Our company has a remarkable network of intelligent, creative, caring agents in South Carolina. I asked our staff to pass along to me the innovative methods they are hearing that our residential closing attorneys are using as they continue to do business in this world infected by COVID-19, a world where business as usual is impossible.

I’m sharing this list with you to pass along some new ideas for your business and request that you share your innovative ideas with me. Let’s talk and continue to figure out ways to keep our clients, our staff and ourselves safe and well.

Some have asked why real estate closing services are considered to be “essential”. The technical explanation is that closings are an ancillary service of financial institutions, and financial services are essential. A better explanation may be that our industry allows access by our customers to the equity in their homes. If consumers are unable to sell or refinance their properties in a time of financial difficulty, then they are denied an avenue to prevent or delay financial difficulties. The same concept can be applied to commercial clients. They need access to their properties during difficult financial times more than ever. Never doubt that our closing services are essential in this environment.

Here are some ideas that our agents are using to conduct safe closings:

Communicate, communicate, communicate!

We have heard that clients are often surprised by the changes to closing procedures. Don’t let that happen. The new rules you establish should be clearly communicated with clients. You can’t control this unusual situation if you don’t clearly communicate the innovative methods you are using

• Add the new rules to your email signatures.
• Add the new rules to your engagement letters.
• Use attractive signs inside and outside your office.
• Make telephone calls!
• Add video chatting to your website, Facebook pages and other social media venues.
• Make sure your real estate agents and lenders understand the new procedures. They deserve extra communication during this time, too!
• Let clients, real estate agents, lenders and other real estate professionals know about county office closures and other inconveniences that may affect closings.

Move closings to different locations:

• Close at the client’s car. Allow the client to remain in the vehicle. Hand the client a pen to keep. Watch the execution from a distance and witness signatures at that same distance. Some lawyers are calling these closings “curbside service” and “drive-through closings”.
• Close on the trunk or hood of the client’s vehicle.
• Rope off parking-lot spaces for closings. Use attractive signs to mark the designated spaces.
• Use a tailgating tent in your parking lot or other outdoor location. Fresh air is a huge advantage!
• Buy colorful, plastic tables and chairs for this purpose.

Limit contact with individuals who are not necessary for closings:

• Don’t allow real estate agents, lenders and others who are not needed for signing documents into your office.
• Don’t allow children in your office. If parents must bring children, have one parent remain outside with their children while the other parent signs, then switch.
• Clearly communicate that extra individuals are not allowed during this difficult time.

Limit the individuals who come into your office for any reason:

• Don’t allow walk-ins during this time.
• Stagger closings.
• Have clients call from their vehicles to check in. Then call them and ask them to come into your office only when they can enter without encountering other individuals.
• Set up separate waiting rooms if you have space.
• Separate buyers and sellers.
• Use video conferencing for activities other than actual closings.

Keep your office de-cluttered and cleaner than usual:

• Buy pens in bulk and allow one-time use only. Give clients the pens they use.
• Clean all surfaces clients touch, including conference tables, chairs, doorknobs, elevator buttons, stair railings, restrooms. Cleaning should take place between closings.
• Use effective, antibacterial cleaning products.
• Communicate additional cleaning requirements with the individuals who clean your office after hours.
• Keep hand sanitizer and wipes at convenient locations throughout your office.
• Remove children’s play areas.
• Remove magazines and other extraneous items from waiting rooms and conference tables.
• Wear masks and gloves. Encourage visitors to wear masks and gloves. Consider providing those items to your visitors.
• Ask visitors to clean hands at the door.
• Encourage pre-and post-closing hand washing.
• Pack up glasses and cups. Use only disposable items. Limit food and drink sharing.
• Clean after visits from delivery services.
• Increase ventilation by opening windows and adjusting HVAC systems.

Other ideas:

• Designate drop locations for documents and checks. These locations may be on porches or lobbies. But don’t forget security! We added a new, locked drop box to the exterior of our office.
• Mail or wire all funds. Don’t allow anyone to wait for checks in your office.
• Sadly, don’t allow hand-shaking or hugging!
• Advise anyone who feels sick to stay away! This includes your valuable staff members.
• Use powers of attorney.
• Use open spaces for meetings.
• Use Plexiglass to separate individuals.

All of these ideas, of course, are not useful for every office. Use your best efforts! I heard a horror story about a closing office where staff members came to work despite feeling ill. The result? Individuals from twenty closings were infected. Don’t allow a horror story to occur in your office.

Please share ideas with me. I would love to add to this list to benefit everyone!

Stay safe and well out there!