Saskatchewan realtors can return to holding open houses for prospective buyers.
Effective May 28, the open house marketing tool, unavailable since March due to Covid-19 quarantines, was allowed.
Under new health rules, only two people plus the realtor can be in the house at one time
Visitors will sanitize on entering, not touch anything, wear shoes or disposable booties and maintain physical distancing.
Those waiting outside will be expected to use physical distancing.
Visitors will need to provide contact information for tracing if needed and fill out health disclosure surveys.
“Many of the measures that will be in place are already common practice for those times when a buyer really needs to see a home before they make a purchase, so our members are well-prepared to manage a visit safely,” said Jason Yochim, CEO of the Saskatchewan Realtors Association.
The April real estate market decline of 50 per cent was less than the expected 75 per cent, he said.
“The economic impact to the market was better than we expected but still pretty tough on many of our members,” said Yochim. “I am quite confident the markets will improve. There is a lot of pent up demand out there for both buyers and sellers.”
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
