A number of clients have asked what is happening in the property market in light of the latest lockdown and Government advice regarding the new strain of coronavirus threat.
We have a moral obligation to do our best for the country and economy during the latest Covid lockdown. Our priority is keeping our staff and the public safe whilst remaining open for business. While government guidance allows people in England to move home with estate and letting agents continuing to be allowed to work, the new lockdown announcement is another reminder to the property sector to act in a Covid-secure way.
Estate agents are one of the few sectors that are still able to operate in lockdown. We need to continue to ensure we are acting according to the prescribed health guidelines to help keep both clients and staff members safe during this wave of the virus. Now more than ever, agents have an obligation to continue to act within a safe manner to ensure that they are protecting the public and doing what they can to minimise the spread of the virus.
Although physical viewings are permitted, given the current circumstances and resurgence of the virus, all agents should ensure that viewings take place as the last step once they have thoroughly gone through the process virtually with potential buyers.
Are we still open?
Knight & Knoxley remain open for all usual business; valuations, viewings, sales and rentals. Staff are aware of best practices with regard to minimising risk and self-isolation. The staff and majority of our customers have a ‘keep calm and carry on’ approach and aim to weather the storm as best as possible. Our offices will be remaining open during the latest lockdown. If you wish to visit our offices in person please contact us in advance to arrange an appointment.
The market is active and buyers are still trying to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday. In a typical year, around half of home sales agreed in January will complete by the end of March. However, with the end of the stamp duty holiday approaching on March 31st and the most recent lockdown, this is no typical year. There are 30% more sales agreed in the pipeline than this time last year, resulting in one of the busiest festive periods for the housing market in more than a decade.
Buyers and movers who want to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday can still beat the deadline, we would recommend that you implement plans immediately to benefit from the stamp duty holiday. Those who need to sell a home can do this by instructing Knight & Knoxley and a conveyancer swiftly.
Will you still visit for valuations?
Yes, appointments are still being booked. We are happy to visit clients homes and undertake valuations on the basis that clients have not shown or have any symptoms of coronavirus. We believe there will be a bounce in the market when this current lockdown ends, mirroring the two previous lockdown endings. Our areas remain the most popular destinations for Londoners wishing to escape the capital. We are experiencing more online traffic similar to the spike we saw over the Christmas holidays, of buyers looking on Zoopla, Rightmove , Primelocation etc. Seasonally this is a busy time of year for the housing market, now with the added lockdown there is a captive audience of buyers looking to relocate from other areas. We are organising photo shoots and marketing campaigns for those clients wishing to capitalise on the market in 2021.
Are we undertaking viewings?
Yes for those clients who are happy for us to show their homes and on the basis that our clients have not shown or have any symptoms of coronavirus. We will ensure that all buyers are taken through the process of virtually viewing a property before any face-to-face appointment takes place. Our unique virtual reality tours are our one of our unique selling points driving more business online and safeguarding our viewers and vendors. Only buyers that are financially in a position to move immediately will be shown our current stock of properties.
https://www.knightandknoxley.com/virtual-tours
I am a landlord will this affect me?
We are following the Government’s press releases daily and we will update any changes implemented that may change landlords payments and tenants rights. At present there is no change and landlords will receive rental payments as normal.
Moving Forward
Whilst we are striving to run our services as normal as possible, our customer’s health and safety are our top priorities and at the heart of every decision we make . We believe it’s critical to do our part to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
We are paying very close attention to government advice and are generally taking our updates from these 3 resources which we would encourage you to also keep a close eye on:
PHE – Covid-19 Guidance from GOV.UK
World Health Organization (WHO) – COVID-19 Disease Outbreak https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
NHS Advice
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
Rest assured we have adequate hand washing facilities and hand sanitiser throughout our office and in employees vehicles. All staff are aware of the symptoms of coronavirus and the need to call 111 and act upon their advice, which could involve testing for the virus and of course self-isolation.
If any member of staff contracts coronavirus, we will notify all individuals who have been in contact with the employee individually.
Community
We want to assure you that at Knight & Knoxley we are doing everything possible to look after our staff while ensuring we continue to offer you the service you have grown to expect. We as a team are committed to continue giving you the first class service you expect from us, in the face of adversity.
With the vaccines now being rolled out there is light at the end of the tunnel and as a local family owned business we are here to support our local community in anyway that we can. We will be sharing 5% of our January and February takings to our two chosen charities that are working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure they can support as many vulnerable people as they can.
Brighton Food Bank
http://www.brightonfoodbank.org.uk
Seaview Homeless Project Hastings
https://www.seaviewproject.co.uk
It seems sensible that through this difficult period people’s livelihoods are protected and to do so the economy needs to keep flowing. Our aim is to keep on as best as possible and practical. Please do telephone or email us if you require any further advice or assistance.
With Best Wishes
Nat Ryder
CEO/FOUNDER
