New property listings may be dwindling but one Lincolnshire-based agent has shown it is still possible to transact and complete in this uncertain market – at a safe distance.

Pygott & Crone branch manager Jamie Aspland tweeted last week that he had completed on a property for a couple that had exchanged in February.

The seller had moved out in March and the property was professionally cleaned and left empty before completion.

Aspland met with the couple at the property and left the key at the door before stepping back, remaining the required two metres apart throughout.

The buyers had to move as their rental contract had come to an end and they will be moving their belongings themselves.

Aspland said: “In these worrying and troubling times I’ve just had the pleasure to see a small piece of happiness as Pygott & Crone’s Sleaford office just completed on a property for this lovely couple that had previously exchanged.

“We took all necessary measures and kept well over two metres apart.”

It is one of 25 properties the 10-branch strong firm is confident of completing on this month.

The agent also helped an NHS worker move into a rental property last week.

The agency’s director Kevin Scrupps said: “Our completion figure is down as we have nearly 400 live sales and would normally transact a third of those during the month.

“It is all about doing what you can in these circumstances.”

“We have put in new structures and systems so we can still operate.”

He added that it is up to a buyer when they move in and if they can find a removal company.

Pygott & Crone has furloughed 75% of its workforce of 110 people across agency, financial services, web design and administration.

Those remaining are working from home and still helping progress sales.

Scrupps added that new sellers are also able to obtain virtual valuations by uploading details of their property.

The agent has also hosted virtual viewings through its vendors if the property is suitable and Scrupps said this may result in 10 listings moving to sold subject to contract.

Scrupps added: “We are very much as community agent and want to do everything within the Government guidelines.

“As long as a property is empty and it is safe and local, we are happy to facilitate an exchange and completion.”

In these worrying and troubling times I’ve just had the pleasure to see a small piece of happiness as @PygottandCrone Sleaford office just completed on a property for this lovely couple that had previously exchanged. We took all necessary measures & kept well over 2 metres apart pic.twitter.com/BTrxGA39WJ

— Jamie Aspland (@jaspland) April 8, 2020