Indiana's stay-at-home ordinance has officially been extended through Monday, April 20 (read more details about the full executive order here).

This is an unprecedented moment in our collective history and a challenging time, to say the least, for all businesses, business owners, workers and residents.

Real estate professionals are considered “essential” and are continuing work during this time, however, my team and I have shifted the way we operate and collaborate with clients and other industry professionals in order to prioritize and ensure the health and safety of all.

Our Response to COVID-19

Despite the uncertainty of our world right now, many people are still buying and selling homes. If you’re interested in how we’re continuing to help clients move forward with transactions in this current environment, below is an outline of what that looks like, and what activities can be accomplished virtually if you were considering entering the real estate market this year.

I hope this gives you a clear picture of what’s possible during this strange and trying time.

Bottom line: this is not business as usual for the real estate industry. My team and I believe in the critical importance of staying home to slow the spread of Covid-19. Here are some more details around the precautions we are taking.

For Sellers

• New listings will continue to go live. Photographers are wearing gloves and masks as well as asking to be the only people in a home during their session. They want all lights on, all blinds open and everything staged, ready to go. Agents are not attending photo sessions.

• For our current and upcoming listing clients, we will be working with each of you to determine the best action plan for how to get your home on the market and how to show it to potential buyers in the safest manner possible. We have several different options worth exploring.

• Moving companies, contractors like plumbers and electricians, and appraisers are still considered essential for ongoing real estate transactions and emergency home repairs. Maintaining clean surfaces in your home and following all recommended CDC procedures is a must in order for these professionals to do their jobs safely.

For Upcoming Sellers

• There is a lot you can do right now to get your home ready to list. We can still run comparative market analyses on your home without seeing it in person, and are available to do FaceTime or Zoom calls to tour your house virtually to give recommendations on staging, decluttering, and any repairs or upgrades that should be accomplished prior to listing. Now is the perfect time for these types of activities.

For Buyers

• Buyers are still buying properties. I think you'd be surprised to see the ongoing pending data for sales right now.

• For showings for buyers, we are doing these out of necessity only. These are being done via video and 3D tours (which can help a buyer rule-out a property) and via in-person showings that are extremely cautious — we want this to be safer than a trip to buy groceries. If buyers can wait, they will wait. But some simply don't have that option.

• For inspections on pending homes for buyers, we are not attending these in-person. We are dialing in for recaps with the inspector.

For Upcoming Buyers

• Now is a great time to research homes online and get clear on your wish list and priorities. We can help you set up a search in MIBOR so that you can actively monitor homes that match your criteria and desired location.

• Get your finances in order. If you’re waiting to buy a home, now is a good time to get pre-approved and ensure your financing is in order so that when you’re ready to start looking, we can hit the ground running. If you need a trusted lender to work with, we can help you connect with one.

Information on Closings

• As for closings, pending properties will still close (most are closing with our preferred title company who is equipped to handle the situation with separate closing rooms, remote closings, and more). We as agents will not attend closings right now, and only buyers and sellers signing documents should attend. We will have our phones ready for any questions.

I hope this information helps you make the best decision for you and your family.

If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to reach out. (Click the button below to contact me directly).

Thanks, everyone, for taking the time and consideration to protect all those who must go to work and those who are more susceptible to the virus than others. We’re all in this together and we will emerge from this stronger than before.

Take good care!