Top tips for selling your house used to include the smell of freshly made filter coffee and baking bread, but now your green fingers could be your most important asset, according to Worcestershire estate agents Nicol & Co.

The company, which has offices in Droitwich and Worcester, is reporting a huge increase in requests for properties with gardens and outside space in general.

Matt Nicol, managing director of Nicol & Co, said: “We always used to major on pictures of kitchens and master bedrooms as the key features in a property, but since lockdown people have clearly started to appreciate the outdoors.

“Now, the first question about a property is often ‘Does it have a garden’?”

His comments echo the findings of a Rightmove report produced for the BBC that lockdown had changed the priorities of many home buyers and renters.

Mr Nicol said: “When you are working from home, you appreciate the garden as somewhere to go and take an eye break from your computer screen or just let your mind settle. Previously you might have considered gardening and cutting the lawn as a chore that had to be tackled at the weekend.

“I think we will see an increased interest in country living. If you are not required in the office every day anymore, then you may consider living further away. If you only have to attend meetings once a week where you live and your home environment is likely to be more important.”

He believes being on the ball and being able to move swiftly enabled Nicol & Co to steal a march on the company’s rivals.

“While others went to ground as soon as lockdown was announced, we moved swiftly to remote working and we were able to carry on with virtual viewings due to our early adoption of the very latest technology.”

Nicol & Co was the first UK company to adopt the Gavl app for livestream viewings.

Matt Nicol said: “Our experience is that despite the challenges of the lockdown, a lot of people were wanting to view properties, in fact even more than normal.

“Being conscious of government guidance we decided to provide the opportunity for a virtual first before physical viewings. Since we introduced Gavl livestream viewings the results have been superb.

A snapshot provided by Nicol & Co shows that the company conducted 119 livestream viewings between 4 May and 7 June, viewed by nearly 1,400 potential buyers. These buyer engagements developed into 313 private viewings and resulted in a total of 30 sales in the same period.

Mr Nicol said: “What we’ve found is that supply is low and demand is high, and that despite COVID-19 now is the perfect time to sell your property.”

Ends (455 words)

For further information, please call:

Matt Nicol, Managing Director, Nicol & Co, 226 Worcester Road, Droitwich Spa, WR9 8AY

Tel: 01905 799072

Notes to Editors

Established in 2009, Nicol & Co is an award-winning estate agency offering advice on sales, lettings, new homes and land purchase. The company combines the latest in digital media with traditional high street courtesy and service to provide the perfect blend of old and new technology.

Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner at ASAP, 01789 490786, mobile 07990 978257.