Get Your House Sold Despite Coronavirus Lockdown Impact

Although we are in lockdown and many aspects of our day to day life has changed it is not all doom and gloom.  From adversity comes opportunity and when it comes to making that house move become a reality, there is a lot you can do to help put your house right up there in the easily sold bracket.  With many of us having unexpected additional time on our hands it is a great time to really maximise the value of your home with simple improvements. 
 

What Impact is Coronavirus Having on Selling Your House?

The effects of Coronavirus on the property market is not yet fully clear as there is currently insufficient data available about this.  Instructions to sell property are naturally at an all-time low due to Government lockdown restrictions, and the obvious uncertainties under which we all find ourselves. 

Virtual viewings is as good as it gets for researching potential new homes to purchase, which is fine but seeing the property for real is how most of us would like to make that final all important decision.  Whatever your position is never be pushed into buying or selling decisions whatever the climate. It is too big a decision to reflect on with regret at a later date. 

On the more positive side, sales already in the system are well supported with the extra attention which all estate agents are able to devote. Thus sales continue to progress well towards final completion.  Final completions are, however, being delayed where possible with more emphasis being made on those who really need to move.

The truth is that nobody really knows how the pandemic will affect the property market, not even the experts.  It is clear that the positive upturn seen at the start of 2020 has now dissipated so the market in general will clearly have eased. Based on our own experience of the 2008 financial downturn, and resulting property crisis, we know that everyone involved in the market will have to adapt in order to fare well.  However, since the current situation has not started with a financial crisis, the market may react very differently. 

It is always possible to achieve good outcomes during adversity and we proved this in 2008 when we adapted quickly to the situation.  Instead of relying on house sales alone we moved into the letting market and thankfully we survived and grew as a result.  Now is no different.
 

How Can I Improve My Chances of Selling My Home Despite Lockdown?

Using your time wisely is the best advice we can give right now for anyone who is currently on the market or considering selling their home following lockdown.  Think in terms of that all-important first date.  You don't just wing it do you?  You dress to impress and put your best foot forward.  Now more than ever this is critical to a successful outcome in all property sales.  This means whether you are already on the market or just thinking about going on the market following lockdown the smart homeowner will:

1. Do a deep spring clean of their home.

2. Minimise clutter whilst also working to clear and dispose of rubbish and unwanted items.

3. Arrange furniture for maximum visual effect and spaciousness.

4. Purchase new accessories to give all areas of the home a freshen up and add personality.

5. Be mindful of colours - ensuring they complement one another whilst keeping a balance of light to feel the space and colour schemes to keep individuality.

6. Take time to love their garden with regular maintenance and adding colour with attractive plants and flowers.

 
If your property is already on the market, remember, following any improvements to get new photographs taken showing your home in its best light.  Ensure your agent updates any previous images in their sales media.

If you are unsure how to make your home develop that wow factor then perhaps you could harness support from someone who can.  Valeria from Homepoise can design your rooms online!  She offers advice on furnishings, colour schemes and accessories.  She then researches the internet on your behalf and recommends where you can buy the ideal finishing touches yourself.  Valeria calls it "Colour by Numbers" as she makes it very easy for you.

Putting your home on show at its absolute best will always help to achieve a faster sale but it will also help to achieve your asking price or much closer to it.

Naturally, if you don’t need to sell then your best bet is to wait for now and monitor the market.  Doing your research will always hold you in good stead.  Staying in touch with your local agent and asking for an honest opinion of current conditions from time to time is also useful.

What Will the Property Market Look Like After Lockdown?

It is not easy to answer this fully since experience of such an unprecedented event is not available to draw on in any of our memories.  However, our observations are that during the Covid-19 lockdown many more people and businesses have adapted to home working through necessity.

We, therefore, predict that many people currently living in cities who have adapted to working from home will look to move out to the countryside and continue to work from home. We know Norfolk is the perfect place to do this as we feel very lucky to have such wonderful countryside to venture out into on our doorstep for our daily lockdown exercise. Following what amounts to a wake-up call, many people will reassess their lives and decide what is really important to them. Health and quality of life will naturally be high priorities for most people . This will encourage a surge of interest in relocation to rural areas. Although property prices may fall temporarily as things settle we are likely to see a rapid rise in prices beyond the levels seen before the pandemic.

Please remember to support the NHS workers who are risking their own lives on a daily basis to help us. Stay safe all and be kind to everyone.  We are very much #allinthistogether