So, you’ve decided to sell and find a new forever home. Congratulations! Now, all you have to do is sinch the perfect sale.
The COVID-19 pandemic transformed our day-to-day lives, including the property buying and selling process. Suddenly, selling your home was popped on pause as the world faced the new challenge of coronavirus.
Now, with the vaccination programme well underway in the UK, we’re thrilled to see the property industry getting back on its feet — meaning selling your home is most definitely back on the cards. But how can you increase your chances of a fast and successful sale while keeping your loved ones and potential buyers safe?
Read on to discover our top tips for preparing your home for viewings in the ongoing pandemic. For more information on the current Government guidelines for buying and selling your home click here.
Consider Taking a COVID Test
Depending on how many potential buyers you have scheduled to view your home, as well as the length of time between each viewing, you may wish to take a COVID test beforehand. Obtaining a negative result before welcoming buyers into your property can help minimise the risk of potentially spreading the coronavirus and allow you to take the necessary precautions to keep you and your family safe. A negative test will also show potential buyers that you take their health seriously, demonstrating yourself as a seller they can trust.
You can request a COVID-19 test free-of-charge from the UK GOV website, depending on the following factors:
If you don’t have any coronavirus symptoms, you can request a free rapid lateral flow test pack to be sent to your home via the UK GOV website by clicking here.
If you do have any of the symptoms associated with the coronavirus (high temperature, new continuous cough or a noticeable change in taste or smell), you can order a free PCR test kit straight to your home or book an appointment at a walk-in or drive-through test site. For more information on ordering your free PCR test kit, click here.
Go the Extra Mile on Cleanliness
Now, this may seem an obvious entry, but our second tip for successful house viewings is one of the most effective steps you can take to minimise risk and has the added benefit of making your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers. That’s right, cleaning.
Ensuring your home is not only spick and span but spotlessly clean is a great way to dispel pesky germs and bacteria. Be sure to disinfect your surfaces thoroughly, including doors and handles, to keep you and your guests safe from the coronavirus.
Keep your home well ventilated by opening windows and allowing fresh air to flow through your home before and after house viewings. You can also help decrease transmission by keeping doors and drawers open during the visit, allowing guests to see the spaces in your home without the need to touch anything.
And if you need more motivation to get the marigolds on, remember that a neat house is far more likely to appeal to your viewers than an untidy one — so get scrubbing!
Provide PPE
If you can, consider providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to your guests. Having hand sanitiser, disposable face masks, and even gloves can not only help keep everyone safe, but your viewers are likely to appreciate the extra effort you’ve made.
Not only is this a great exercise in credibility for you as a seller, but going this extra mile can help potential buyers feel more comfortable and relaxed in your home — leaving them with an overall positive experience of your property.
Be sure to maintain social distancing where possible throughout the house viewing. If you have access to an outdoor space, such as a garden, consider waiting outside to allow your guests to move around freely and reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.
Be Prepared to Answer Questions
Our last top tip for house viewings during the ongoing pandemic is to be prepared to answer questions about your home. The trick here is to be as positive as possible while remaining truthful. Make sure you know all there is to know about your property and neighbourhood — be prepared to field questions on everything from your Council Tax bill to your home’s energy efficiency. The more knowledgeable and confident you appear to potential buyers, the more likely your property will sell. But remember, a positive attitude is key!
Want to get in the head of a potential buyer? Read our ‘Questions to Ask When Viewing Properties’ blog here.
Discover the True Value of Your Home, with Beveridge Philp & Ross
Get more for your property and guarantee the best sale possible with Beveridge, Philp and Ross. Contact our expert team of estate agents today for a free, pre-sale valuation of your home. Call us on 0131 554 6244 or email: mail@bprsolicitors.co.uk.