I think we can all agree that this COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the Boston real estate market for a loop in more ways than one. Like you, I don’t have all the answers but I can at least talk about how the COVID-19 Stay at Home requirements and how it impacts you if you’re looking buy or sell Seaport, Midtown or Beacon Hill condo. There’s a lot of confusion right now even among us downtown Boston real estate brokers/agents as we try to interpret information but I’ll do my best to answer some of your more frequently asked questions.
Also worth noting is that I’ll be primarily answering questions as they pertain to downtown Boston that would include; Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Midtown South End and Seaport District and the surrounding Boston neighborhoods.
Buying a Downtown Boston Real Estate
Question: Can I browse homes for sale online?
Yes. I thought I’d start out with the easiest question first! You can absolutely view Boston condos for sale online and I’d suggest you start either with this Boston real estate website or our the Janet Lamb Team Boston real estate website.
Question: Can I go view/see Boston condos for sale in person?
The short answer is YES. In the state of Boston, real estate is considered to be an essential business. With that being the case, Boston real estate agents and consumers both must obey by city and state social-distancing rules.
Boston real estate brokers SHOULD ONLY view vacant homes and even then, only under certain conditions. Additionally, you would have to meet the Realtor there (not ride with) and maintain all social distancing requirements.
Question: Can I purchase/contract on a home right now?
Yes, you can purchase a Beacon Hill condo, while following the covid-19 distancing/safety guidelines.
If you’re not willing to wait this out, my suggestion would be for you to simply contact me and let’s talk about your needs and situation and we’ll go from there.
Question: Am I allowed to go to Open Houses
No. Open houses will not be allowed from my interpretation. I can’t say that there won’t be any but if brokers are conducting them in Boston they will be violating Mayor Walsh’s mandate.
Question: What if I was already under contract to purchase a home?
If you are purchasing a downtown Boston condo, you would proceed as you normally would while maintaining all social distancing guidelines.
Question: Can I do a walk-through of the condo prior to closing?
Yes. But with conditions:
- No more than three people may be in the residence at any given time. This allows for the realtor and up to two of the buyers.
- Each person present must maintain Centers for Disease Control (CDC) compliance at all times in all applicable areas.
- Practice social/physical distancing: stay at least six feet apart from other people.
- Do not participate if you have any symptoms or fever.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough in your sleeve or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect any objects or surfaces touched using a regular household cleaning product.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds on entering and leaving the dwelling with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%-95% alcohol.
- The realtor is responsible for supplying cleaning products and hand washing products.
- Owners/sellers should not be in the residence at the time if the subject property is owner occupied.
Question: What do I do in the meantime about my Boston real estate needs?
If you’re thinking of buying, my best suggestion would be to reach out to me and let’s just talk about you and your situation and what you’re thinking of doing. The covid-19 pandemic doesn’t change the fact that reaching out to me first is always a great first step. There are many ways that I can be of value, from connecting you with a good mortgage lender, helping you narrow your focus in terms of areas or neighborhoods in downtown Boston, helping you customize your Boston real estate search, or just proving to you that you have a reliable source to lean on.
Boston Real Estate and the Bottom Line
Keep practicing social-distancing the more we keep our distance, the sooner we can come back together.
Boston real estate for sale search
