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Pursue your home dream, say experts

The housing market across the region is getting back to business as deals are concluded and new offers are being made, according to regional conveyancing specialist Adkirk Law.

The reopening of the housing market by the government has brought swift activity as buyers continue the deals they left before the lockdown.

Linda Kirk, director of conveyancing at Adkirk Law, with services across the region, said: “We’re now seeing a return to business as normal with buyers happy to conduct viewings within the government guidance and social distancing.

“Where a property is vacant there is no issue and certainly where properties may be occupied it only means the vendor either leaving the property for an hour or distancing as they would in normal circumstances.

“There’s no reason why the sale process can’t pick up for all parties as long as people are sensible but it must be within the guidance and with the safety of everyone in mind at all times.

“Virtual viewings are fine as a way of a first view but don’t replace the feel of a personal viewing and being able to see a property in the wider context of its surroundings.”

Linda added: “There may be more barriers for first time buyers depending on access to finance and the flexibility of mortgage lenders but we hope lenders will see the benefits of being more flexible in these circumstances.”

Both purchase and sales instructions fell in April, according to research from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, indicating an element of pent-up demand in the market that could provide a boost to transactions in the coming months.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Tustin .