Open home and auction restrictions

Open homes and on-site auction restrictions starting to ease.

As we turn the corner on COVID-19 isolation restrictions, buyers and sellers of property in some states will benefit as open home and display village inspections take steps to resume.

Here’s what it means for real estate in your state:

New South Wales

After a 6 week ban on open home inspections and on-site auctions, the NSW Treasurer has announced the restrictions will begin to ease.

From next weekend, real estate agents in New South Wales will be able to resume traditional property inspections and on-site auctions.

“Choosing a home is one of the biggest decisions anybody makes and easing the restrictions to ensure people can more easily inspect, buy or rent a property is an important step for NSW,” Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said.

“The real estate industry has been adaptable in transitioning to online auctions, property inspections by appointment or online, and now as we make the move back to a more normal mode of operation we must ensure safety measures such as social distancing remain a key part of the process.”

“Real estate agents should limit the number of people viewing a property and attending an auction, follow stringent cleaning and safety guidelines, ensure clients do not touch surfaces and always have hand sanitiser.”

Queensland

Queensland Health announced that from 1 May, open house inspections are now permitted with a maximum of six people inside the building at any one time, including the real estate agent, providing there was no more than one person per 4 square metres and social distancing is observed.

Private inspections can continue by private appointment.

While auctions will continue online at this stage, it is expected Queensland will return to on-site auctions in the coming weeks.

Victoria

Real estate inspections and auctions will remain digital for the time being, with a two-person gathering limit inside and outside the home remain in place.

Victoria’s state of emergency could be potentially be lifted on 11 May and restrictions may change after this date.

These changes are positive news for the real estate sector and encouraging signs for all downsizers.