HOMES are selling as the UK eases out of the lockdown imposed because of the coronavirus crisis – and estate agents are adapting to the ‘new normal’.

Symon Jeffrey, director of Wilkie May & Tuckwood in Wellington, said it was in the process of listing 22 properties in the area with ten in the last eight days alone.

More than 120 viewings have taken place since lockdown and 11 sales agreed with several offers now being negotiated.

Coronavirus has meant that estate agents have had to change the way they work. Symon said: “The ‘new normal’ includes detailed risk assessments on processes and procedures, viewings and valuations are risk assessed on an individual basis, proceed-able buyers, time limits, health checks for buyers and sellers, PPE, same household viewings, anti-bacterial wipe downs after every viewing, no open houses and the list goes on.

“Wilkie May & Tuckwood have totally embraced this new approach and while certainly a challenge at the start, this has quickly become part of what we do now, and with the technological advancements, management systems, websites, online media we are well placed to help people move.”

House prices – despite national media headlines – have been largely unaffected locally, Symon says, helped by record low interest rates.

He added: “House prices in Wellington and Taunton tend to be more steady and less volatile than our neighbouring cities of Exeter, Bristol and further afield. The M5 is key to our town’s success, along with a host of other reasons, in particular its community spirit.

“Interest rates are at an all-time low for those needing a mortgage – house prices remain strong driven by the buyers’ desire to purchase.”

Katie Thomson, from Stags, says there has been huge demand for property in the West Country following the re-opening of the property market – with staff back in their offices and prospective buyers allowed to drive to view properties.

Viewings, offers and sales are not as high as normal at this busy time of year but Stags is ‘reporting exciting levels of activity,’ she says.

She added: “Stags are seeing an increasing number of people contacting them wishing to move to the West Country, whether to buy a second home or a permanent home from outside the region. Some are from London but the Home Counties feature more heavily.

“A common thread is that buyers currently living in an urban environment are looking to buy a property in a rural or village location – perhaps not surprisingly having experienced lockdown in recent months.”

Stags partner Simon Cooper said it was too early to say what effect the coronavirus crisis would have on prices but added: “There are certainly few signs of house prices falling in the West Country this summer. What will happen when the furlough scheme ends later this year? This is perhaps more of an unknown.”