With the property market opening up there are different ways and restrictions as to how you can view a property on our portfolio depending on whether it’s England or Wales.

However, no matter where the property is, we have the wellbeing of our clients and staff at the core of what we do and how we undertake viewings.

We have developed a four-point process that is very simple to follow:

Step 1 – View our sale properties on our website, Rightmove, Zoopla or OntheMarket

Step 2 – Click on the Virtual Viewing button and watch a video of the property (videos are being added to properties daily)

Step 3 – Contact our office to request a viewing

Step 4:

In England

Complete the COVID-19 Health Assessment Form and then confirm your buying position (proceedable buyers only)

Two adults from the same household can then visit the property at an arranged time. No children will be permitted. You must maintain two-metre social distancing at all times, bring your own hand sanitizer, gloves and masks (might be required). Your viewing will be limited to 15 minutes.

In Wales

Your details will be placed on file and you will be contacted for viewing when the Welsh Government lifts such restrictions.

MMP/NL has already launched a 3D virtual viewing service to allow potential purchasers ‘to walk around’ and view a range of properties via an online platform, negating the need to physically visit a property. This builds on the existing use of videoettes and still photography used on its website.

Its offices in Shropshire, located at Oswestry, will initially offer virtual valuations to all customers wishing to sell or let their properties before a visit is considered. Potential buyers or rental applicants will be offered virtual viewings in the first instance before any physical viewings are offered.

“The safety of our staff, customers and the public is paramount. And so, we are introducing a range of measures that allow us to progress the viewing, sale or letting of properties in England. These will also be introduced at our Mid Wales offices when regulations change in Wales,” said Andrew Turner, a Partner at MMP/NL.

A summary of these procedures is below, with full details available from MMP/NL via email.

Offices

The plan includes checking on the health of staff, ensuring social distancing measures at its offices, including the number of people permitted in an office at any one time. Regular cleaning and sanitising measures are in place.

Valuations

Digital valuations will be offered in the first instance. This allows a complete property valuation to be undertaken with video and telephone meetings held with the seller.

If a face-to-face meeting or valuation is required, MMP/NL will undertake an assessment, including health checks on the member of staff attending and that of the customer. Two-metre distancing will take place and protective gloves will be worn.

Viewings

Where possible, viewings will be limited to the online virtual platform. However, where a prospective buyer wishes to view a property physically (in England), a health check will be carried out on all viewers. The seller and their family will be asked to vacate the property for the duration of the viewing which will be limited to 15 minutes.

“We believe the action we are taking will ensure the safety and wellbeing of all involved in the process of selling, buying or letting a property in the current situation,” added Mr Turner.

More details can be obtained from www.morrismarshall.co.uk, including the full Guild of Property Professionals COVID-19 Six Point Health and Safety Policy.

Being stuck at home during the lockdown rules can be frustrating and, let’s face it, boring. There are only so many tasks and jobs you can do.

If you’re renting a property you might be thinking you want to undertake some decorating or DIY to style your home. But how do you do this without potentially losing your deposit?

Working with our colleagues at the Guild of Property Professionals, we’ve put together 10 top tips to help you update your home without compromising your tenancy agreement.

1. DIY wall art

Not able to wallpaper your home? Not only is wall art a cheap way of adding personality, colour and pattern to a room, but you can also change the colour scheme as often as you want. There are a range of designs, styles and prints available online. Alternatively, keep yourself and your flatmates occupied with a fun activity of painting some artwork yourselves!

If you don't consider yourself particularly skilled when it comes to painting or drawing, you could purchase a paint by numbers kit online, which will offer you a guide and all the supplies you'll need to create a beautiful piece of art.

Be brave and fill your walls with funky artwork, such as lettering prints and screen prints. Lay the paintings or prints on the floor to get an idea of the arrangement you want.

Always check with your landlord before nailing into a wall. If they are reluctant, opt for hanging strips instead as they will be much more effective than blue tack and won't leave any permanent marks.

2. Colourful crockery

Updating your dishes can transform mealtime and if you are unable to choose your kitchen decor, this is a great way to accessorise the room to suit your style.

