Selling your house is rarely easy, and in the middle of a pandemic, the prospect is more daunting than ever. However, if you need to move to a new house, it is still possible to sell your home in the middle of the Coronavirus lockdown. In fact, the National Police Chiefs’ Council confirmed on 16 April 2020 that it is legal to move between households for the purpose of moving house, so the property market is not expected to come to a complete standstill.
Follow these tips to make the process as painless as possible, so when lockdown finally ends, you will be in a good position to move swiftly:
1. Do your research
Use the lockdown time to do plenty of research into your local housing market and work out a realistic value of your property. Make notes on the square footage of similar properties with the same number of bedrooms and amenities, such as garages and outside space. You can easily find a wealth of information on Zoopla, Rightmove and the Agent Guide.
2. Select an estate agent
Whether you want to take charge of the process yourself, use an online estate agent, or opt for the services of a traditional bricks and mortar estate agent, you have ample time to research which one might be right for you using websites such as AllAgents.
Most people are at home at the moment, so take the time to connect with friends and family and ask for recommendations. Word of mouth is often the best way to find estate agents which provide exceptional service and offer great value.
3. Market your house with virtual viewings
Many online estate agents now offer virtual viewings. These allow you to market your property without the risk of face to face contact with the estate agent or the buyer. Revvis is a platform, for example, that allows prospective buyers to virtually walk through new build homes, even before they have been built. Property experts are hailing this as the future as the service also allows viewers to play with paint, furniture and decor and VR headsets can also be deployed. Offering convenience and flexibility; virtual viewings enable people to get a real sense of the appearance of your home.
Another platform is Giraffe which offers a 360-degree virtual walkthrough service and is used by many sales and lettings agents as a means to let interested clients homes for sale from the comfort of their own homes.
3. Online valuation
Estate agencies may be closed, but the estate agents are open for business, albeit via remote working from their own homes. They might be reluctant to take on a new property at the moment but don’t be disheartened. Talk to them via Zoom or telephone, to discuss a realistic valuation subject to a physical visit once lockdown restrictions end. They may be able to put you in contact with interested parties.
4. Spruce up your home
Lockdown is also the perfect time to make your home look as good as possible ahead of viewings. You can take care of all those DIY jobs you may have been putting off. While most property experts advise against installing costly kitchens and bathrooms to increase the value of yuor home, it is essential to ensure that your property looks as clean and uncluttered as possible. So tidy up your garden, plant some bright annuals and ensure all worktops and surfaces are clear. You don’t have to start any major renovations, but a fresh coat of paint will make all the difference. The good news is that some local building supply companies and garden centres are re-opening this week, although often with a reduced service, so it should be possible to buy some supplies if necessary.
What should you do if you receive an offer?
If you are happy with the offer, you can accept it. However, you should be mindful that the process towards exchanging contracts is likely to be much lengthier than usual. The government is currently advising people to delay exchanging contracts until the lockdown ends. Surveyors are also unlikely to be available. Your sale will happen – but it will probably be at a later date.
