Perhaps you had your heart set on selling a house before the Covid-19 outbreak, or maybe the onset of the global pandemic forced your hand? Either way, we have adapted our working practices in order to safely help you sell in these challenging times.
While selling your home right now will be a little different, it is not necessarily a bad time to do so. House prices are relatively unchanged at this time and all of our usual channels (Zoopla, Rightmove, On The Market and PrimeLocation, plus our website and social media platforms) are operating and busy with potential buyers.
Interest in new properties coming onto the market is very strong. Is this because we all have more time on our hands to plan new futures from home? Or perhaps the upheaval of lockdown has encouraged people to consider moving out of cities or closer to family?
A lot about the housing market is unknown at the moment but we are encouraged by high levels of online traffic, viewings and appraisal requests.
So, if you’ve decided to sell now, what are the next steps?
Prepare for viewings thoroughly
You can still visit DIY stores and it’s important to spruce up, including cleaning carpets and windows, painting over scuff marks and making sure the garden is presentable and attractive to home movers.
Read our handy guides to decluttering, cleaning, presentation and preparing for viewings here.
Remember, virtual viewings are the first port of call and may be even more demanding than physical ones! Rather than an overall impression gleaned through a brief physical visit, buyers may look back over your property again and again before booking to view in person. Although on the up-side you don’t need to worry so much about those lingering pet odours…
Talk to us about tailoring your virtual content
Give us all the info to make sure that we capture the best entrance, angles, views and features of your property when creating your bespoke digital content.
If there is a great walk on your doorstep, or a beauty spot just around the corner, let us know so that we can show it to potential buyers. Our digital packages help sell the Cornish lifestyle so make sure we know the highlights offered by your unique location!
If we can’t do this for you for reasons relating to the virus, perhaps you are self-isolating for instance, we may ask you to do it yourself. So, why not show buyers your favourite sunny spot in the garden, or highlights from your daily run in the neighbourhood?
Leave the socially-distanced awkwardness to us!
Those potential buyers who have fallen in love with your property digitally will want to visit in person. This means fewer visits and only from serious buyers, a big bonus for sellers like you!
We have a detailed safety policy for carrying out viewings and will thoroughly brief all parties before any visits to ensure compliance.
For example, you will be asked to vacate your property 10 minutes before any viewings to minimise unnecessary contact. We ask for all internal doors to be left open to avoid having to touch door handles, and weather permitting we suggest windows are also opened for ventilation.
Luckily for you no awkward air hand-shakes or two-metre chats – that all falls to us!
You can find out more about our safety procedures for sellers here.
If you have any concerns or specific questions about selling a house during Covid-19 please email or call us. Our team are all working remotely but continue to be just as active and engaged with our clients and current property portfolio, and we’d love to hear from you.
