Buying and Selling Property During the Coronavirus Crisis

Nick Everything Else events, property, sponsored post 4 Comments

As you probably know, during the initial coronavirus lockdown, buying and selling property was almost impossible.

As restrictions are slowly easing, however, house buying and selling has become feasible again. Estate agents have been reporting a big upsurge in enquiries, as the long period of confinement to home has made many people more aware of the shortcomings of their current properties!

Of course, buying and selling houses while the virus remains a threat requires risks to be mitigated as much as possible. That means wearing gloves and masks when meeting agents, buyers or sellers. Following the standard hygiene rules about hand-washing and using hand sanitizers before and after any personal meetings is also vital.

The New Normal

With the need for social distancing and other precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus, valuing and viewing properties has become more challenging. Most agents now offer virtual viewings – generally using a mobile phone camera – as an alternative to personal visits.

Leading online estate agency Yopa has issued the following advice for viewings or valuations…

1. Vulnerable customers: customers that fall under the ‘vulnerable’ group as advised by the government, should let their local Yopa agent know and will then be offered a virtual valuation or viewing until there is government advice that the safety of this group is no longer a concern.
2. Preference: we appreciate that not everyone will want a face-to-face meeting with a Yopa agent yet – in which case, we will happily offer a virtual alternative as we have successfully throughout lockdown to date.  We will keep in touch with you to understand if your preferences change as more information is issued by the government on infection rates and virus control. 
3. Travel: we would advise our customers, where possible, to restrict travel on public transport to attend a valuation or a viewing. 
4. Minimise contact: we ask that, at a minimum, only the buyer or seller of a property is present at a viewing or valuation – no other parties. All non-Yopa attendees should be from the same household.  We would advise that we conduct  viewings and valuations without the vendor present.
5. Distance: When meeting with a Yopa agent on a valuation or a viewing, where possible stand at a 2m distance and refrain from shaking hands.
6. On the property: 
   1. Gaining access:  For vendors, your Yopa agent will call you when you are outside the property to gain access. For buyers, please call your Yopa agent when outside the property to gain access. 
   2. Duration:  Valuation and viewing time should be kept as short as possible to minimize risk.
   3. Air flow: we politely request that all windows and doors are opened in advance of the valuation or viewing where possible, so the Yopa agent and vendor/prospective buyer can move through the property without touching door handles or surfaces.
   4. Refreshments:  whilst very kind of our vendors to offer, we politely ask that refreshments are not offered to our agents whilst on the premises.  
   5. Documentation: as we are a digital business, no paper documentation needs to be transferred between Yopa and our customers – it can all be managed electronically.
   6. Post valuation or viewing: if people have been shown around your current home, you should clean down surfaces, such as door handles, after each viewing with standard cleaning that products.

Yopa say that vendors conducting their own property viewings should complete these in accordance with the recommendations above.

• I would also highly recommend reading this government advice on home-moving during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Yopa Option

If you are thinking of selling your home, an online agency such as Yopa is well worth considering.

They offer a full service, and say they can do anything a traditional estate agent does. They are also open at evenings and weekends.

Yopa charge a fixed fee which is agreed in advance, and never add commission. You can choose to pay when your home is sold, or up-front if you prefer.

Although Yopa are website-based, they have local agents whom they say will be with you at every step until your home is sold. You can also monitor viewings, offers and feedback any time you wish using the YopaHub online dashboard.

Finally, other services offered by Yopa include help with mortgages and conveyancing (via their commercial partners). In addition, every homeowner gets a free utilities switching service.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering moving, it’s definitely not too soon to get started and benefit from the pent-up demand from other would-be buyers and sellers.

So why not check out the Yopa website today and see if their service could be the one to help you make your next move and find the home of your dreams 🙂

As always , if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Yopa. It includes affiliate links, so if you click through and end up making a purchase, I may receive a commission for introducing you. This will not affect in any way the service you receive or the price you pay.