At Secure My Sale we are members of PropertyMark, National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and National Auctioneers and Valuers Association (NAVA) who regularly give great advise and tips about the market we’re in have a look at their guide to;
PROPERTY VIEWINGS AND MOVES IN LIGHT OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
People who are in the process of selling their house and moving to a new home as the UK continues to tackle the transmission of Coronavirus, are left asking ‘What now?’’
First things first, it is essential to stay abreast of current Government and official advice. It is vital that everyone observes the measures that are in place to limit the spread of the virus.
Under current guidance, people who wish to move home can do so as long as all safety measures are carried out. Estate agents can visit your home in order to take photos and videos, prospective buyers are able to view your property and removals companies are able to facilitate home moves.
However, the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved is the most important issue, and although there is now more freedom to move home, public health and Government guidance should always come first. In all instances it is important to adhere to social distancing measures and any physical appointments should be postponed immediately if anyone is self-isolating or showing symptoms of coronavirus.
Adapting existing arrangements
All parties are encouraged to adapt and be flexible, altering their usual practices, agreeing alternative dates to move if necessary.
The guidance states that anyone with symptoms, self-isolating, or shielding from the virus should follow medical advice which will mean not moving for the time being, if at all possible.
Clinically vulnerable and shielded individuals must carefully consider their personal situation and may wish to seek medical advice before decided whether to move. It is important to take a patient approach if you are in a chain with someone who is vulnerable, allowing them time to safely conduct a move.
Much of the anxiety around house moves comes from the contractual terms and Government has tried to ease this pressure through:
Laying down sector specific guidelines;Asking banks and building societies to extend the period prior to the expiry of a mortgage offer;Working with conveyancers to develop a standard legal process for delaying moving completion dates.Listing properties
You can put your home on the market and start to look for properties you want to move to. Agents can list new properties and are able to visit your property to take photos and videos while fully adhering to public health guidance. If any member of the household is showing symptoms or self-isolating then estate agents should not physically visit the property.
Get in touch with the relevant agent to find out what they are offering and how they are working and follow the advice that they put forward. They will be able to explain their own procedures and how they are managing the safety of their staff and clients.
Viewings
Government guidance for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland allows for physically distanced viewings that carefully adhere to public health guidance. It is vital that safety comes first, with the guidance reflecting that with several measures that need to be followed to conduct viewings safely:
Wales only: physical viewings should only take place if the property has been deep cleaned or unoccupied for at least 72 hours.Viewings must only take place with serious buyers who are genuinely interested in the property.Initial viewings should be done online as virtual viewings. We have created a guide on how to conduct your own virtual viewings. Your estate agent can also assist you with this.When conducting physical viewings, they should be done by appointment only and open houses are not permitted.If your home is being viewed, open all windows and doors prior to the viewing taking place and if possible, leave the property for the duration of the viewing.Everyone involved must wash their hands prior to the viewing and handwashing facilities should be made available with separate paper towels if possible.Estate agents will look to restrict the number of people present at the viewing in order to follow social distancing guidelines.Once the viewing has finished, the homeowner should ensure surfaces such as door handles are cleaned.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Before the viewing, your estate agent will confirm with you in writing that you have appropriate protective equipment. If you do not confirm prior to the viewing, your estate agent may cancel the appointment. Our members are working to best practice guidance which outlines the equipment all parties involved should use during viewings, including gloves and face coverings.
This guidance is designed to protect everyone involved with property viewings. It is important that you work with your estate agent and use the appropriate PPE to ensure everyone’s safety.
You can find the full Government guidance on property viewings here.
Offers
Offers continue to be made and accepted on properties, many of which were already on the market and conveyancers are carrying out desk-based valuations and searches using local authority online systems wherever possible.
Prospective buyers who have agreed a sale may wish to visit a property again now restrictions have been lifted. They are now able to do so as long as they follow the same advice for viewings, for example, virtual viewings in the first instance, viewings by appointment only, maintaining social distancing, and following all hygiene guidance.
Purchasers can also now arrange for a tradesperson to carry out inspections. This should again be carried out by appoint and only one person at a time where possible. No tradespeople should enter a property where a member of the household is showing signs of coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating.
Removals
Removal firms can operate but they must adhere to Government guidance which states how and when work can be carried out in people’s homes.
As of 29 June, the property market has taken its first step of re-opening in all of the UK. It is important to understand that this is only the first step of easing restrictions and that social distancing, public health advice, and all Government guidance must be followed to ensure everyone’s safety.
While the property market slowly starts moving again, use this time to ensure that your property is sale ready by completing the Property Information Questionaire.
USEFUL LINK
Gov.uk — Advice on home moving during the COVID-19 outbreak
If you need any further advice or help the team at Secure My Sale are here to assist whether you are selling or buying we can assist – call us at our Grantham Office 01476 825258 or go to our website www.securemysale.co.uk for all your property needs.
