The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly impacted on just about every aspect of our lives, and looks to be a major disruption for the foreseeable future.  But life has to go one, and we have to get back to doing all those things that make up life.  We are starting to get back to the shops, so we should also start getting back to buying and selling our houses.

The rise of COVID has made people assess what they want from their lives, and Rightmove recorded its biggest ever spike in people browsing for properties on 27^th of May this year, just as lockdown was starting to slack.  Plainly, people are looking for alternatives to the close-knit living that we have been used to, and want to spread out a bit more.  But can you do anything other than just browse properties during lockdown, and what can you do now that the lockdown is easing?

Can You View a Property?  This is where technology lends a hand. Many estate agents are now offering virtual tours online and you should always use this as the first option if available. If you absolutely have to arrange a viewing, use suitable PPE and maintain social distancing. Never just turn up at a property.

Can You Have Searches carried out?  The government has said you can go ahead and instruct your solicitor to carry out local searches since these can be done remotely.  It becomes more of a problem if your solicitor has to physically go to find information since certain offices may not be open or might be on reduced hours, and social distancing must be maintained.

Can You Make an Offer?  Yes, you can.  If you have found that perfect home, feel free to make an offer – it might even be worth haggling on price – but you have to appreciate that it could take a good deal longer to actually complete the purchase.

Can You Get a Survey?  Yes, you should be able to get a survey. However, your surveyor must follow strict social distancing rules and there are rules:

• Surveyors should not enter a property where a member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating.
• Where possible the Government encourage inspections to take place by appointment only, with one person visiting the property at any time.

The issue with not allowing people to mix in the property crops up again and again, particularly if you are set to exchange contracts and other instances where you are likely to physically meet people.

But how about if you have actually completed the sale?  You can now get removal firms in to help you move but you must follow certain rules:

• You should also try and do as much of the packing yourself as possible, and leave only large items to the removal firm.
• You should clean your belongings with domestic antibacterial cleaning products before they are handled by others outside of your family.
• You should ensure that any internal doors are open in both properties and seek to minimise your contact with the removal workers, maintain social distancing where possible.
• Everyone should wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces where possible to reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus. Wear disposable gloves where possible.
• You should not provide refreshments to the removal firm.

If you are considering a new home and are looking for a mortgage, come and chat to us at Grange Mortgages, and see how we can help you.