Is the any point Going on the market next week?

[Doryhunky]

I am trying to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday. Had agents over this week, chose one, EPc man coming Monday. Is there any point in carrying on now? Have almost finished the declutter and was about to remove the family photos for the estate agents photos and viewings. Should I press on now or hope for a stamp duty extension?

If you're trying to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, I presume you want to find somewhere to buy?

Is the likely buyer for your property a ftb or buy to letter?

The more complex the chain, the trickier it will be to complete before 31st March. Everything is taking longer at the moment.

You need to anticipate no viewings ( for you and your potential buyers). If there’s another lockdown then estate agents, surveyors, conveyancers etc will be providing a limited or a non existent service.
We were due to exchange in March and we completed 3 weeks ago.

Put it on. Mine was listed first day of the last lockdown, the agents had calls throughout and mine sold the first viewing the first day we were allowed to do viewings; there was another 10 people waiting to view and my house wasn’t anything spectacular.
People being off means more time on rightmove etc or doing diy, applying for mortgages etc
Good luck

I’ve also completed a sale and purchase (not tied) within 10 weeks including the lockdown period for part of this. Conveyancing staff were WFH, searches didn’t take any longer. Surveys for both houses were done within about ten days of mortgage app

I’m so worried about this. We are supposed to exchange next week and now have no idea what will happen

I think a national lockdown is imminent and I would keep off the market atm but keep doing anything you need to so you can go on market when lockdown lifts so EPC check, any DIY etc.

Maybe ask EA advice as well to see their views as they will know who is looking and what for. Our EA advised us not to go on in lockdown and said market was dead.

We went on the market a few days before the last lock down and sold a couple of weeks after we reopened. No harm as people will browse. If you can get a virtual viewing filmed then even better

If you are planning to buy as well as sell, your timing is very tight.
In my area, you can't go and see properties unless you have a buyer, which makes the whole process slower.
And lots of people, especially those now in London, are waiting to see what happens with possible job losses, as well as Brexit. In my area, property sales have stalled.

EAs have doing some really good virtual viewings. And limiting physical viewings. Ask your estate agent about this.

The ones that worked were via zoom with the EA sharing the video and talking through it. Then we could ask questions as we went, and they could go back and show us anything we missed.

People will be eager to offer and close quickly.But be prepared for quick decisions and repenting the next day!!! A lot of houses have going under offer and then coming back again in a few weeks.

Overall, it's worth going on and testing the market. But you will need to try to keep to a small/no chain.

There are rumours too that the stamp duty holiday may well be extended. I know there are no guarantees, but I’d say there’s a strong chance.

I’m in the same boat. We have our first baby due in April and are hoping to move out of our London flat into a house and take advantage of the stamp duty holiday. We had to get some work done on the flat first which just finished so we were literally going to go on the market next week. It already felt like tight timings but with a lockdown it doesn’t feel possible anymore... we’d still go for it if it’s seemed like the stamp duty holiday will be extended but otherwise we’ll probably stay put as we can’t afford the extra £££ with the baby coming. Really frustrating as we’ve set our minds on moving! Will see how the next week pans out before we make a decision.

I think there's a high chance stamp duty exemption will be extended as the government will not want a housing market collapse but no guarantees. I wouldn't buy off a virtual viewing though would browse in lockdown. It depends a bit if your house is an easy to sell one or one which might stick and how market is in your area. If your house is in very good condition, good size, location and good sized garden it maybe fine to go on now, if its got say no garden, small garden, work to do etc and a longer to sell it could make house look like its been on the market ages.