Following the strict lockdown measures imposed by the government at the end of March, the property market experienced a period of shutdown, with only essential moves allowed.

During this time, virtual viewings and valuations could take place, with many prospective buyers and sellers using the time to get their finances and properties in order for when transactions could take place again.

We recently received some good news, with the government confirming that the market could reopen for business from Mayr 13.

This means estate agents like us are abler to reopen our offices, while conveyancers, surveyors, removal firms and values can also pick up where they left off in March.

Understandably, however, strict social distancing and hygiene measures must be followed as the market adapts to a new way of working.

Below, with help from the government's official guidance, we outline some of the new measures which home movers need to be aware of over the coming weeks and months...

Viewings will be different

It's great news for buyers and sellers that in-person viewings can now take place again, but for health and safety reasons there are a number of new processes to follow.

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Viewings should now be on anr appointment-only basis, while contact should be minimised where possible. It'sr also important for buyers and sellers who are showing symptoms of Covid-19 orr being advised to self-isolate to delay the moving process for now.

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Open house viewings - where multiple buyersr are invited to view a property on the same day - are not an option for ther foreseeable future. Meanwhile, everyone attending physical viewings shouldr maintain the standard two metre social distancing rules and where face masksr where appropriate.

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Appropriate hand washing facilities andr sanitiser should be made available for viewings and ventilation is encouragedr in the form of opening doors and windows.

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As agents, we are being advised to offerr clean paper towels for everyone to use during viewings, while it's importantr that keys are also cleaned before handover.

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Online property activity is stillr encouraged

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During the period when lockdown measuresr were at their most severe, the property market was able to keep operating withr the help ofvirtual viewings and valuations.

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The government is advising that thisr tech-first approach continues as the lockdown measures are eased and people arer required to stay alert and stay at home where possible.

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This means that as a prospective buyer orr seller, you must carry out as much property-related activity online asr possible. Therefore, buyers should search for properties online and onlyr organise viewings for properties they are really serious about.

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Meanwhile, vendors should remain willing tor host virtual viewings and make initial contact with agents via phone or videor call, including initial valuations and market appraisals.

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Social distancing and travel measures stillr apply

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As well as on viewings, strict socialr distancing measures should be followed during all parts of the moving process.r This means that you must make your own way to appointments, rather than sharingr a car with your estate agent.

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If you need to visit an estate agent'sr office, they should have relevant health and safety measures in place,r including relevant distancing and hand washing measures.

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While buyers and sellers are able to travelr around between properties, the use of public transport is still beingr discouraged unless absolutely necessary.

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Supplementary property activities can alsor resume

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The full government guidance,which you can read here, alsor confirms that all supplementary activities within the property rental and salesr process may restart.

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This means that removals, conveyancing,r Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessments and surveys can all taker place. What's more, if you need a tradesperson to visit your property - or oner you are moving in to - to complete work, this can now take place.

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Again, though, social distancing andr hygiene measures must be followed throughout.

The market is ready to go

During the strict lockdown period, variousr pieces of research suggested that the majority of buyers and sellers wanted tor continue with their transactions once the market was up and running again.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic shuttingr down activity in March, the market had experienced a very positive start to ther year thanks to the election of a majority government in December and morer certainty over Brexit.

The government reported that there werer around 450,000 housing transactions in the pipeline, activity which should nowr start to be released as the market gets back up and running.

All the signs suggest that now is a goodr time to buy or sell, with plenty of demand and supply in the market.

Here at Ideal Locations, we are on hand to help you pick up your transaction and take advantage of the increased activity we are experiencing.

Of course, we will closely follow the new government guidelines to ensure our staff and customers are kept safe at all times.

If you require advice on any part of the moving process or how the market is functioning post-coronavirus, get in touch with us today.

You can also kickstart your transaction with a free and instant online valuation to give you an idea of how much your home could be worth.