Solicitors note uptick in sales following virtual viewing

Solicitors note uptick in sales following virtual viewing

Solicitors have reported that some house buyers are choosing to submit an offer after viewing a property virtually.

Eileen Henderson, senior sales consultant at Blackadders LLP, noted two examples where a buyer had made an offer after viewing a property virtually.

One buyer was an overseas buy-to-let investor who did a live video viewing with the seller. The other offer was made by someone looking to upsize who viewed the property over a pre-recorded video and is subject to a final physical viewing.

Stacey Wilson, director at VMH Solicitors, said they had also received a few offers through virtual viewings. Two of these were from first time buyers and were subject to an in-person viewing when they are able to.

The other two examples were offers made by investors, and were not subject to in-person viewings. Three out of four of the examples she provided were above Home Report valuation.

Kerry Wells, property sales director at Boyd Property, has also noted a couple of offers being made through virtual viewings. Boyd Property includes 360-degree pre-recorded videos with all its property packages. One of its offers was not made subject to an in-person viewing as the buyer knew the area well but the buyer asked several questions over email before offering.

Ron Hastings, director at Borders-based Hastings Legal, said they recently had an offer on a house near Kelso at valuation from a London buyer looking to relocate. Ron said: “As many of our buyers live further away, we see this as a useful promotional tool for future marketing and in the new normal post lockdown.”

Jill Andrew, principal associate at Shoosmiths LLP, said that they had accepted an offer on a fixed price property from a family looking for a house with a garden.

Paul Hilton, CEO of ESPC, said: “These examples of buyers making offers after viewing a property virtually, highlights that there is continued demand and that the public have responded well to these innovative measures.”

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