you can sell your home during the coronavirus pandemic.
When you are selling your home, first impressions are everything, which is why you must invest in cleaning your home before holding in-person visits for prospective guests, your real estate agent, and home inspectors. Although you might expect cleaning to be overwhelming during the coronavirus pandemic, by following the tips below, it becomes much more manageable.
Incorporate CDC guidelines into your cleaning workflow
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has extensive cleaning guidelines for homeowners during the coronavirus pandemic. In this article, cleaning is defined as “the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces.”
Some of the cleaners recommended by the CDC include:
- Lysol Bathroom Cleaner and Disinfecting Wipes
- Clorox Multi Surface Cleaner + Bleach
- Champion Spray-on Disinfectant Formula 3
- Comet Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner
Due to shortages of disinfectants globally, you might not be able to find those items and alternatives in your local stores or online. If that is the case, you can DIY your own disinfectant. The official CDC recipes for creating your own cleaner includes:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
- 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with 97% water
For best results, before disinfecting any surface, you should first clean the items with soap and water, or a standard cleaner to remove surface dirt and grime. Afterwards, you can use your disinfectant. Be sure to let the disinfectant sit on the surface for a couple of minutes, so it has time to work.
Although many people suggest using vinegar as a cleaner in DIY cleaners, it is not effective at disinfecting, which is why you should not use it as a substitute for bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
Protecting the health and safety of your guests
To ensure the safety of guests and the residents of your home, it is essential to clean and disinfect your home before and after every in-person visit. Specifically, you will want to focus on the surfaces that are touched most frequently. Examples include:
- The doorbell
- Exterior and interior door handles
- Handles on cabinets and drawers
- Toilet seat covers
- Remotes and light switches
- Sinks and faucet handles
In addition to frequently cleaning your home, you should also set up handwashing stations at key points throughout your home. Areas near running water should have well-stocked soap dispensers, while rooms without water can have a hand sanitizer station.
Providing lotion at all stations is a nice touch for guests, as hand washing can dry skin. A little lotion goes a long way in preventing dry and cracked skin.
Since COVID-19 is a virus and not bacteria, you do not need to purchase antibacterial soap. The hand sanitizer stations should contain at least 60% alcohol.
For more on COVID-19 and the real estate comeback, check out HomeLight’s Top Agent Insight Survey from Q2.
