Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

When will estate agents reopen?

31 replies

Bitofeverything · 22/04/2020 20:01

I want to crack on and sell my house (looking for buy simultaneously so not especially fussed if prices are down a bit as long as they’re down everywhere - and not sure they will be anyway) but haven’t seen any indication of when estate agents might reopen. Does anyone know? Have I missed something? Any indication of which step of the reopening they might be part of etc. Friends of mine are trying to sort out renting a place and are having to look online, but presumably that doesn’t work for selling (you might rent a place based on a video walkthrough but surely not buy...) Just trying to plan (yes, I know, but I like to plan!)

OP posts:
Original poster
Bitofeverything · 22/04/2020 20:21

Bump!

OP posts:
SheSaidNoFuckThat · 22/04/2020 20:23

Nobody can answer your question as nobody knows the answer!

littlefawn · 22/04/2020 20:25

I'd love to know to, house sale is Agreed but everything on hold at the moment. I did hear when they start to ease restrictions Estate agents will be one of the first to open so who knows

rosie1959 · 22/04/2020 20:29

May be some of the first to reopen House sales now being held up due to valuations unable to be done

notchickenagain · 22/04/2020 20:34

I have been dealing with a few agents recently getting valuations on a house for probate. They have based valuations on current trends and information provided by me. One did a drive-by. A couple said they are still selling showing virtual tours to prospective buyers. I would be surprised if people are buying without visiting but apparently they are! You are asked to video your own house and the estate agent sends out the details to interested parties. Would be interested to know if anyone does actually sell this way but I would contact them in the normal way and see what if they suggest similar.

MarshaBradyo · 22/04/2020 20:35

I saw an IG post today from a real estate agent saying they do virtual valuations and viewings so you can still go ahead.

Original poster
Bitofeverything · 22/04/2020 21:34

Yes, I suppose estate agents will be in the first wave, whenever that is. The government must be aware that getting the housing market moving again has to be a priority. And it’s one of the things you can do with a certain amount of social distancing too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bitofeverything · 22/04/2020 21:36

I’m less worried about getting the house valued because I’m pretty confident about its value. I just want to get on with selling it!

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 22/04/2020 21:39

You can I’m sure. I’ve seen two agents saying we’ll sell now I think of it.

terrigrey · 22/04/2020 23:08

My house is/was on the market when lockdown came. My estate agent (large national chain) told me he was being furloughed.
I assume estate agents could be part of the first set of businesses which will be allowed back as part of a phased reduced lock-down.
I'm not 100% sure I want people to come to view my house though...esp if the agent had to stay outside to keep social distancing - I would be worried the potential buyers could snoop through your things/nick stuff - I'm considering not trying to sell and just extend instead (a whole new can of worms!)

Mildura · 22/04/2020 23:47

Not a fucking clue.

Source: am estate agent

Gemma2019 · 23/04/2020 08:59

I've noticed a lot of people putting houses on the market in my area recently with Purple Bricks, as you take the photos and make (virtual?) appointments yourself. I guess they want to press ahead with selling regardless of the situation but I'm not sure it's the best idea.

SquirtleSquad · 23/04/2020 09:02

Don't go ahead with Purplebricks I worked there for 3.5 years, honestly it'd be a huge mistake!!!!!

Also, yes some agents are still agreeing sales but on the majority of cases the solicitors will not really do a lot of work on them, if you pay for searches..etc now you'll probably need them re done later down the line when things are moving properly again.

Gemma2019 · 23/04/2020 09:21

Did you @SquirtleSquad? Are you back with a normal estate agent now?

I avoid viewing houses listed with Purplebricks as I couldn't face negotiating a price with the actual seller, and if they have used Purplebricks to sell, it screams out that every pound is a prisoner and there won't be much negotiation!

I wonder what is happening with estate agents and other commission based jobs? I wonder if most have been furloughed, or they are just struggling on basic salary.

whataballbag · 23/04/2020 10:03

I'm lettings & sales, furloughed on full pay but no commission

Original poster
Bitofeverything · 23/04/2020 13:36

The estate agent I bought it through (and will probably sell it through) has been furloughed. Must be a bugger in a job where the salary is substantially made up by commission. How much head’s up would they be given to come back to work?

OP posts:
AnnofPeeves · 23/04/2020 13:42

Our family member who is an estate agent doesn't have a clue either Grin

OP you say you are confident of the value but I'm not sure anyone can really say that. We were asking about prices yesterday and no-one knows what will happen to them with any certainty.

EireneNW · 23/04/2020 15:55

I'm not sure when agents will reopen (I wish I did as I'm looking to buy). However, I can confirm people are definitely buying based on video tours. I was about to put in an offer on a place based on the video tour but someone bid almost asking price, presumably also without having viewed the house as it only went on the market after lockdown. It sold within a week of going on the market.

Fern204 · 23/04/2020 17:58

We bought a house this morning after an online viewing. We were buying a house on the same road but had a disastrous survey yesterday and pulled out. This other house was listed, we viewed online and asked lots of questions, and then had an offer accepted. It feels weird but we know the road and area really well, and it's the same style of house. It also doesn't need anything more than cosmetic updating, much better than the wreck we were buying!

Original poster
Bitofeverything · 23/04/2020 18:17

That’s encouraging. I’m fairly confident of the house value because the house opposite mine, which is identical, is under offer and the deal is proceeding without any problems so far. It this goes on for months and that one collapses, then that will change my opinion, but for now, I think I know what it’s worth!

OP posts:
Paddington68 · 23/04/2020 18:23

When 1,000 people a day, just in this country's hospitals alone, stop dying of a virus.

Original poster
Bitofeverything · 23/04/2020 19:18

Yes thank you for that. It’s quite reasonable to plan ahead, although that probably annoys you!

OP posts:
Gemma2019 · 23/04/2020 19:25

Wow @Fern204 you are brave! Hope it all goes smoothly. I hope the house smells ok when you get to view it!

Fern204 · 23/04/2020 19:47

We are planning to replace all carpets and decorate anyway, and will probably redo the kitchen in a few years. If there is a smell it will go....

terrigrey · 25/04/2020 00:32

You mean you put an offer on a house @Fern204 ? You haven't actually paid the money and exchanged yet surely?

Swipe left for the next trending thread