Covid concerns – majority of sellers vet buyers before viewings

The threat of Covid remains a worry for the majority of home sellers when it comes to allowing prospective buyers into their homes during the viewing process.

Research commissioned by U-See Homes reveals that three-quarters of sellers are vetting buyers more thoroughly but are continuing with physical viewings despite these fears.

The virtual property viewings platform asked over 1,000 UK sellers if the threat of Covid was still a worry when it came to facilitating physical viewings while selling their homes.

For 66% it understandably remained a concern, with 36% stating they were still a little worried, 23% remaining somewhat worried and 6% still very worried.

Despite this, 88% of sellers are still letting buyers enter their homes to view in person.

When asked about the precautions being taken, masks remained the most prevalent requirement along with increasing ventilation during the viewing by opening doors and windows. Asking those viewing to sanitise on arrival also ranked high, along with keeping internal doors open to avoid unnecessary contact.

Some sellers are also limiting the number of viewings they allow each individual buyer, while others are placing time limits on each viewing, and some are asking for negative lateral flow tests before viewing.

Around 74% of sellers are also vetting potential buyers before they even make it to the viewing stage to ensure that they aren’t allowing any unnecessary visits to their homes from time wasters and tyre kickers.

Simon Dempsey, head of marketing for U-See Homes, comments: “Unfortunately, many home sellers find themselves between a bit of a rock and a hard place when it comes to selling their home.”

“On the one hand, they may be worried and want to limit any unnecessary contact with others. However, on the other, they have to essentially allow strangers into their home in order to view if they want to secure a sale.”

“While many are taking the appropriate precautions during the viewings process itself, we’re seeing more and more sellers choose to vet buyers before they even reach this point. This allows them to reduce numbers to just the most suitable and can be done in a number of ways.”

Dempsey says agents should be able to give sellers a good idea of a buyer’s suitability, particularly with regard to what they are looking for, their financial position and any other information that might indicate whether they could be a good match for your home.

“Virtual viewings are also being used far more frequently, allowing the buyer to ascertain if a home works for them and if a physical viewing is worthwhile,” he adds.

“It’s also worth talking to any prospective buyer beforehand to give them an idea of the wider area and if there are any aspects that might deter them from buying your home even if they like the property itself.”