On the blog today we thought we would answer some popular questions regarding the property market during covid-19, and the current situation. We also discuss people’s understandable concerns now that the government has given the go-ahead for distanced viewings of properties to commence.
And who better to talk to than Bromley Property Company Director, Lewis McKale, who let’s us know how it’s been the last couple of months as an estate agent, what the future holds property-wise and how we’re going to be keeping both buyers and sellers safe in the current climate…
How has Bromley Property Company been able to keep working throughout the Coronavirus crisis?
Its been a very worrying time for everyone in the world and certainly has faced us all with tests we would rather not have to face. However we are fortunate with the way we set our business up with everyone working from home that we didn’t have the same running costs as a high street agent, and everyone was actually able to carry on working in the same environment that they were used to. We asked all of our vendors to provide us with a video tour of their home that we then edited and posted to our Facebook page and linked to in our website listings.
Have you still had people interested in properties, or wanting to put their own property on the market in the Bromley area?
Yes there are people that want to still move as-and-when the government say its okay to do so, so the majority of the sales we had agreed prior to Covid-19 are still intact, as people have been waiting for the green light to get moving. Obviously valuing properties has been challenging but we have conducted a number of video valuations over the last few weeks and we now have a number of new properties hitting the market now that we are allowed to conduct viewings with social distancing measures in place.
The government has now said that agents can get back to work and conduct viewings once again (albeit socially distancing)- how will you ensure the safety of staff and clients?
We are wearing necessary protective equipment on viewings such as gloves and masks and we are also offering the clients gloves and masks to wear as well. Obviously we are social distancing as well. With valuations we are asking the clients to stay in the garden if they have one whilst we look round the house and then we are leaving and having a phone conversation about the value of the house. You can see the guidelines that we have to follow over on this post on our blog.
Are you concerned about the effect on the UK property market that covid-19 has had, or do you think it will bounce back?
Of course there is a worry as no one has a crystal ball, however since we have returned to work we have found that demand still seems pretty high and plenty of people are arranging viewings and wanting to view our video tours. As long as the demand for property stays strong, then hopefully the market will remain as it is.
What are you top tips for people wanting to sell in the current crisis?
Create a video tour that we can edit and post on social media, make sure the house looks great for photos, only allow people to view your property that are in a proceedable position, listen to the advice your agent gives you!
