What is lockdown doing to viewings/offers?

[DespairingHomeowner]

Just a curiosity question (probably to any EAs out there...) - what is the impact of upcoming lockdown on the market ...

• are people rushing to view before it gets difficult
• sellers quicker to accept offers

or just business as usual?

At present business as usual.

Despite lockdown, the advice we are receiving is everything can continue, with appropriate precautions in place.

Physical viewings still possible, house moves still possible. No real difference to how we've been operating for the past few months.

I wonder if it's ok to travel by train to viewings, and would they question you about the reason for travel - presumably as the property market is open, that's a valid reason?

We just accepted an offer a week before lockdown announced and did accept a lower offer rather than risk the market in lockdown. Our neighbours came off market when lockdown announced. Market has been slowing past few weeks with less coming on and less viewers. EA says operating as before in lockdown. Most of viewers we got when slowed seemed very keen to do deals.

The sales process is slow atm - in our area searches are 5 weeks, solicitors slow due to high work volumes, suspect surveys delayed to. Average transaction time 16 weeks according to RICS with a third falling through.