You’ve scrubbed every surface and painted all the walls a neutral color. The house has never looked better. Now, it’s time to show your home to the public.

If your home is on the market, prospective buyers will want to see it. In response to the changing times brought about by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, your Long & Foster agent can leverage a variety of tools to help you list and show it using virtual technology.

Here’s some of what your agent can do for you:

Virtual Tours. Working with our partners, your agent can create a virtual tour that buyers can access from the comfort (and safety) of their own homes.

Personalized Virtual Showings. Working closely with you, your agent can conduct a real-time interactive showing of your property for any potential buyers. This creates a more personalized virtual showing which enables buyers to have a more in-depth look at a property.

Whether your home will be seen in person or by a personalized virtual showing, the buyers’ broker will make appointments with your listing agent and give you as much advance notice as possible. That will give you time to tidy up, make the beds and turn on lights. Your listing agent will also explain any recommended cleaning and safety rules for visitors to follow when entering your home. Make every effort to accept all appointments.

Have copies of the property brochure available along with recent utility bills, the MLS profile, house location survey and other helpful documents. If someone stops by to see your home without their agent with them, or without having first contacted your agent, you should not let them inside. Instead, for your own safety, take their contact information and have your agent contact them later.

Other tips for successful in-person showings:

Your Broker Will Work for You. Do not discuss price, terms, possession or other factors directly with a potential buyer. Your listing broker is most qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.

Relay Buyers’ Contact Information. Buyer’s brokers may leave their business cards or register at the listing broker’s office, depending on local custom. Be sure to keep any cards and give them to your listing broker as soon as possible for follow-up.

Be Flexible on Showings. When and if an open house is scheduled, plan to be away for the entire afternoon. Make the house accessible to your agent and be sure to leave word on how to contact you.

Communication. During the listing period, your agent may periodically update you on the mortgage market, new competitive listings and sales in the area, and any progress in selling the home.

The feedback between you and your agent is vital to exchange selling suggestions and maintain maximum marketability. Your listing broker will follow up with buyers’ agents and provide their feedback to you. This mutual teamwork becomes especially important later when negotiating offers to purchase.

To learn more about how Long & Foster can list your home safely, confidently and virtually, click here.

This is the fifth in a series of articles about selling your home. Read additional posts in the series here.