As you probably already know, I mean how can you miss it, if you watch the news or scroll through Facebook, there’s no way to avoid the impact the virus has had on our society.  In Wisconsin, the Governor has issued a Safer at Home Order.  There are exceptions for “essential businesses”, including real estate.  So if you’re in the middle of a real estate transaction or just listed your home for sale (I’m actually also in the latter group) you may be concerned about people being in your home for showings and inspections.

I have compiled a list of items that should be sanitized after a showing or an inspection.  This list is mainly items that I touch/operate during a normal inspection, but many of these items are also touched or operated during a showing for sure.

Prior to the showing there are things that you can do to prevent the touching of certain items, like having all doors and maybe even cabinets open and having the lights on.  Most buyers will likely still close these items and turn the lights off, I know I do when I do inspections.  So here is a list of interior items that should be sanitized after a showing or inspection:

Kitchen:

• Cabinet knobs/handles
• Light switches and switch plate covers
• Outlets and covers (mainly inspections only)
• Window latches and handles
• All faucets and handles
• Dishwasher and refrigerator handles
• Door handles/locksets

Interior rooms/hall/Staircases:

• Door handles/locksets
• Guardrails and handrails
• Outlets and covers (mainly inspections only)
• Switches  and covers
• Window handles and latches

Bathrooms

• Switches and covers
• Outlets and covers (mainly inspections only)
• Toilet handles and tank covers
• Faucet handles
• Door handles/locksets

Garages

• Overhead door operator button
• Window handles and latches
• Outlets and covers (mainly inspections only)
• Switches and covers
• Door handles/locksets

Basement (this list is mainly for inspections only)

• Handrails (showings too)
• Outlets and covers (mainly inspections only)
• Switches and covers (showings too)
• The electrical panel cover including the fasteners
• The furnace removable cover and fasteners

This list is by no means all inclusive but it does give you a list of items you may not know are touched during a home inspection or showing.

I currently am taking measures to sanitize my equipment including my tools, tool bag, foot covers, and all other items I take into homes.  This happens between every job to reduce any issues.  I also stop several times during the inspection to either wash or sanitize my hands.

As it stands of this writing, it looks like real estate is going to keep chugging along.  So if you can’t avoid others touring your home, these steps may help protect you and your family.

I hope this post was informative. As always, if you have any home related questions, please send them to me via the email address below.  I will always help as much as I can.

-AZ

Aaron M. Zuehlke is the owner and inspector at Zuehlke Inspection Service, LLC, a full-service home inspection company serving Southern Wisconsin. Specializing in Home inspection, Radon Testing, Mold Testing/inspection and Residential Thermal Imaging.  He also manages several rental properties through Zuehlke Properties, LLC. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling the office at 608-931-7485.