Moving in the time of COVID-19: How the outbreak can affect your relocation

Moving homes can be stressful enough. Throw a pandemic into the mix and things might be more challenging. To help you relocate in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, here are several things to anticipate as well as things you can do to ease the process.

If you haven’t started, postponing might be a better option

As you have yet to start the relocation process, it would be better to hold off for the moment until things are more stable, especially if you are moving with kids or immunocompromised family members.

If you have already made arrangements with moving companies, make inquiries if it would be possible to reschedule. Because of the stay-at-home orders in Los Angeles County extended until May, some of these businesses might have already suspended operations.

Already started moving? Here’s how you can carry on

Businesses closing, social distancing guidelines, and stay-at-home orders are some of the barriers you’ll have to overcome to finish moving.

  • Expedite transfers if you hired a moving company to help.
  • Make sure to practice social distancing. Help when you can, but stay away from other people. Wear a face mask as well as gloves, and carry a bottle of hand sanitizer or alcohol with you at all times in case you can’t wash your hands.
  • Disinfect boxes and other items after receiving them in your new home.

Are you looking to buy a home?

Thanks to the internet, it is still possible to search for homes even with the COVID-19 outbreak. Some real estate listing websites are still available and there are still sellers out there who have yet to pull their properties off the market.

Just don’t expect to be able to make house calls whenever you want. For the meantime, virtual tours will be the norm. Sellers and their agents might also ask you for additional requirements before you can schedule a private viewing in person.

There is also the possibility that the housing inventory won’t be as rich during the coronavirus pandemic. It might be that some sellers have opted to postpone selling their homes. As such, set your expectations just in case you don’t find a lot of options.

Financing is another aspect of home buying. With non-essential work closed for the meantime, it might be a challenge to get pre-approved for a loan. If you’ve yet to accomplish this task, hold off until measures have been eased.

Are you about to sell your home?

You can still sell your house even with a pandemic going on. You have to be prepared, however, to take extra steps to market your home all while ensuring everyone’s safety.

For now, listing photos and virtual tours will be your means of showing off your property to potential buyers. You might also have to improve your open-house etiquette for in-house visits by disinfecting the whole property and providing alcohol, hand sanitizer, gloves, and booties for your guests.

Marco de Longeville Luxury Realty remains 100 percent committed in helping you make your real estate dreams a reality. All you need to do is connect with our team at [mail_to email=”marc.delongeville@sothebys.realty”]marc.delongeville@sothebys.realty[/mail_to] or 213.675.0197 to learn more about homes for sale in Malibu CA and real estate.

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