There are some fashionable, yet affordable styles available to order online, but if you're looking for some activities to do at home to stay creative and entertained, you could purchase a paint kit to decorate plain crockery while in lockdown.

Why shove your stylish pots, pans and utensils in a cabinet when you can show them off? Use a hanging rack to display your prized cookware.

3. Pottery

Home accessories such as vases and fruit bowls are a great way to style your home without a huge price tag. Alternatively, draw inspiration from the pages of catalogues, get your hands dirty and purchase a DIY pottery kit to make your own. This works well as a great group activity, or a therapeutic activity if you live alone.

4. Mirrors

A well-placed mirror can be a powerful asset to any room. Mirrors are known for making space seem larger and more open, but can also be used to distribute light, emphasize colour or artwork on adjacent walls, and even liven up rooms that don't have windows.

Tip: If your landlord is not happy with nails being places into walls, freestanding mirrors work just as well.

5. Scented candles

Candles are a great way to revamp any room. They look elegant, cost-effective, complement homewares and smell fantastic. You may find that simple actions such as lighting a candle can instantly relax you, reduce stress and alter the ambience of the room. If candles aren't for you, consider diffusers or essential oil room spray instead.

6. Light it up

Experimenting with lighting can also alter the ambience of your room. If you have any old fairy lights hanging about, display them across your headboard, style them in empty mason jars, or use them to decorate a shelving unit.

If you have outside space such as a patio or balcony, outdoor fairy lights can make having a glass of wine in the evenings seem more magical.

7. Go green

House plants can not only be used to decorate any room but also come with health benefits by cleaning the air and can boost healing.

For a low maintenance option, choose succulents as they require less care and less frequent watering.

- Spider plants can help with poor air quality within a home and don't require lots of sun.

- Lavender can reduce stress and can aid a better night's sleep.

- Snake plants remove toxins from the air.

- Rosemary can help improve concentration and memory.

8. Trendy textiles

Rugs have magical powers, aside from breathing in necessary warmth into any room, softening the most sterile of environment, they also have the power to together a room and colour scheme.

9. Bathroom hacks

If your bathroom is looking a little worn, a new shower curtain, bathmat and new towels spruce up the space. Pick a colour theme or opt for cool textiles and shades to add more vibrancy to the room.

10. Fresh paint

If your walls are looking grubby, particularly around light switches and plugs, ask your landlord if you can repaint the rooms.

Most landlords won't mind, especially if the paint is a neutral shade like white or cream. This will instantly transform the room, making it appear cleaner and sharper, and will give you a project to spend your weekend on.

If your landlord is happy for you to paint your walls as you please, get creative and paint a feature wall to make the room really pop.

Providing young people with the opportunity to buy their first home within their local community is always going to present challenges, especially in a competitive housing market.

And so, we are pleased to be able to offer affordable homes for sale at Arddleen, near Llanymynech, Powys.

Morris Marshall and Poole with Norman Lloyd, acting on behalf of Primesave Properties Limited, have two homes for sale on Badgers Fields, under the Powys County Council Scheme for Affordable Housing.

Outright ownership for £120,000

Each house has two bedrooms, gardens, off-road parking, oil central heating and they are being offered for sale with 100% outright ownership for just £120,000 which is below the current price guidance for affordable homes in the area, as published by the Welsh Government.

In order to qualify for the scheme buyers must not currently, or previously, have owned a property and the new house must be their main residence. So, these plots cannot be sold as second homes or a buy to let investment. The buyers must also have a close connection to the local community by birth, residency or employment.

Occupy in Spring 2021

Building work on Badgers Fields is starting shortly and the affordable homes should be ready to occupy in Spring 2021. If you would like more details contact Morris Marshall and Poole with Norman Lloyd in Oswestry on 01691 679595 or email oswestry@morrismarshall.co.uk

Full details of the two houses together with a video tour of a similar property can be found on the links below:

https://www.morrismarshall.co.uk/property-for-sale/llanymynech/sy22-6py/1702602

https://www.morrismarshall.co.uk/property-for-sale/llanymynech/sy22-6py/1702603

With property viewings and valuations now permitted in England as part of COVID-19 government restrictions, estate agent Morris, Marshall and Poole with Norman Lloyd has set out strict guidelines for staff and customers to adhere to.

