Someone from Tier 4 wanting to view my property....

Yes, it does seem wrong Riverwalk - maybe threaten to change agent?

I'd go out and let the estate agent handle it for you. Most agents prefer the vendors not to be there for viewings anyway.

Luckygirl, I know it's very important to you to sell as quickly as possible. Would you be prepared to do the viewing with all of the Covid safety precautions in place? I did buy shoe covers for my viewers, none were used but I'd get some and make them wear them. You could give the viewers the plan of the house, have every door open, tell them not to touch anything and direct them as you wish.
I know you are a bungalow so you could possibly stay in the corridor at all times.

twinnytwin the agents will not do the viewing as the viewers are from a Tier 4 area.

Current regs. ......
The housing market in England will remain open in all 4 tiers. This means that people looking to move home will be able to both continue with planned moves and view new properties to move into in the future. Estate and lettings agents, removers, valuers and people in sales and lettings offices and show homes will be able to continue working.

I'm even more convinced the EA is letting you down luckygirl, very unprofessional, they actually aren't doing their job but rather asking if you will take the risk for them. Definitely do what sits most comfortably with you, if the risk seems too great then refuse making it clear that you will not be managing Tier 4 viewings for them.

NotSpaghetti

Yes, it does seem wrong Riverwalk - maybe threaten to change agent?

Yes, exactly!
Say you will change agents if they refuse to do viewings.
Always better for an agent to show prospective buyers around in any case.
If desperate to sell I would have viewings or you may not sell until next Autumn.

Could you call other agents locally and ask what they are doing with a view to switching?
You may even get a better deal...

Try to persuade your agent to do the viewing - one of my viewers made a recording (using agent's phone) as they went round reasonably quickly - so that I could view it later and provide comments/responses to questions in order to limit time in property

Are they offering virtual viewings in the first instance to weed out ppl who decide its not for them quite quickly?

So much depends on the individual estate agent. Are they proactive and are they resourceful, pulling out all the stops?
In London our dealings with the EA were quick, positive and fruitful. In the provinces it was somewhat different. Maybe there are regional variations?
Did they say where in tier 4 the viewers were from Luckygirl?

I would do the viewing yourself. Before entry explain that you would prefer them not to touch anything, wear their mask etc etc.

Viewers are usually keen buyers if they are bothering to view anything just now, it would be a shame to miss them. Once they go you can open outside doors, windows etc for half an hour (or as long as you can suffer the cold!).

Personally I would trust the viewers more than an agent to follow your rules, and I would much prefer to be there to ensure that they do.

I would go ahead with the viewing. Would have some windows open. Would have shoe coverings (I did back before Covid). Put some good quality hand gel at front door and wipe down all surfaces and door handles with something like Virusend both before they come and after they have been.

I would insist that the EA does the viewing and I would either go out or stay in the garden.

Could you not do an on line view to start with? This may give perspective buyers a good idea, and then invite them to look around as others have suggested. It may separate out the really interested from the ‘ not really bothered, just want something to do’ groups. It is difficult....but it’s like the shops and everywhere else I suppose, the agents should have being safe down to a fine art.

The trouble is, how many other sales is this agent putting in jeopardy? He might be shooting himself in the foot.
If I were a prospective buyer and came up against this attitude I think I would be getting a bit miffed if I were going to spend £100ks. I would be looking at other agents in the area.

Oh Luckygirl another difficult decision.
Personally I always prefer to do viewings myself. Agents tend to walk in to a room before the viewer thereby filling a small room, talk too much and not sell the best points.
I would get some shoe covers, insist that the viewers put them on. I would insist that they arrive wearing a good quality mask. I would leave all doors open and insist that they agree to touch nothing. I would prefer to remain in the house answering their questions but at a two metre distance and with windows open and for a limited time.
Whatever you decide I wish you much luck.
You never know these might be THE ones and you might just get the house you wanted ?

I live in Tier 4 and am no more likely to spread Covid than someone in Tier 1 or 2. We spend most of our time alone, rarely going out and never where there are crowds.

I would do what someone else suggested - show them around, keep your distance (maybe stay outside the room while they go in and look around), have a sanitizing session afterwards, insist on masks, supply them with new gloves if they don't have any so you won't worry too much about what they touch.

Get the estate agent to ensure that they are in a position to buy and are seriously interested before taking the risk - there are still people taking every opportunity to have a day out.

Good luck with getting a sale

Just a thought. If your own area is going to go into tier 4 as of tomorrow, then what will your estate agent do? Close his entire business? If he won't do the viewings with tier 4 buyers then surely he won't do valuations in his own tier 4 town?

I'm not expecting you to answer these questions Luckygirl, I'm just showing how daft the EA's attitude is.

Difficult decision if you are desperate to move, but new variant of the virus is apparently much more transmissible than before. Bearing this in mind I would not want anyone in my house unless it was an emergency. I guess it depends on personal circumstances.

It is hard - my thinking at the moment is that if I am not willing to have people looking round then I might as well take it off the market.

So I have 2 potential buyers coming - one on Saturday and one sometime next week. I will take all precautions in detail and hope for the best. I have asked agent to delve into their histories and make sure they are likely to be in a position to proceed.

Fingers crossed for you.

All we Grans will cross our fingers for you Luckygirl. The power of positive vibes.

Perhaps one positive thing coming out of this virus is that it is probably discouraging all those casual viewers we all used to have to put up with. Surely, only serious purchasers are actually going to go into other peoples homes at this time to see if it could become their future home.

EA should always know the financial details of anyone who is asking for a viewing. That is such an important part of their work.

Good Luck Luckygirl, hopefully one of these viewings will be successful for you.

Hope yesterday's viewing was positive Luckygirl.

Thank you. It went OK but I do not think they will buy - it did not seem suitable for their needs; and they went on about the field behind - will it be built on? - No: it is not in the neighbourhood plan for development, it is very steep, it has no access, it contains a protected wood, and the owner (next door to me) does not want to sell. But what do I know?

Fingers crossed for next viewer on Wednesday.