Agents busy as branches reopen

Letting and sales agency Linley and Simpson said every member of its team, at branches in Harrogate, Ripon and Wetherby, had been issued with a back to work guide and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a bid to prevent the spread of covid-19.

Will Linley, Chief Executive and Co-founder, said: “With a continuing rise in the number of enquiries, the Government had made the right decision, even if it took the industry slightly by surprise, as we were all working to a timetable of June 1.

“The level of interest in our vacant properties has been steadily gathering pace over the last few weeks, which proves reopening now is the correct thing to do.

“Thanks to our investment in technology, we have been able to complete transactions during the lockdown for key workers without there being any form of physical contact.

“Further investment throughout the lockdown period has now enabled us to offer all of our new listings a floorplan, video tour and space planner as standard.”

Andrew Beadnall of Beadnall Copley said prior to opening they had been working to install safety measures, including Perspex screens, at branches.

And he added: “Ever since we opened a week last Wednesday (May 18) all our offices across the region have been incredibly busy arranging many viewings of our properties as well as putting on new instructions for sale and some of them have attracted enormous interest.

“What has been very pleasing are the number of properties which had sold subject to contract prior to lockdown and have now proceeded to exchange at the same agreed price. As such we have not seen any price falls on our previously negotiated sales.

“We are also receiving many requests for prospective buyers to go on our mailing lists as the last 7 weeks have clearly been a time when people have been reflecting at home and have now decided for a variety of reasons to move.

“The rental market is also proving to be popular. An apartment on the riverside in Wetherby was let within hours of it coming available with the tenant moving in within seven days.”

He added: ”There still remains a shortage of available properties for sale and to let and this strong demand at the moment will I believe ensure that properties retain their values from before the pandemic.

Dacre, Son & Hartley, head of residential, Patrick McCutcheon, added: “We have plenty of evidence of good levels of demand and over the last few weeks, we have had lots of calls from buyers wanting to arrange viewings and potential sellers requiring sales and marketing advice,” he said.

“Our virtual viewings and valuations have been very popular and we will continue with these alongside a return to physical valuations and viewings.”