Zillow has joined with other iBuyers in restarting their home-flipping services while the market inches slowly back to normalcy. In fact, the US property portal giant had announced that homeowners in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina can now utilize Zillow Offers again.
The reasoning behind suspending iBuying was due to rising health concerns and government issues quarantine measures. With states slowly coming out of lockdown for the summer season, Zillow is taking up the house-flipping mantel again, but this time with more precautions.
Dubbed the ‘Move Forward. Stay Safe.’ campaign, this new health safety initiative is launching to support the safety of customers, employees, and partners.
With aide from Former US Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, as the Zillow’s new Health Advisor, the campaign includes top industry health safety standards combined with Zillow’s innovative virtual technology to offer consumers a safer way to buy and sell a home.
Dr. Benjamin said:
"I've dedicated my career to health and wellness. My role as Zillow's health advisor is a continuation of my commitment to prevention and population Health. Shelter - a healthy home - is a basic essential we all strive for. As people venture into the real estate market, it's critical they have precise information and guidelines on how to stay safe during every part of their move. From listing, to shopping, to closing documents, we must minimize risk and protect each other. I am pleased to join Zillow in its dedication to public health through this new initiative."
Zillow’s President, Jeremy Wacksman, said:
"We are excited to begin purchasing homes again, and making it even easier for home sellers to move -- with new cleaning protocols and more virtual tools and services.”
Moving forward, all Zillow-owned homes will follow a Clean, Protective, Distance (CPD) protocol. Listed homes will receive an additional deep cleaning before opening for viewings. All in-person showings will require personal protective equipment like masks and gloves while all parties involved are expected to continue practicing social distancing.
Wacksman continued:
"These past two months have confirmed our belief that real estate is resilient. In fact, we've seen that people - despite these uncertain times - still want to move. Zillow Offers gives them a safe, seamless way to do so, whether selling or buying."