Coping with Corona

James Greenwood of Stacks Property Search says, “None of us know how this crisis is going to play out, but as buying agents our job is to continue to look after our clients, and others that we deal with, in a safe and responsible manner. To this end, we have effected a protocol that has been rolled out across our seventeen offices.

“Our business is a human business, but it’s not a mass activity, and involves a handful of people at most at any one time in, usually, a private place. Our protocol is designed to reduce risk to an absolute minimum.”

“And we feel that the UK residential property market should continue to trade throughout the crisis.’’

1. Internal meetings:

  1. We have 17 offices, but they’re all separate – we’re self-isolated from each other. All non-essential meetings are cancelled, to enable us to maintain a healthy workforce.
  2. All internal meetings will, with immediate effect, be conducted remotely.

2. Taking the client brief

This is traditionally undertaken in our clients’ home, but for many years we’ve been using technology for the occasions when this isn’t possible.

Recommendation: Primary method of taking initial client brief should be via phone, FaceTime, Teams etc

3. Viewing properties on clients’ behalf

  1. Any Stacks personnel with a dry cough or fever immediately self-isolates and only conducts business remotely.
  2. We enter the property with clean hands, soap and water, hand gel, surgical gloves.
  3. We request that the estate agent does no more than let us in to the property. All Stacks personnel are registered, insured, and overseen by The Property Ombudsman.
  4. If the vendors are at home, we suggest they don’t walk us around the property.
  5. We maintain a distance of at least 1m at all times.

4. Showing clients around a suitable property 

As for 3 with the additional protocols:

  1. We meet the client at the premises.
  2. Client is provided with hand gel, soap and water, surgical gloves prior to entering the property.
  3. Stacks personnel conduct the viewing with agent or vendor accompanying at a distance.
  4. A distance of at least 1m maintained at all times.
  5. Where our client is uncomfortable with the risks associated with a viewing, we will provide extensive information in the form of plans and photographs/video, and will happily conduct a virtual tour while the client is online.

5. Negotiating:

  1. Negotiations are generally conducted over the telephone, as is conveyancing. There’s a concern that solicitors’ offices will shut down; we will check the protocols of solicitors with whom our clients are concerned to ensure they will be working from home.
  2. Surveyors are famous for being a solitary breed, and the last thing they want is the shadow of the vendor hanging over them. We will check they have their own protocols in place.

6. Moving in:

  1. Recommend that clients check removal company’s protocols.
  2. Recommend that clients organise a deep clean once the vendors have moved out.

7. General

  1. Go out of our way to meet clients’ and vendors’ needs during this time.

Start your property search today

Call us on +44 (0) 1594 842880 or complete the form below

    Your Details



    Your property requirements:

    Status:
    SoldThinking of movingOn the marketExchangingIn rented accommodationCash buyerIn need of helpOther


    We will never share your details with a third party. For more information about how we handle your data, please see our Privacy Policy

    How we can help you

    View our property finder services

    When making probably the most important financial decision of your life, it pays to have the right advisors at your side.

    Property Finder Service

    We search high and low, on the market and off the market, and we keep hunting until we’ve found the right property for you. Next we negotiate the best price and terms on your behalf. And then we make sure you enjoy a hassle-free move.

    Downsizing or Resizing

    Retirement or semi-retirement is an exciting stage in life. Finding the right home to live in and enjoy it to the full is important. We know that and will do all that we can to understand what you’re looking for… before starting to search. And search we will, until we find the house of your dreams.

    Moving from Abroad

    Relocating is time consuming and stressful. We regularly work with clients who live abroad. We hunt, short-list, prepare your viewings, and make the search process as easy as possible. We oversee the negotiations, manage the conveyancing, and deal with the headaches, so you can concentrate on other aspects of your move.

    Holiday Home Hunt

    A holiday home is often an interesting mix of investment and heartfelt connection. You want to use it, but you may well also be keen for others to use it too. We can advise you on what factors to consider in making your decision. And we can then find the perfect holiday home for you to enjoy.

    Investing in UK Property

    Others say, ‘location, location, location’. We say, ‘location, purpose, price, capital growth, rental returns’… the list goes on. Knowing the market is critical. Local knowledge is key. We ensure all aspects of your investment decision are addressed. Finding, analysing, negotiating, and completing… it’s what we do.

    “You showed fantastic attention to detail, anticipated all eventualities, and provided timely and practical help and guidance every step of the way.  Above all, you supported me in making my own considered decisions, and I am so grateful to you for all your help in getting me to where I am now!”

    “We firmly believe that without Rachel and her skilled negotiation we would not have secured the property.”

    “We felt they genuinely wanted to help.”

    “Stacks’ performance on this assignment has been absolutely outstanding and more than met my expectations. Her understanding of the brief and the ‘after-find’ service set a standard of professionalism that I have not met before.”

    “It is not often that one is pleased to part with money but I can truthfully say that I am on this occasion. You have earned every penny of this cheque and what is more, you have done it with great courtesy and good humour. It has been very pleasant working with you. You really did take most of the stress out of our house hunting.”

    “Encouraging me to think creatively about what could work for me.”

    “Finding a plot not yet on the market and persuading the developer to enter into an exclusive contract with me to build to my specification.

    “I was impressed by the efficient, kind and courteous service provided by Stacks”

    “Stacks were a tremendous help and we would never have found our home without them. She is a lovely person with a great sense of humour which was essential during some of our tricky negotiations

    “You gave a much-valued ‘younger’ perspective on our situation, which was a real asset”

    “We found the service extremely helpful and professional at all times”

    “I have been delighted with the service I have received from Stacks and will not hesitate to recommend Stacks in the future.”

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Receive updates about the world of property, straight to your inbox.

    * indicates required