Selling & Buying Property During Covid-19

SELLING & BUYING PROPERTY During COVID-19

GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT www.gth.net

KEEPING YOU MOVING Introduction

It's been an exceptionally difficult time for people looking to buy or sell their homes

Currently, we are able to conduct market appraisals and viewings on properties,

and we'd like to thank you for your patience during this time.

which means we can actively progress sales.

Since the government announced their plans to ease the restrictions on the property market, we have put procedures in place to ensure that all our activities are carried out safely.

The health and safety of our staff and clients is our absolute priority, and while we are busy getting people in the South West moving once more, we can only do so with strict measures in place.

We are, however, aware that the difficult times aren't over, and that for those looking to buy and sell, there's a lot of uncertainty and questions.

As always, please contact your local GTH office to discuss your property journey.

In the meantime, we hope that this guide will go some way to help you understand how COVID-19 is impacting the property market and your future sale or purchase.

GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT www.gth.net

There are many variables and external factors that can impact on the progress of a sale and the current circumstances have added an extra dimension. At the time of writing, the following steps in the sales process have been adapted as detailed on the right.

THE SALES PROCESS

COVID-19 ADAPTATIONS

VALUATION & LISTING

Receive a market appraisal to determine your property's value and instructing your chosen estate agent to put your property on the market.

MARKETING

Beautifully presented brochures, portal listings, our website, 'for sale' boards, advertising, editorial and social media combine to bring your property the attention it deserves.

VIEWINGS

Prospective buyers arrange to view your property by appointment. Usually this is accompanied by our agent.

GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT www.gth.net

Our offices are open and clients can visit by appointment. We will arrange a visit to value your home, adhering to strict social distancing rules and wearing PPE.

This remains mostly unaffected although video content provided by you, your agent or an external supplier helps get your property noticed online.

This is the stage most directly impacted, with all parties subject to strict safety precautions. Please see the Viewings section for more in-depth details.

THE SALES PROCESS

COVID-19 ADAPTATIONS

OFFERSÂ & NEGOTIATIONS

Most offers and subsequent negotiations can be done via email or phone. Survey and/or mortgage valuations for the buyer will be undertaken with safety precautions.

We will discuss these with you and check the buyer's ability to proceed. Our skilled negotiators will work in your best interests.

EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS The part where you can breath a sigh of relief. The exchange of contracts legally binds the sale of the property.

COMPLETION & MOVING IN The day where it's time to move out, hand over the keys, and the new buyers move into their new home!

GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT www.gth.net

Again, this can usually be completed remotely. We will arrange an in-office appointment for you if required.

Completions are proceeding as normal but check with your removal company for any new procedures they may have put in place.

VIEWINGS We are pleased that we are able to help our clients get moving again and that viewings are permitted. Each viewing request will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, but here is a summary of our procedures:

SELLERS

We do ask that when viewings are held at your property, you follow a set of guidelines. A summary of these are: Please disinfect internal and external door handles before and after.

Open all the internal doors prior to the viewing.

During an agent accompanied viewing, we kindly ask that you vacate the house and stand in the garden, or stay in a car or outbuilding during poor weather conditions.

BUYERS

We ask that all buyers continue to study online floorplans, photos and virtual walk through videos (where applicable), before committing to an in-person viewing. A summary of our procedures for buyers:

When booking a viewing, you will be asked if you or anyone you have had contact with is showing symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate and we will request email confirmation. If this situation changes before the day of the viewing, you must notify us by phone immediately.

You will be asked to sanitise your hands before and after you view the property (please bring your own hand sanitiser). Sellers will endeavour to supply soap and water, but this cannot be guaranteed.

Please bring your own facemask or visor (homemade or manufactured) as this must be worn when viewing internal areas and confined spaces.

Please stay at least two metres away from nonparty members where physically possible.

Please be advised that you will not be allowed to use the toilet facilities at the property.

GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT www.gth.net

OVERVIEW OF OUR PROCEDURES FACE COVERINGS

2 METRES APART

Please arrive at viewings wearing facemasks or face coverings for the duration of the appointment. Our team will be wearing them during in-person meetings.

Where possible, we ask that all parties remain 2 metres apart throughout the appointment. This applies to both interior and exterior viewings of properties.

WASH YOUR HANDS

TRAVELLING

All clients will be asked to wash their hands, or use hand sanitiser on all viewings when arriving and leaving the property. We ask vendors to leave all interior doors open where possible to avoid unnecessary touching.

It will not be possible for agents to drive clients to appointments for the foreseeable future. Please make your own travel arrangements. If travelling far, please take measures to safeguard yourself and the local community.

DIGITAL ALTERNATIVES

PRE- BOOKED APPOINTMENTS

Whilst we are able to undertake in-person appointments, depending on your circumstances, you may want to consider our digital alternatives which include phone and video-call consultations and virtual viewing technology.

Our offices will be open, however, we ask that (except in an emergency) you pre-book an appointment. This will ensure we are able to ensure social distancing with you and our staff in the office.

GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT www.gth.net

We are seeing a strong demand for property in the West Country. Pictured is a small sample of the properties we have sold since lockdown began.

GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT www.gth.net

WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING YOU ON YOUR PROPERTY JOURNEY, SAFELY.

Get in touch with your local GTH office www.gth.net/contact

GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT www.gth.net