Lockdown 2

What does it mean for the property market?

 A second national lockdown is upon us. With the government making it clear that the housing market is open for business, we explain what the restrictions mean for you.

Lockdown 2, as it has been dubbed, will last for three weeks

However property market can continue to operate while following Covid safety guidance. You are allowed to do the following:

• Visit estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes
• View homes to buy or rent
• Prepare a home to move into
• Move home
• Visit a home to prepare it for sale or rent.

1.What does lockdown 2 mean for the property market?  

Although more of us will be working from home and movement is restricted, the Greek housing market is still open for business.

2. Are estate agents open?

The advice from the government is that estate agents are allowed to stay open at branch level.
This means you can still visit your local estate agent during lockdown, but you must follow Covid-secure guidelines such as wearing a mask and sanitising your hands.

While the majority of agents are likely to stay open, and viewings and other services continue to operate as normal, some agencies have chosen to ask staff to work from home. In such cases, estate agents can be contacted over the phone or via their website or email.

Agents also have ways to support much of the sales process virtually with many agents now offering virtual viewings and tours as a first step. Additionally, for homeowners considering selling agents have tools to start the valuation process digitally as well.

However, your estate agent may arrange for your initial viewing to be conducted virtually, with only subsequent visits happening in person.

During in-person home viewings, all parties (that means homeowners, prospective buyers and estate agents) must follow Covid-19 safety guidelines.

A socially distanced viewing essentially means as few people should be in the property as possible (perhaps the owners would like to go out for their daily exercise?) and estate agents may not enter the property with prospective buyers.

The number of prospective buyers allowed to enter the property may also be limited.

Anyone entering the property should wear a mask, sanitize their hands and efforts should be made before and after viewings to wipe down door handles and other common areas.