How To Sell A House During Coronavirus

- The government relaxed lockdown restrictions on the housing market on May 13th, making it possible to now resume marketing properties.
- Estate agents can now reopen, viewings can be arranged, and conveyancers and removals firms can get back into business.
- Social distancing and health and safety rules must be followed and adhered to.
- It was estimated that more than 450,000 house moves were put on hold during the height of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
- Can You Sell A House During The Coronavirus Lockdown?
- Should You Sell A House During The Coronavirus Lockdown?
- Will Coronavirus Affect The Sale Of Your Home?
- What Are Some Of The Problems With Buying Or Selling A Property During The Coronavirus Lockdown?
- What Should You Do If Your House Is Still For Sale During The Coronavirus Lockdown?
Can You Sell A House During The Coronavirus Lockdown?
Since the coronavirus pandemic originating in China1 caused restrictions on movement and the economy all over the world, there has been chaos on the real estate market. However, with the relaxation of lockdown restrictions2 on the housing market on May 13th, it should now be possible to resume marketing properties. But the coronavirus pandemic isn’t over, and everyone in the property chain has to be aware that things are not entirely back to normal, and precautions must still be taken against spreading the COVID-19 disease. You must be prepared for the recovery of the property market to be slow, and for the sales process to be equally slow – it may no longer be possible to sell a house fast. Estate agents can now reopen, viewings can be arranged, and conveyancers and removals firms can get back into business. However, social distancing and health and safety rules must be followed and adhered to.3Should You Sell A House During The Coronavirus Lockdown?
It’s been estimated that since the coronavirus lockdown started in March 2020, more than 450,000 house moves have been put on hold. But both buyer and renters should now be able to resume the process if suitable precautions are taken. It’s difficult to say how much the property market may have been affected by the shutdown until more data is available. It’s possible that after a brief fall property prices will bounce back quickly4, but there could be a long-term depressive effect also. It will take some time until the whole property chain, from architects to surveyors to builders will be in full recovery. Until the lockdown is completely lifted there may also be difficulties in finding trades and service people such as cleaners and movers. Need Help Selling Your Home Fast? Get a Free Cash OfferWill Coronavirus Affect The Sale Of Your Home?
Estate agents are suggesting that buyers, sellers and tenants have been fairly quick to return to the market, but interest in homes for sale is understandably below that reported at the same time last year. On the day sales listing resumed, numbers were down by 65 percent on the same time last year, though by the end of May one London agent reported some recovery, with enquiries down only seven percent. The question is whether lockdown will affect valuations and prices in the long term. At the moment, valuers have little to go on except March values, and a lack of supply may be keeping prices steady. But it may be some time before it becomes clear what the long-term effects of the lockdown period will be.What Are Some Of The Problems With Buying Or Selling A Property During The Coronavirus Lockdown?
While the property selling process can now resume, it will by no means be ‘business as usual’ until the pandemic is completely over. The government has called on “all parties involved to be as flexible as possible over this period and be prepared to delay moves, for example if someone becomes ill with coronavirus during the moving process or has to self-isolate.”5 If you are hoping to sell your house fast, you may have to adjust your expectations. While some processes like photographing properties are becoming normalised, issues remain around viewings, which have to conform to social distancing guidelines. For instance, the majority of property searches may now be done online rather than through estate agents offices, and viewings have to be arranged with safety in mind, for instance:- Open house viewings should not take place
- Viewings should be by appointment only with the minimum of people involved.
- Viewers should all be from the same household.
- No-one showing any coronavirus symptoms should be involved with viewings.
- When physically viewing properties you should avoid touching surfaces, bring your own hand sanitiser, wash hands regularly and clean surfaces and handles afterwards.
- If children are present get them to wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces
- Open internal doors before viewing to minimise contact
- Ideally a property should be vacant when viewed
- Social distancing guidelines should be observed throughout the viewing process
- Anyone involved in any aspect of the home moving process should practice social distancing in line with public health advice.
- Follow-up visits for purposes such as measuring up or electrical or plumbing inspection should follow the same guidelines
What Should You Do If Your House Is Still For Sale During The Coronavirus Lockdown?
While it’s difficult to say at this early stage how much the coronavirus pandemic may affect property prices in the long term, equally important will be the changes in the housing market brought about by post-pandemic trends. For instance, many people who have been forced to work at home may decide that it has its advantages, and they may wish to continue benefitting from a reduced commute. Home working space, good wi-fi, and a garden big enough to create a home working outbuilding may become a priority. While surveyors can return to work, the market may slow down as they will have to cope with certain restrictions7, such as:- Surveyors should not enter a property where a member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating.
- Inspections to take place by appointment only, with one person visiting the property at any time. Surveyors should follow government guidance for professionals working in other people’s homes and guidance on social distancing.
- If your home is being surveyed, you should ensure the surveyor has access to all the parts of the property they need to inspect, and make efforts to minimise contact with the surveyor, for example by staying in another room whilst they are inspecting your home.
- "How did coronavirus start and where did it come from? Was it really Wuhan’s animal market?". https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/28/how-did-the-coronavirus-start-where-did-it-come-from-how-did-it-spread-humans-was-it-really-bats-pangolins-wuhan-animal-market. Last accessed 23rd Jun 2020.
- "Minister confirms brakes are off the English property market". lockdown://propertyindustryeye.com/minister-confirms-brakes-are-off-the-english-property-market-lockdown/. Last accessed 23rd Jun 2020.
- “Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak”.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak. Last accessed 23rd June 2020.
- “Zoopla Cities Index - April 2020”. https://www.zoopla.co.uk/discover/property-news/zoopla-cities-index-april-2020/. Last accessed 23rd June 2020.
- “Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak”. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak. Last accessed 23rd June 2020.
- “House prices after coronavirus:five-year forecast shows property market could fall as much as 10% this year before rebounding”. https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/house-prices-uk-coronavirus-lockdown-a138086.html. Last accessed 23rd June 2020.
- “Guidance for professionals, Beyond COVID-19: Reopening Guides”. https://www.rics.org/uk/news-insight/latest-news/coronavirus-and-rics-events/guidance-for-professionals/. Last accessed 23rd June 2020.
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