Covid-19 and real estate. I'm an agent - what should I be doing now?

Stay positive and build your business for the future. Take advantage of working from home to do the administrative tasks you don’t often have time to get to and to evaluate your business.

Ask yourself, how am I positioned for the future? The current situation has accelerated the trend among buyers and sellers to do more and more online. Are you where you need to be? Is your web presence strong and compelling? Are you using online tools and services to their fullest potential?

• Update your online profiles – on Nobul, LinkedIn, and your social media channels. Remember that a picture speaks a thousand words. Ensure that yours is up-to-date and professional.
• Create a video! A short video about yourself and your real estate services lets buyers and sellers get to know you in a safe, online environment.
• Gather testimonials. Now is the time to reach out to people who you’ve helped buy or sell and ask them for a few sentences describing their experience working with you. Reviews and testimonials are powerful. Gather them and post them where they will be seen.
• Ensure your continuing education requirements are met – do your online courses now.
• Stay connected to the industry – read bulletins from your local real estate board and associations. Keep current.
• Evaluate your current marketing programs. What has returned results? What are your costs for the business building initiatives you’ve used? Now is the time to jettison anything that has not produced positive results.

How can you help buyers?

• Use every available online resource. If floorplans, virtual tours and sufficient photos of a property are not posted with the listing request them from the listing agent.
• Geowarehouse has a wealth of information. Use GoogleEarth and Street View to get a feel for the neighbourhood. “Walk” the street.
• Use the resources above to narrow down the search to only properties your clients are seriously interested.
• Buyer very interested in a property? Conduct a live-stream viewing if possible. Book a viewing just for you alone and walk your client through it virtually using a streaming app on your phone. You can show your client the property and talk them through it in real time.
• If you do meet clients in person practice social distancing, sanitize every surface before you or they touch them – doorknobs, counters, lockboxes, etc. - and resist the urge to shake hands or make any physical contact.
• Restrict showings (where they’re allowed) to the fewest number of people possible.
• Understand what’s possible for buyers – your brokerage will likely have provided you with suggested terms and conditions for use in agreements at this time. Make sure you understand how you can help buyers purchase as safely as possible.
• Stay informed and keep your buyers informed as thing change.

How can you help sellers?

Seller ready to sell?

• Understand the restrictions in your area on showing a listing.
• Explore options for allowing buyers to see homes digitally and safely through virtual open houses, 3D tours/floorplans, live-stream walk throughs.
• Make surveys, floorplans, and feature sheets easily available online.
• Continuously update your seller on changing restrictions (if any) and market conditions
• Understand how new terms and conditions that may be included in an offer to purchase may impact the seller.
• As always, seek professional legal help and the assistance of your broker.

Seller not ready to sell?

• Ask the Seller to provide you with a thorough virtual walk through of the property and building. Make detailed recommendations for exterior and interior improvements and touch ups.
• Keep your seller continuously informed of market conditions.

Remember to keep your clients engaged and positive

We’re here to help! Contact [email protected] or call us at 1 800 321 5907. These are challenging times but we're all in it together. Let us know how we can help.