Estate agents and viewings

[Saturdayk]

Hi
I’m an estate agent and my employer is still insisting it’s ‘business as usual’ for viewings in and out of peoples houses, is this likely to change if we have a lockdown?
It’s making me uncomfortable!

Are you serious?? It should change now. Our local estate agent has put out a message offering to help anyone who needs it locally collecting prescription, or shopping, or whatever they need - providing they can keep their distance. Maybe your boss could follow suit?

I find it absolutely unbelievable and completely irresponsible that estate agents are still carrying out viewings. Even apart from that, surely they must know it’s utterly pointless? Even if people are viewing, the likelihood of being able to get mortgages approved, valuation visits carried out, surveyors to go in etc is going to be pretty close to zero so sales aren’t going to progress anyway.

Yes, it will change in lockdown. Estate agents will just be finalising any moves which are already contracted to complete.

I completely agree with you both. I am feeling so uncomfortable with carrying on ‘as normal’. It just doesn’t make sense I feel as though they’re risking the health of staff and our customers. Sadly we aren’t the only ones doing this, in our town it seems there are so many other agents carrying on the same way. I just can’t believe it.

I’ve noticed this a lot with estate agents - they seem to be the last to close and many are still going in my area. I would imagine if they stop viewings they really have nothing left to offer and worry about going under e.g restaurants can offer takeaways, many shops can still sell online.