Northeast Association of REALTORS®
Open Houses, Showings, and Closings in a COVID-19 World
Ideas to keep your business moving while everyone is staying home
When you work in a social career like real estate, state-mandated social distancing can be a challenge to your business. But don't fear, NEAR is here to help! We have gathered some ideas to help you continue to do business while keeping your social distance.
1. Virtual Tours and Showings
A great way to continue to show properties is with a virtual tour. There are some video production companies that can create fantastic walkthroughs, floorplans, and aerial footage. If your budget does not allow you to hire someone, a walkthrough can be done simply with your mobile device. Record yourself with a steady hand walking through the home while explaining the property and what you are showing viewers. This recording is best done slowly, with all lights on, and a clear plan of where you are heading before you start walking, so there is not a lot of backtracking.
2. Live Stream "Open Houses"
While all agents hope to have a packed open house, President Trump's announcement that gatherings should be limited to 10 or fewer people, a packed open house is something to be avoided now. To still allow people to have the feeling of going to an open house and the ability to see the property, host a "virtual" open house via social media. Walkthrough the listing, talk about what your viewers are seeing and pay attention to comments. In a live video, people can participate in real-time to ask questions, so watch the comments rolling in, answer the questions, and keep the video interactive as much as possible. Don't forget to advertise your "live-streamed" open house (and abide by state advertising law and the Code of Ethics)!
Check out some useful do's and don'ts from realtor.com here:
Live Streaming Best Practices Realtor.com
3. Web Conference for Meetings
Skype, Zoom, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, and many other tools are excellent for having meetings that feel more face-to-face than a phone call while keeping your social distance. Utilize these tools whenever you can to keep yourself and your clients safe.
Check out these articles to see what software may be the best for you.
Best Video Conferencing Software Real Estate Agent Placester
5 of the Best Video Conferencing Software for Real Estate Agents RealtyBizNews
4. Digital Forms and Signature Applications
Just as there is virtual meeting software, there is virtual document signing software. This can be extremely useful during this unprecedented situation, but even without this software, whenever you can sign, scan, and fax instead of meeting someone in person, you are limiting your exposure as well as theirs and helping keep your social distance. Many of these tools are available for free or at a discount with your Realtor® membership!
5. Soap, Sanitizer, Booties, Masks, and a Good Deep Cleaning
If you must meet in person or show a house, wash your hands often, sanitize when you can but also consider booties and masks. This is an extra precaution that can keep everyone safe as well as keep the additional germs from entering the property. If cleaning is needed before you can deploy the mask and bootie option, there are several companies that can clean and refresh the whole home.
6. Limit Showing Attendee Numbers
If virtual showings are not an option, try to limit the number of guests viewing a property at one time. The fewer people who are in a space together, the better. This allows for more space between people and a less likely chance of people bumping into one another. Keeping your showing numbers to the minimum provides for the most space between people to keep the virus at bay.
7. Have Clients Drive Themselves to Showings
Sharing a small space such as a car can lead to a faster spread of the virus. Small spaces circulate shared air and create an environment for people to touch the same surfaces without sanitizing or washing. Keep your car to you and your immediate family as much as possible. Instead, have your clients meet you at the property.
8. Most Importantly: Listen to Your Client and Do What You Can to Make Them Feel Safe and Keep Yourself Protected
The most important thing to keep in mind is to keep your clients safe and not add to the anxiety of uncertainty. If you have a seller who is uneasy about having people in their home, offer virtual tours and virtual open houses. If you have a buyer who isn't comfortable traveling to a property, offer to do a private virtual showing with them. Keep sanitizer, booties, and masks on hand for any client who wants them and don't shake hands with anyone.
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