Homeowner anxious to find lockdown buyer as new home settlement date draws closer

An Auckland couple trying to sell their home before their new one settles say they’re feeling “helpless and stressed” as lockdown restrictions prevent buyers from viewing it.

It comes after a community case of COVID-19 plunged New Zealand back into alert level 4. Lockdown restrictions, in place until at least August 31 for Auckland, prevent open homes and private viewings, meaning buyers can only view properties online.

Auckland couple Eva and Richard say the sudden lockdown is affecting not only their income, it’s also stalling their house sale plans.

After buying their current one-bedroom Epsom unit in 2016, their family has since grown to four. In early August – before the lockdown started – they bought a bigger home in Mt Wellington, agreeing on a settlement date of November 10.

Just over a week before lockdown started, they listed the unit with a real estate agent, paying $3500 in marketing costs. But as lockdown restrictions now prevent buyers from going to see it, they’re worried it won’t be sold in time, telling Newshub they’re feeling “helpless and stressed”.

“Lockdown is totally screw[ing] up our plan of changing home and puts us in a very stressful situation,” the couple says.