With the different restrictions in place for England and Wales, the Shropshire and Mid Wales estate agent has worked closely with the Guild of Property Professionals on a six-point valuations, sales and lettings plan.

MMP/NL has already launched a 3D virtual viewing service to allow potential purchasers ‘to walk around’ and view a range of properties via an online platform, negating the need to physically visit a property. This builds on the existing use of videoettes and still photography used on its website.

Virtual valuations and viewings

Its offices in Shropshire, located at Oswestry and Bishop’s Castle, will initially offer virtual valuations to all customers wishing to sell or let their properties before a visit is considered. Potential buyers or rental applicants will be offered virtual viewings in the first instance before any physical viewings are offered.

“The safety of our staff, customers and the public is paramount. And so, we are introducing a range of measures that allow us to progress the viewing, sale or letting of properties in England. These will also be introduced at our Mid Wales offices when regulations change in Wales,” said Andrew Turner, a Partner at MMP/NL.

“We’ve been working with the Guild of Property Professionals on a six-point plan that ensures the safest environment possible for all involved in the sale, purchasing and letting process.”

A summary of these procedures is below, with full details available from MMP/NL via email.

Offices

The plan includes checking on the health of staff, ensuring social distancing measures at its offices, including the number of people permitted in an office at any one time. Regular cleaning and sanitising measures are in place.

Valuations

Digital valuations will be offered in the first instance. This allows a complete property valuation to be undertaken with video and telephone meetings held with the seller.

If a face-to-face meeting or valuation is required, MMP/NL will undertake an assessment, including health checks on the member of staff attending and that of the customer. Two-metre distancing will take place and protective gloves will be worn.

Viewings

Where possible, viewings will be limited to the online virtual platform. However, where a prospective buyer wishes to view a property physically (in England), a health check will be carried out on all viewers. The seller and their family will be asked to vacate the property for the duration of the viewing which will be limited to 15 minutes.

“We believe the action we are taking will ensure the safety and wellbeing of all involved in the process of selling, buying or letting a property in the current situation,” added Mr Turner.

More details can be obtained from www.morrismarshall.co.uk, including the full Guild of Property Professionals COVID-19 Six Point Health and Safety Policy

Virtual online viewings of properties available to rent in Mid Wales and Shropshire will allow prospective tenants a safe environment to consider and apply for a suitable property.

Building on its 3D virtual viewing tool for properties for sale, Morris, Marshall and Poole with Norman Lloyd is to launch a similar tool for rental properties using video technology.

It will allow applicants the chance to view the property via a computer, smartphone or tablet.

“Initially, we’ll have around 60 properties that are currently vacant and available to rent on the virtual viewing platform,” said Andrew Turner, a Partner at MMP/NL.

Videos and still images of rental properties will be available

“Prospective tenants will be able to view video and still imagery of the property they’re interested in. If they want to move forward to apply for it, they will then be offered a physical viewing under social distancing guidelines. They can then submit an online application through our lettings team.

The required financial checks, references and deposits will all be dealt with electronically. Where signed documents are required, these can be posted to the lettings team.

Arrangements to attend an office will be under strict coronavirus guidelines, adhering to social distancing measures.

MMP/NL lets and manages more than 1,000 properties throughout Powys, Shropshire, Ceredigion and Gwynedd on behalf of landlords.

Guidelines in place for the safety of clients and employees

During the coronavirus situation, it has worked on and developed guidelines to ensure the safety of its clients and staff.

It is using online video messaging apps, such as Zoom and FaceTime, to host meetings with potential property vendors and purchasers, tenancy applicants, as well as landlords seeking to let properties.

It has also launched a 3D virtual viewing platform that allows people to walk through properties from the safety of their own home via a computer, smartphone or tablet.

More details can be found at www.morrismarshall.co.uk, by telephoning your local MMP/NL office, or via email.