Wigan home sales defy the pandemic

Buying, selling and letting properties had to be put on ice during the first national lockdown.

But this time, firms around the country have been allowed to keep operating, including Standish-based Tracy Phillips Estates.

Owner Tracy Phillips said: “Everything closed last year. We diverted phones, but we couldn’t do appointments and our job is a mixture of both things.”

Her staff were placed on furlough and it was only in May that the business could begin operating properly again.

So it was a huge relief when it was announced estate agents could stay open during the latest lockdown.

Tracy said: “We make a good contribution to the economy, it’s important from that point of view. There are lots of sales ongoing, with the stamp duty holiday there’s been a big boom, so I am guessing there must be a lot of income there for the Government.”

There are safety measures in place to protect Tracy and her staff, as well as people buying and selling properties.

Potential buyers are asked to view properties online first, before going to see them in person.

Tracy said: “We have a locked-door policy in the office, so it’s become more of a workspace rather than a showroom. We have all the protective equipment when we have viewing appointments. We ask for only two viewers, not children if possible, and no touching.

“The new thing this time is opening windows - that’s something nobody had mentioned before, so if we can, we are doing it. Sometimes it’s easy because no-one is living there.

“Obviously all our clients are prepared and asked to wear masks, as they would be going into anywhere.”

It is an uncertain time for many people, particularly financially, but Tracy says the property business remains busy and people still want to move home.

“It’s early days,” she said. “It’s really difficult to tell, but certainly we are getting new business on the market and it doesn’t seem to be deterring viewers either.”

She says people continue to move home for all kinds of reasons, such as choosing a larger or smaller property, or when personal circumstances change, due to a death or separation for example.

Tracy said: “Homes have suddenly become more important this year and people are in them much more. It’s either too big or too small. People are thinking they are not going on holiday or spending money eating out or going out, so let’s move home.”

The pandemic and changes to lifestyles has also led to people looking for different features within their home.

Tracy said: “I think, moving forwards, people realise they might be working from home more so a study has jumped up the list of priorities.”

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