Help Your Agent to Sell During a Pandemic

During the lockdown, many businesses had to shutter to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading. The real estate industry was hit as many people became wary of investing during a pandemic due to economic uncertainties and viewing properties became harder or even impossible.

Like many industries, the property world had to quickly adapt to adhere to social distancing. However, there are some simple steps and precautions that can be taken to help sell a property during a pandemic.

Many real estate agents now have pre-recorded film footage of available units as part of the marketing collateral for prospective buyers to view. To show the property at its best ensure that it is tidy and looking spick and span. You might even want to trial filming it to see how it looks at the end of the camera to make any necessary adjustments.

Equally, many agents now offer virtual viewings where they view a property with a prospective buyer with the use of a video messaging platform. This enables a buyer to ask the agent specific questions of anything they have spotted during the viewing or to direct them to open cupboards and doors. Be flexible in allowing virtual viewings and ensure that the property presents well.

To help reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading either leave the property entirely should you be living there or mask up for in-person or virtual viewings. Even in pre-Covid times, it was often best to allow a potential buyer to have a nose around without being there so that they do not feel like they are intruding to have a proper chance to look around.

Ask anyone entering the property to adequately clean their hands. It is also an idea to reassure the agent and viewers that regularly touched surfaces such as door handles, light switches, keys and cupboards are frequently cleaned to minimise the risk of germs spreading.

Let your agent know that you are happy to do virtual viewings to save them coming to the property and that you are on hand to answer any questions or even take any photos should a potential buyer have a particular query. Showing an agent that you are proactive will help generate offers!