COVID 19 – Sound advice for would be sellers during this unusual time

While the UK property market is effectively closed for business, John Bray & Partners are here for the long term. With almost 50 years’ experience selling property in the North Cornwall area, they have weathered a fair few ‘property storms’ in their time.

“Quite remarkably given the current state of affairs, we are seeing high numbers of people viewing properties online, on our website and via the property portals. Our properties got viewed 10% more in March this year than they did last year, so it shows that there are still a lot of interested buyers out there. We are still also agreeing a number of sales deals with buyers who have either viewed in the past or who are comfortable committing without physically visiting the property. Although we are working remotely, we are still receiving enquiries from serious buyers during the lockdown, and we are sending them additional photos or walk-through videos that we already have on file to give them as much information as we can,  so please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time for any property related advice. With our team fully operational, we have all the time in the world to help you,” explains Josephine Ashby, Managing Partner, of John Bray & Partners LLP in Rock.

Market Appraisals
“Whilst our preference and modus operandi is to arrange to meet and view your property in person, this is not possible at the present moment, until it is advised to do so.  Even without viewing your property, our team can still give you a good idea of how much your property could be worth and we would be happy to discuss your plans over the phone and give you a desktop appraisal in the first instance.

To sell or not to sell?
“Our advice to most vendors is to ‘be present, be live’. Some may be tempted to remove property from the market so that it doesn’t look tired, a traditional view. But in these times, everyone knows that even the best properties may be slow to sell, not because there’s anything wrong with them, but because the logistics are impossible. So even for vendors who were listing their properties quietly, opting for full marketing may be the best move. Lots of buyers are spending their time browsing the portals, and lining up for later in the spring, or early summer, so a live footprint is strongly recommended.

Preparing for Marketing
“Vendors may struggle to do some of the traditional pre-marketing home improvements. De-cluttering is a frustrating task when the recycling centres are closed and supplies of DIY products may be hard to come by! But there are other very useful exercises that can be undertaken.

Buyers love to know about what lies beyond a property, especially when it comes to the local community. Creating a seller’s log is a strong sales message, listing local suppliers, restaurants, bars, best walks, best countryside pubs, farmers’ markets, fish suppliers is a good start. But in this time of crisis, diarising how the community is pulling together and helping each other out is a fantastic demonstration of the kind of area that purchasers will be moving in to.

“Stories that are emerging in this lockdown are heart-warming. And one of the positives is how everyone is turning to local suppliers, many of whom are delivering, and looking after their customers above and beyond what anyone would usually expect. A lovely example is the chef Paul Ainsworth who has many pubs and restaurants in the Rock and Padstow communities is making hot food regularly to help the most vulnerable people in the local area.

Pre Selling Health Check
“Once your house and  garden is looking as good as it can, another good tip to prepare for selling is to go through the legals. We can recommend some great local solicitors who offer a free Property Health Check service. It will identify any ‘red flags’ that may cause problems or delays down the line at the point of building survey, mortgage valuation or at any stage in the legal process. It will give you the chance to remedy any defects that are identified, which might otherwise cause a down-valuation, create delays or worse case, cause the buyer to renegotiate or withdraw from the sale. If you are able to offer your property to the marketplace having remedied any minor structural issues or title/conveyancing queries, it will help maximise the sale price and allow the process to progress as smoothly as possible.

“It won’t be long before we are all outside again enjoying everything that North Cornwall has to offer. In the meantime, stay indoors and look after your health and your loved ones and if you were/are still thinking of selling, there’s no better time to get the ball rolling.

Josephine Ashby, Managing Partner, of John Bray & Partners LLP in Rock

John Bray and Partners: 01208 862601
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