There’s no doubt about it, the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly impacted the property market. From less in-person viewings because of lockdown, to paused processes due to isolation, or even potential buyers pulling out because of a change of circumstances. Selling or letting your home could feel like an overwhelming task that you don’t want to take on right now. However, reports show that, whilst the market has been changed somewhat, it’s not as negatively impacted as you may think – especially for online estate agents. In fact, Rightmove saw almost a 20% increase (year on year) on views to its online property listings in May 2020, at the height of the pandemic and the first lockdown. If you’re looking to sell your home or let your property, you are, by government guidelines allowed to continue to do so, provided you practice safe social distancing. If you’re currently using online estate agents, such as Renterz, then you’re even less likely to be impacted as you can continue to manage the listing yourself from your app, in the safety of your own home. !

Can I Still Sell or Let My Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic? It’s a confusing time knowing whether you can continue with selling or letting your home, or whether the long-term impact of coronavirus on the economy will have a lasting effect, or a much more severe impact on the housing market. As it stands, the housing market seems to be holding up well, with views to online estate agents improving during lockdown. Especially with those in London looking to move to less built up areas. With that in mind, it’s still a healthy market to sell or let your home; people are still looking for properties – whether they have been impacted directly by the pandemic, or whether there are other factors driving them to look for a new place to live. During this pandemic, you can still list your property to be sold or to be rented. The biggest impact you may see to this, is local or national lockdowns prohibiting real-life viewings to the property. However, as mentioned, this is an opportunity to get everything else in order, included photographs of the property, detailed listings and floor plans, or paperwork and contracts. And, when the lockdowns are not in force, viewings can go ahead, but will need to adhere to some social restrictions. !

How to Conduct House Viewings Safely During the Pandemic.

Provided you are not in lockdown, viewings can still go ahead on your property. Here are some tips on how to carry out a property viewing during COVID-19. • Prior to all appointments, check that the person viewing your home has not been feeling unwell or been in contact with a known positive case. • Equally, if you feel unwell, or have been in contact with a known positive case, cancel or rearrange the appointment. • Ensure that there is only one person, or one household that views your home at once. • Social distancing rules must always be observed. • Communicate with the potential buyer or tenant that they must always wear a facemask whilst in your property. • Supply hand sanitiser or request that the house viewer sanitises their hands before coming into your home. • Request that no surfaces are touched during the viewing. If this is unavoidable, ensure that all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned before and after each viewing. • Limit your house viewing to under 15 minutes to minimise the risk of close contact. • Do not shake hands with any viewer, or agent, that comes to your home. • Do not offer refreshments to any viewer, or agent, that comes to your home. • Keep the property well ventilated. • If a longer conversation needs to take place regarding the property, suggest holding this outside. Remember, this is your home, and you must feel safe. Do you not go ahead with any viewing you are uncomfortable with. !

Is it Better to Use an Online Estate Agent During the Pandemic?

There are certainly pros to using an online estate agent during a global pandemic. With social distancing being adhered to, online estate agents would be less impacted than high street agents. One of the reasons could be that online estate agents are already set up to work digitally with processes less impacted by social distancing guidelines. With Renterz, you would still be able to manage and list your property through the app, update any items included photographs or property information, as well continue to communicate with prospective buyers and renters, and manage all paperwork through the integrated platform. If you are in the middle of listing your property, or perhaps just thinking about doing so, but are put off by the current coronavirus pandemic, using a property management app is a great way to get your foot back on the ladder. Looking to list your property but unsure where to start or how to do so with current restrictions? Get in touch with our team who can talk you through the best package for you, and how best to sell or let your home during the coronavirus pandemic.