We are still having to live with the covid pandemic and we are all learning to do things much differently than before and it's the same for selling your home.
How do you sell your home with confidence during a pandemic?
Since the pandemic potential buyers now have two ways to view your home; virtually and in person.
In both scenarios, you must get the home prepared.
How should you prepare your home for potential buyers?
Getting your home prepared
First impressions are hugely important when selling your home so make sure the front garden is tidy, brush away any leaves and give the front door and windows a good clean. Also, make sure your car or bins do not block the view of your property when people approach it. Make your home appealing to potential buyers by making sure each room looks nice. Give your home a good clean, remove clutter, fluff up your sofas and cushions and straighten curtains and blinds. Always make sure to replace any dead flowers, fix broken shelves and finish any other small DIY tasks around the home.
Virtual viewings
In the early stages of the pandemic, virtual viewings became very popular, and sellers and buyers made the transition to operating remotely extremely well.
Viewings should initially be done virtually and only if there is a strong interest, and a desire to see the home to inspect it physically, only then should an in-person viewing go ahead.
To conduct a virtual viewing you will need to have an app like Zoom or WhatsApp and good wifi. Zoom allows you to record the viewing which you can then send to the potential buyer. It's always good to livestream the viewing and not just send a prerecorded video out because many buyers will want to ask questions.
Just like an in-person viewing make sure that there is nothing personal lying around that you wouldn't want anyone to see.
In-person viewings
Once someone is genuinely interested then you can organise in-person viewings by appointment only. abbotFox would liaise with you on all the appointments and allocate a COVID-trained viewing representative.
Make sure that all doors and windows are open for when your potential buyers arrive. Make sure to provide hand washing facilities and paper towels as well as hand sanitiser.
Buyers are told not to touch anything so don't encourage them otherwise. Buyers are briefed on social distancing and wearing masks and you must also abide by social distancing rules and wear a mask. Once the viewing has taken place you should wipe and sanitise everything, then dispose of paper towels and wash any cloths that were used for cleaning.
The need to protect everyone's health is crucial.
If anyone has signs of COVID, a cough or temperature or has come into contact with someone with COVID then they are not permitted to view a property and the same goes for the seller.
Buyers will not be able to view your property if they've just returned from a country on the quarantine list. Sellers should also be prepared to be flexible with dates due to last-minute changes in case someone comes into contact with COVID-19.
There is a lot to consider and some may wonder if they should sell their home right now but we believe that it's a good time to sell.
It's spring, which means lighter and longer days will help with selling homes.
On top of that Government initiatives like the stamp duty holiday and 95% mortgages have fuelled property buyers into taking action; there is currently a buying frenzy. Taking all of that into consideration then it would be a shame to miss out if you've recently been thinking about selling your home.
Thinking of selling your home?
