28 Jan Buying and Selling in 2021
The property market has been able to continue trading throughout most of the 2020 lockdown and so far, this year we have continued to keep people moving and taking advantage of the government schemes which can save them thousands on their next move.
Our office has been open by appointment only, which has enabled us to get all property transactions over the line before the Stamp Duty Holiday deadline. We take a look at how are we working at the moment and what has changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It’s not looking like we’ll be ‘back to normal’ any time soon so how are we keeping people moving while in lock down and throughout the pandemic? At the time of writing (27/01/2021) the market is still buoyant and so, if you are looking to move in the near future make sure you get in touch with us on 01753 683000 or email us.
Bringing your property to market
We now offer professional 360 video tours when marketing your property, the current guidelines permit estate agents to visit your property to take video content and photograph your home. While this sounds like business as usual, there are a couple of things to consider to help keep all parties safe.
You are likely to want to have your home photographed when it is clean, so make sure that all surfaces are wiped down with normal cleaning products. Light switches and door handles should be paid special attention, leave internal doors open to prevent unnecessary contact. It is also recommended that you wear a mask when greeting the agent or photographer.
All of our agents and photographers will arrive equipped with their own hand sanitiser and PPE. We recommend that there is no shaking of hands and they will touch as little as possible in order to get the task completed on time.
Viewings
Potentially, viewing properties and having people to your home to view it can be risky. However, we have a number of safety processes in order to keep this risk to a minimum. If you are having people round to view your property, we insist that everyone has their own PPE and sanitiser. We limit the number of people visiting the property to two adults at a time and we allow extra time between viewings in order to properly sanitise any surfaces which may have been touched by potential buyers – such as the afore mentioned light switches and door handles.
We recommend that people view properties online and only request a physical viewing if they have a genuine interest in the property. If anyone in either party’s household is showing symptoms of Covid-19 then we insist that they self-isolate and not participate in any viewings.
Offer to buy a property
As far as making and accepting an offer on a property, nothing has changed. This is usually a process that is undertaken online or over the phone and so there is no risk of spreading the virus at this stage. It is; however, worth being prepared for delays. No one knows what is going to happen next regarding the virus and so you will need to be patient as we all contest with the obstacles with which we are presented.
Surveys and Searches
Once your offer has been accepted and you move to this stage the professional surveyors will conduct their surveys. They will have their own safety measures in place and so, no change will need to be made to this part of the process. Their surveys will be by appointment only, they will have their own PPE, they will minimise any contact with the current occupant and surfaces and they will complete only the tasks they need to leave with sufficient information for their report.
Searches are predominantly carried out by your legal representative and so there is no change to this stage of the process. Again, the pandemic has meant that many people are working remotely and so you will need to be patient when waiting for the search results.
Exchanging and Completing
The final paperwork step in the process might feel like the most frustrating during this difficult time. The core message throughout the entire transaction process it is important to try and remain calm and patient.
Your legal representative will work some flexibility clauses into the final contracts and documents to ensure that you can complete your move. There are likely to be delays at all stages of the process but specifically in this final one. If one member of the property chain has to isolate, you are likely to see a delay – this doesn’t always happen but it’s worth preparing for it.
Moving Home
At the moment the demand for removal companies is at a record high due to the boom in property transactions. A removal firm will have their own safety protocols in place to help them stay safe when moving your belongings out of your old and into your new home. We can recommend a removal company who take great care and attention to your personal effects.
In this complicated time it is important to be fluid in your planning; you may find that your local removal companies are unable to help you on the day you need them due to demand. If this happens you are allowed to enlist the help of one other household. Of course, it is recommended that you adhere to the Government’s social distancing and hygiene measures.
Get in Touch
If you would like to talk to a member of our expert team about your property and getting compliant, make sure you contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. As the leading independent letting agents in Colnbrook and the surrounding areas we are location experts and are always happy to help. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.