The Silver Elk Approach To Client And Agent Safety
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
As real estate agents who meet with new people every week, we’ve had to implement strict safety protocols to help mitigate any potential risks of exposure to COVID-19 during showings and listing appointments. While we do offer virtual services, when at all possible we still prefer to work in person to build a trusting relationship. Life must go on, and while we don’t live in fear, at Silver Elk, we want to be open and address the elephant in the room with prospective new clients.
BEFORE THE FIRST MEETING
As we anticipate meeting live, we provide a current profession of our health and encourage open dialogue about working in today’s sensitive marketplace. After establishing a cordial tone, prospective clients are expected to disclose COVID-19 protocols within their family unit and are provided our state required disclosure on brokerage services in Texas (IABS). If everyone is comfortable with the results of the disclosure exchange, an appointment will then be arranged in person. We remain mindful of social distancing protocols confirm which room (in-home) or open patio will allow us to spread out. If necessary, we will set a date in the future to revisit a seller’s home and ensure all parties are 100% comfortable with the proposed interaction. (See “keeping the relationship warm” below).
THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT
When meeting with prospective home buyers and home owners, we always lead off with our renewed Profession Of Health:
“Just so you are aware Mr. Seller, we met with a couple yesterday in their home to discuss preparing their home for sale. We didn’t notice any symptoms during our time together, and they disclosed they had not had traveled outside the city limits or had contact with anyone who had.”
We like to lead with this because its an act of good will which communicates that we care about them. Likewise it opens the door for us to ask the same of them and affirm if anything has changed since our initial exchange. We also prefer to model our standards early on to give prospective new clients an opportunity to preview how we intend to operate each time we connect in person.
BUYER TOURS
Before setting any appointment, we prefer to confirm when the last home tour took place just to give us an idea of potential interaction others have had with the home. We also ask the listing agent about the home owners to learn how active they are outside of the home, whether they are elderly or have had any illnesses of any kind in recent weeks. We have discontinued shuttling clients until further notice. While touring, expect us to greet you wearing a face covering. In addition we use disposable gloves to open and stage the home for clients to simply walk through and experience the home. We request that each person wear a mask and refrain from touching door handles, fixtures and countertops while inside any property. Our best advice is to not place any personal items on the counter tops, tables, chairs or floor during the visit.
It’s our job to be mindful of our surroundings when touring, and keep a close eye on clients to help ensure we are supporting and promoting safety at all times. Extra masks, gloves and hand sanitizer are complimentary if forgotten or requested.
SELLER APPOINTMENTS
Expect us to arrive wearing a face covering, and to wave in greeting vs. extend a hand. Our health exchange conversation may either take place on site while greeting on another or during a same-day-phone-call. Homeowners should lead us directly to the space agreed upon to allow all parties to engage and maintain six feet apart, or more. (Ex. Seated at a large dining table or outside patio). Later, in order to arrange a staging and preparation plan, we will need to inspect the home personally. Our disposable gloves come in handy here, and it’s easier to venture through solo, then return to the seller’s meeting area. We do provided printed materials custom to each seller, however by request a digital version can be shared 1 hour prior to our meeting.
KEEPING RELATIONSHIPS WARM
As mentioned earlier, if it is determined that any of the parties disclose a health risk alert, we will defer a live meeting for a couple of weeks. In the interim we will remain in constant communication and launch our home seller or buyer custom Next Steps Program. This includes a series of short articles, videos, texts and emails designed to fully prepare clients for the day we are ready to launch a home search tour or activate a listing.
VIRTUAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE
If it there are time sensitive deadlines or out-of-state clients will will switch to a virtual platform. A seller may perhaps use live video to walk us through the home, room by room for us to devise a preparation plan or offer final staging tips. We may conduct “live” Virtual Tours for buyers via smart phone platform for pre-approved buyers who hire one of us for exclusive agency.
Kindly review our blog, “5 Secrets Buyers & Sellers Must Know About Virtual Tours“, and note that we employ each of those options to help build confidence and guide people home.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As professionals in the industry we not only have a fiduciary responsibility to our clients, but a moral obligation to look after his/her well being when leading them through the process of buying or selling their home. We guide each client using a strong moral compass during every aspect of the real estate process. Our goal is to create an experience that is both financially productive and enjoyable. It’s amazing how much smoother the journey can be when everyone is comfortable with the process and today’s necessary health procedures.
