Preparing To Put Your House on the Market in 5 Key Steps

14 June 2021

Even though house moves and related activities are allowed right now, there is still guidance given by the Scottish Government on how to act safely while preparing for, and carrying out a sale. 

These guidelines include carrying out processes online and ensuring you follow advice on physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene. The Scottish Government has also advised you to wear masks when coming into contact with people from outside of your household, this could be during the activities related to buying or selling your home. 

Furthermore, if you or anyone within your household display symptoms of Covid-19 or test positive for the virus, you should not invite any businesses or people to your home for the purpose of marketing your home. You will need to self-isolate and postpone any appointments until you are fully recovered. 

If you are planning on selling your property, here are 5 key steps to bringing a home to market.

1. Property Valuation

The first step to selling a home is getting your property valued by an agent. Throughout the early stages of lockdown in 2020, agents began offering virtual valuations, this was because they could not enter homes to carry out a valuation in person. Some agents still offer virtual valuations, however you can now invite agents into your home to carry out the valuation in person. 

If you choose to have your property valued in person you should clean the property before and after the visit and follow the government guidance on physical distancing, hand washing, face coverings and respiratory hygiene. 

2. Photography 

When putting your property on the market you will need photographs, these can be taken by an agent or a professional photographer. When the agent or photographer attends your property, once again you should take care to follow the government guidance on physical distancing, etc. Also, you should clean the property before and after. 

It is likely the agent or photographer will contact you in advance to let you know what to expect when they visit. 

3. Home Report

The majority of properties in Scotland require a Home Report before they can come to market. Surveyors can attend properties in order to produce these Home Reports. It is likely your agent will arrange a Home Report and the surveyor’s visit for you. 

Once again, social distancing should be in place at all times. Cleaning the property before and after the visit is also necessary. The Scottish Government has also stated that surveyors should wash their hands as soon as they enter your property and to bring their own hand sanitiser. You should allow them access to hand washing facilities including separate towels or paper towels, these should then be washed or disposed of safely. 

If a survey is being carried out in your house, you should make sure the surveyor has access to all parts of the property they need to inspect. You should then either vacate the property or attempt to minimise any contact you have with your surveyor, for example stay in a different room while they inspect.  

You are advised to spread out your visits from agents, photographers and surveyors so you don’t have multiple visitors in your house at the same time.

4. Viewings

In person viewings are allowed, however the Scottish Government guidance states that buyers should view properties virtually at first if possible. Some agents are offering 360 virtual tours and videos as part of their property marketing package. You should contact your agent to discuss what they can offer, so they can arrange the best way to get the necessary footage of your home. 

Once your house is on the market, interested buyers may wish to view it in person after viewing virtually, your agent can discuss this with you. 

5. Speak To Your Solicitor Estate Agent

Once your property is on the market, your solicitor estate agent will keep you updated with enquiries, viewing requests and offers. It is possible the selling process will take longer than usually so it is essential you remain flexible. 

The Scottish Government has advised that anyone who is thinking of selling a property should speak to a solicitor.