MG Legal Solicitors 
Longridge: 01772 783314 Garstang: 01995 602129 Lancaster: 01524 581306 Lytham: 01253 202452  
A person using an iPad to sign.
With the property market on hold and in-person house viewings suspended, Estate Agents have started to offer virtual tours of properties on the market. 
 
We are seeing “stay at home” adverts everywhere so buying a house or looking for rentals in this climate can feel like a challenge however Foxtons told “Which?” earlier this week that they have more than a 1000 video tours available. 
 
MG Legal’s Property Law Team have also heard from Estate Agents who are using online video calls using apps such as Zoom and WhatsApp to let the Buyer ask the Seller questions about the property. 

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As a result, we are pleased to report that we are still receiving instructions for both sales and purchases. We do of course recommend that Buyers arrange a follow up appointment as a video may not do the property justice. Remember that you are not legally bound to purchase a property until the exchange of contracts has taken place. So, if you really wanted you could even instruct your Solicitor to start making investigations into the legal title of the property whilst we are in lockdown then arrange a viewing in person as soon as restrictions are lifted. 
 
In the meantime, google street view or local Facebook groups may be able to assist you in getting a “feel” for a new area. 
 
The Property Ombudsman has recommended that you use virtual viewings as a “filtering process” although if you do decide to consider to make an offer based on a virtual viewing we have a few suggestions to make things easier for you: 
 
1. If you decide to make an offer then make sure any offer is made subject to physical inspection 
2. Save a copy of the virtual tour so you can refer back if there are any unforeseen issues 
3. Try to get a live virtual tour rather than a pre-recorded, edited version; that way you can ask questions and give directions as to where you want to look. 
4.Remember to ask to look outside, what does the garden look like? Ask questions that you may not be able to gage during lock down. Such as, how busy is the street or road outside? What are parking conditions like? Do you have to have a residents permit to park on the street? How close are the neighbouring properties? 
5. Remember, you’re not buying shoes, you can’t return a property if you realise you don’t like it when you get it home! Don’t rush to commit after a virtual tour. 
 
Most importantly don’t rush in to making a decision based solely on a virtual tour. Your Property Solicitors in Garstang will be here for you when you have made your decision and we understand that sometime you need to get a sense of feeling from a house before you let it become your future home. So, when you are ready contact MG Legal online via enquiries@mglegal.co.uk or by calling 01995 602 129. 
MG Legal – Your Local Solicitors 
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