In the face of increasingly widespread fears of COVID-19 pandemic, what concrete steps can estate agents and property owners take right now to prevent the infection? Malawi has not reported any case as of March 18th. Read our practical guide based on official sources to stay a step ahead.

It’s an outbreak that has helped to bankrupt airlines across the globe, shut down borders, and self-isolate entire countries. But, what does the COVID-19 mean for those selling or letting property in Lilongwe?

The easy answer is simply that ‘no-one knows’. We cannot be sure how bad things will get and how long they will last. But that doesn’t really help if the property is already on the market or you’re thinking of selling or letting it soon.

So, using official advice and a dash of common sense, below is our guide on how to safely sell and let a property during this Coronavirus pandemic.

Firstly…Do you really need to sell?

It’s a question ultimately only you will know the answer to. There are plenty of legitimate reasons why you NEED to put your property on the market to sell or let, regardless of what’s happening in the wider world.

However, you may be selling for non-essential reasons. In that case, you need to ask whether now really is the best time to list your property for sale.

Sure, there’s an argument for us continuing our life as normally as possible for as long as possible. But, at the same time, coronavirus is also likely to hit prices in pretty much every city of Malawi. It may make financial sense to hold off selling until the situation becomes a little more stable.

Just keep in mind, we don’t know when things will return to some sort of normality. There is every chance the current instability will last months, perhaps even a year or more.

Follow the advice you’re given

If you’ve decided to put your property on the market despite COVID-19 then the next best tip we can give you is to always follow the advice of healthy experts and updates from the Ministry of Healthy.

If the property is occupied and someone living at the property is quarantined, you should not take or allow any viewings on the property until the isolation period is complete.

If you are a seller or landlord, please you should talk to your estate agent to find out what procedures they are putting in place to handle the threat of Coronavirus. You should not become a victim of your estate agents carelessness. Keep in mind that estate agents are sales people and they meet and contact a lot of people in the course of their business.

Find out – are they limiting face to face contact? Are they screening potential viewers to check they don’t have any symptoms? Do they have specific advice they are giving to potential buyers, tenants or seller?

Conducting viewings during the COVID-19 pandemic

Unless quarantine or other restrictions come in by Government that will make viewings impossible, it’s perfectly OK to allow viewings on your property. However, that does come with a rather serious caution; –

It’s okay to allow viewings of your property if no-one who currently lives on any part of the property has, or has been in recent contact with anyone who is showing some of the common symptoms of Coronavirus.

That said, there are still several precautions you should consider taking to help protect both you and your potential buyers or tenants. This is particularly important as it’s thought that COVID -19 is contagious even before people have begun to show symptoms.

1. Don’t be afraid to raise the subject

Screen for symptoms those who have come to view the property. Don’t be afraid to ask people if they are suffering any symptoms before they enter your property.

It’s a fast-moving situation and people may have developed symptoms after they booked the viewing appointment. Most people will understand and may even feel comforted that you’re taking the threat seriously.

For now, you should also avoid shaking hands with anyone viewing your property.

2. Clean surfaces before and after a viewing

COVID-19 is thought to transit mostly through touching infected surfaces. That means that a good thorough clean of common touchpoints throughout your property is one of the best ways to avoid catching it or transmitting it.

If it’s a house or office space – wipe down door handles, light switches, cupboard doors, and anything else people are likely to touch during a viewing. Do this both before and after a viewing to help prevent transmission of the disease.

You should also ensure you thoroughly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after a viewing. Please you should also avoid touching your mouth, nose, ears, or eyes as much as possible.

3. Leave internal doors open & lights on

Touching infected areas is considered high risk with this virus. But there’s an easy way to help prevent transmission. Simply reduce the number of things people viewing your house need to make contact with.

Leave internal doors open where possible and leave lights switched on or you can leave curtains open for natural light. This way, it may be possible for viewers to see your entire property without even taking their hands out of their pockets!

4. Provide hand sanitizer

We know, we know! Hand sanitizer is as gold dust at the moment, but if you’re lucky enough to hold a good supply, consider leaving a bottle at the house to offer to people as they enter your property.

Under normal circumstances, this may be considered a little rude, but these are not normal circumstances either, everybody knows. It is unlikely that in the current situation anyone would be offended by such an offer.

So, is it right to sell your property during the COVID-19 outbreak?

As we’ve discussed, unless the Government puts some restrictions, it’s just perfectly acceptable to put your property on the market during the pandemic.

That does, of course, assume no one living at your property has any symptoms, whether a keeper, security guard or anyone else. If they do then that changes our advice considerably.

However, provided you are following the advice of healthy experts, government restrictions and taking the necessary precautions to protect both yourself and the people visiting the property, we see no reason why your selling or letting should be brought to a standstill.

Just be aware that while the pandemic is ongoing, there may be a reduced demand for properties. That means you may end up having to accept a lower price in order to achieve a sale. There is also a chance any sales progression will take longer as everyone is and will be trying to deal with the pandemic the best they can.

Finally… stay safe at work with the following 5 core tips for COVID-19 prevention:

1. Regularly clean work surfaces and objects in continual use, such as phones and computer keyboards.

2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 each time or use hand sanitizer, throughout the day.

3. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes. Sneeze or cough into your elbow, not your hands, and avoid shaking hands.

4. Minimize or eliminate exposure to public transit.

5. Stay home if you have even mild cold or flu symptoms.