The local housing market is still moving; homeowners are still considering selling, and buyers are still searching for their perfect home. However, with the subsequent lockdown measures in place the property selling and buying process has had to adapt and become virtual.
Lucie Bromley, Sales and Office Manager at Woodhead Sales and Lettings said: “A new virtual valuation service was needed to continue providing sellers with a professional valuation without having to physically visit the property. As a Member of The Guild of Property Professionals, we now have access to a virtual valuation service, an interactive platform that enables us to carry out a professional valuation remotely. During the lockdown, estate and lettings agents are evolving and coming up with innovative ways to ensure they can meet the needs of home movers and allow the process to move forward in a way that protects all parties.
The virtual valuation service differs from other online valuation tools by allowing a professional valuation meeting taking place remotely. Unlike instant automated valuation tools, the virtual valuation platform allows us to collect as much information as possible from sellers to give a professional valuation of the property. In the virtual face-to-face meeting, agents can discuss the services they provide, answer any questions clients have and will be able to give them a realistic price for the property, whether that is for sale or for let, explains Lucie.
All a homeowner or landlord needs to do is complete a questionnaire and upload a short video and/or some photos of their property, as well as choose the best date and time for them to take a video call. Based on the video, photos and information provided, we will be able to fully research the property and then conduct the face-to-face virtual meeting where we will be able to provide an accurate valuation, giving a realistic sales or rental price for the property, all at a time that is convenient for the homeowner or landlord. Following the meeting, we will send a detailed report on the property providing pricing expectations, much like any other valuation process, he/she notes. If the client decides they would like to go ahead, we are then able to start the process of marketing the property and conducting virtual viewings through our Virtual Viewing Tool.
We have all the necessary tools and services in place to be able to go through the entire process remotely and find either a buyer or tenant for a property without there ever being any physical meetings.
No one knows what the future holds or how people will interact with each other once restrictions are lifted. Potentially virtual valuations and viewings will continue to be a part of the ‘new normal’. If that is the case, we are ready to ensure that we can meet those needs and continue providing an excellent service to our customers; they are in safe hands with us,” Lucie concludes.
