Property sellers in Mosman finally have some good news.
While the widespread shutdowns due to COVID-19 were completely understandable, the impact of not being able to hold open homes or property auctions was a setback for those who had been working hard for many months to prepare for the autumn selling season.
When the shutdown was announced, we had no idea how long it would last. However, we are very fortunate that the restrictions around the real estate industry are set to ease after just a few weeks.
Here’s an update on Mosman property auctions and open home inspections as it stands this week:
Mosman property inspections during COVID-19
The NSW Government’s announcement that on-site property auctions and inspections can recommence this weekend is great news for home sellers and buyers.
While Mosman real estate agents are getting ready to host open homes and auctions again, there are some key differences to the way they will be held.
Our industry has been urged to keep a limit on the number of people viewing properties and attending auctions. We’re also required to follow stringent cleaning guidelines, including ensuring people don’t touch any surfaces when they view a property.Social distancing remains a priority.
Those who do show up to view a property will be stopped at the door so their contact details can be recorded. Visitors will also be offered hand sanitiser as a way of encouraging good hygiene.
Customer safety is of course a huge priority for all responsible real estate agents. One thing to keep in mind if you’re set to sell your home is that the opening times may need to be extended to ensure there aren’t crowds of people inside your property at once.
The good news is that only genuine buyers and auction bidders will be encouraged to visit your open home. It’s not a time to allow curious neighbours to pop in, so the people who do attend will know everyone else who is there has buying on their mind.
More good news for Mosman
Shopping online has been a popular pastime for Australians during the COVID-19 shutdown and it seems shopping for homes has been included in this.
As reported by realestate.com.au at the start of May, new data shows search activity across the Buy and Rent sections increased over the past week. Year on year, there were 37 per cent more searches on the property listing platform.
So even though open homes have been suspended, interest in buying definitely has not. In fact, you can safely assume a lot of buyers are keen to take advantage of a potential drop in competition to finally secure their dream home.
The rise in property views demonstrates the importance of excellent online marketing. When a buyer sees a home they like the look of, they will visit over and over again, falling ‘in love’ a little bit more each time. By the time the open home rolls around, their mind is almost made up.
What’s also very positive right now is the low Aussie dollar has generated a great deal of interest from overseas buyers, many of whom are seeking off-market sales and are happy to make an offer without seeing a home in person.
And finally, property statistics for Mosman up to April show the market average has held steady. Apartment values were unchanged in April compared to March, while the average home value lifted slightly from $3.58 million to $3.616 million. This confirms the enduring popularity of this postcode and that there are always interested buyers, no matter what is going on in the world.
It is a wonderful relief to have the COVID-19 shutdowns eased as it allows our Mosman real estate agency to get back to what it does best—helping property owners and buyers to achieve their goals.
