15 Jan Moving during the 2021 lock down

Well, the first week of 2021 didn’t quite prove to be the big swing back to normality we were all hoping for. It seems that 2021 has started off in much the same way 2020 finished; and with stricter lock down restrictions on the horizon, we are very pleased that the property market is able to remain open.

In the second half of 2020 we were inundated with enquiries and properties coming to market; in fact, the property industry has been pivotal in keeping the economy afloat and will continue to play an important role in its recovery.

With thousands of transactions mid-way to completion across the country, our remaining open will come as a beacon of hope for all of those people looking to move before the end of the Stamp Duty Holiday in March.

So, if you are thinking of making your move, we are always adding to our amazing catalogue of properties for sale in Virginia Water and the surrounding areas so, visit our award-winning website or call us on 01344 843000 and email us.

You can still bring your property to market, buy and sell property and move home but you will need to be prepared to follow the Government guidelines in order to stay compliant and safe. Obviously, if at any point you or a member of your household starts to show symptoms of Covid-19 you must isolate immediately.

Preparing to buy, sell or move home

When bringing your property to market permitted for estate agents to visit in order to take photos/videos of your property. When you are looking for properties, it is recommended that you initially search online, and only visit a property in person when you are seriously considering making an offer on it.

Viewings

It is important to note that if you or any member of your household is showing symptoms of COVID-19 or is self-isolating, then estate agents and potential buyers should not visit your property in person.

We are only conducting in-person viewing by appointment and we are taking every precaution to ensure that we keep our clients and staff safe. When viewing a property, we require that all parties wear masks and, where possible gloves. We will also allow more time between viewings to give us opportunity to wipe down any surfaces which may have been touched, such as light switches and door handles.

Making an Offer

Making offers on properties will not be affected. The property market is open and we are all free to proceed with business as usual; however, it is important to understand that the pandemic could delay some components of the transaction due to people within the chain being affected by Covid-19, it is important that your legal adviser makes sure that the contracts and agreements are as flexible as possible to accommodate this risk.

Searches and Surveys

In terms of searches, your legal adviser should be able to conduct these online, the only searches which may be affected are those carried out by external parties at local authority head office who have been affected by the Virus.

Surveys can be carried out as normal. There are no restrictions on the types of survey which can be carried out; however, anyone entering a property must do so by appointment only and come equipped with the appropriate PPE – they should also minimise any contact with the occupant.

Agreeing to Move

Once you have exchanged contracts you are ready to go; as mentioned above we recommend that you are stay as flexible as possible and be prepared for delays to reduce your disappointment should this occur, for example your move could be delayed due to a member of the chain having to isolate. Your legal adviser will be able to help you out with a flexible agreement to mitigate the risk.

Moving

Removal companies will be able to continue business as usual providing they take the same safety precautions they have been since the market reopened from the previous lock down in May 2020.

Due to high demand and the fluid nature of this process at this current time, we advise that you speak to your chosen removal firm well in advance to ensure that they can accommodate your requirements. If your removal firm is unavailable you are allowed to enlist the help of one household; however, social distancing and hygiene measures should be followed where possible.

So, as you can see there is nothing stopping the process of moving home, but you will need to remain vigilant. Most of us in the UK have been living in this situation for the last 9-12 months and so most of the guidance is now second nature.

The important thing to remember is that we all have a responsibility to keep one another safe from the spread of the virus.

Get in Touch

If you are thinking of moving to the area, make sure you take a look at our amazing catalogue of properties for sale in Virginia Water and the surrounding areas.

If you’d like to speak to someone about properties to let in Virginia Water, a member of our expert team would be happy to help. You can call us on 01344 843000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.