With the announcement from the WHO that COVID-19 has reached pandemic status, we are all thinking about safety, prudence, and how to conduct business. While advice and information is changing day by day, there are certain things that we can all do, and on which we can all agree:
--We all want to keep ourselves, our families, our associates, and our clients safe;
--No real estate transaction is worth risking the above goal;
--While we want to be safe, most of us also want to avoid panic;
--Washing hands frequently with soap and water is probably the best way to prevent infection;
--Staying home when you are sick is very important;
--Practicing "social distancing" is something that can't hurt;and
--No action is guaranteed to help or hurt, so we need to use judgment and courtesy.
Having said all that, I want to add a few points specific to real estate and real estate professionals:
--Use common sense, and know that you are not expected to put yourself or others at risk;
--Talk to sellers about what protective equipment they wish to provide for showings (gloves, booties, or other protective equipment), or whether they wish to suspend showings for the time being;
--Screen sellers and buyers the way health care and other agencies are doing, by asking about symptoms and recent travel to highly affected countries;
--Keep six feet between parties, and use separate cars when you are uncertain of risk factors;
--Talk to buyers about protective equipment they may wish to bring and use for viewing properties;
--Bring gloves for yourself, and spares for clients, and use them on surfaces where germs could congregate;
--Carefully and frequently disinfect your car, your phone, your laptop, and other equipment that you may share with others;
--Work from home if you have symptoms, and self-isolate if you are concerned about having contracted the virus;
--Contact your managers if you have questions about any specific request or situation;
--Practice self-care: get enough sleep, exercise, healthy food, and relaxation to remain healthy and calm;and
--Put this all into perspective, and remember that buyers and sellers will emerge again when the risks have abated, and be glad that you are not an airline exec, a restaurant owner, or anyone else whose business cannot wait until healthier times return.
We all are hoping that this stressful time will pass quickly, and it's important to remember that we are all in this together. Be kind to others, and practice the Golden Rule.
