It goes without saying that buying a home is very, very different now to how it was just a couple of years ago. While you may not be able to explore a property in person, there’s no reason why you have to abandon your dream of finding your forever home entirely. Here at Halls Properties, we know that buying and selling a home during Coronavirus takes a lot of getting used to, and have adapted our services to suit. Here are our top tips for buying a new home in these challenging times.
Virtual Viewings
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve had to make changes to the way we showcase properties to our clients. We’ve always placed an emphasis on high-quality photographs of our properties in East London, and that’s become even more important to us as people explore properties remotely. We also offer potential buyers the chance to explore a property via video! One of our East London estate agents will deliver a video tour of the home you’re interested in, allowing you to see how the property is laid out, how big the rooms are, and giving you the chance to have a closer look at any specific areas of interest.
Nothing beats being able to explore a property in person, but exploring it via video really is the next best thing. We really do encourage our clients to give video viewings a go, as they will allow you to really get to know a property in a way that you just can’t from looking at photographs. You won’t be limited to virtual viewings, however we’re happy to arrange in-person viewings for those seriously interested in a property. The more you familiarise yourself with a house via video first, the easier it is to imagine yourself building a life there.
Take a Look at The Floorplan
While photographs and video viewings can help you to get to know a home, it can be tricky to know how big the rooms are. Furniture plays a huge part in this – a room is always going to look smaller if there’s a lot of clutter or large pieces of furniture. This is why it’s essential to look at the floorplan of a property as well as view it over video. You’ll be able to see exactly how big each room is, and you will be able to figure out if your furniture will fit. You’ll also be able to see where things like windows and doors are located, as well as how the home is laid out overall. This, in conjunction with a video viewing, is how to buy a home during lockdown successfully.
Do Your Research
It’s important that you think about the area too. If you’re just looking at photographs and video footage, it’s very easy to forget about a property’s location – so do your research! Is the property located close to a station that will make your daily commute easier? Does the area have good schools? Are there shops and local amenities for you to take advantage of? We’ve been selling properties in East London for a long time, and we would be only too happy to answer any questions that you have about a property’s location.
The internet is an invaluable tool when it comes to looking for a new home during lockdown. Google Street View will allow you to travel around the area surrounding a property from the comfort of wherever you are. Social media platforms like Facebook also have many residents’ groups as well. So if you want to ask people who live in the area some questions, you’ll be able to do so without even needing to pay them a visit!
We’re Here to Help
We’re still open for business, and we’ve been delighted to show so many people how to buy a home during Coronavirus. We tailor our services to suit the needs of each client, and we will be here for you every step of the way. Whether you’re looking for your first home in East London, you need some more room for a growing family, or you want to downsize, we’ll be able to find you some beautiful homes for you to explore virtually. So why not get in touch today?
Are house viewings allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic?
House viewings are allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with some differences. Before, you may have scheduled lots of viewings in one day, going from property to property in search of your dream home. Now, it’s advised that you conduct any initial viewings by video first, only viewing properties that you are seriously interested in in person.
We provide virtual viewings at our agency, and would be more than happy to show you around a property by video call. If you’re still interested, then we will arrange an in-person viewing at you and the property owner’s earliest convenience.
Can I move home during the COVID-19 lockdown?
There’s a lot of conflicting information surrounding this online, so let us clear things up for you. Yes, you can move home during the current COVID-19 lockdown. The process may be a little different, but buyers and sellers are allowed to proceed. Social distancing should be upheld at all points in the process, and you should try to do as much of the packing yourself as you can.
Buyers and sellers alike should be prepared for delays in the event of someone being diagnosed with COVID-19. They will have to isolate in line with current advice, which will put any move on hold for a short time. So try to keep an open mind, and be patient!
What is the Governments advice on house viewings?
The Government advises that all viewings are by appointment only, and that no ‘open house’ events take place. Homeowners should ideally vacate the property while potential buyers are being shown around in order to minimise the amount of people in an enclosed space. Windows and doors should be left open to maximise air circulation, and face masks should be worn. Further info on this can be found on the gov.uk website here.
If you’re viewing a property, remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser frequently. Try not to touch any surfaces, and try to keep any small children you have with you from doing so as well.
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