The Philadelphia Inquirer reached out to area real estate agents to discuss the measures they were taking to protect themselves and their clients. Among their strategies for staying safe:
- Touring properties “masked and gloved”
- Conducting business over the phone or electronically
- Making virtual tours available online
- Having buyers and sellers sign deed packages separately
- Asking sellers to leave lights on and closet doors open to reduce the need for touching
Still, substantial frictions to closing deals remain:
- The temporary suspension of Philadelphia’s first-time home buyer program, which offers as much as $10,000 in down payment assistance to certain buyers
- Classification of real estate offices & related services as “non life-sustaining” by Governor Tom Wolf, which must therefore keep their physical locations closed
- Obtaining inspections & licenses in a timely manner as counties reduce hours & staffing
