The pandemic and introduction of social distancing have changed part of the landscape in the real estate world, likely forever. In recent months, Realtors around the country and new home builders alike have all been impacted by the importance of being able to reach their audiences through virtual means. With many home buyers either being asked to stay at home or choosing to do so themselves, they have taken their search online and have expectations that what they want to see will be there.
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To the advantage of both buyers and sellers, technology has come to the forefront and has given many individuals the opportunity to show and sell homes from any distance. Its ease of use and access can now take you from your living room sofa directly into touring a new home in an instant. Home shoppers that have questions now have more options than ever to speak with a representative — from a complete guided virtual experience through video conferencing, live-chat question and answer feature on websites, social media business pages, e-mail, and more.
Agents all over the country now have more tools available to them for showcasing their homes in a virtual way. High-quality photos and videos are crucial during this time of virtual selling. These assets can make all the difference for buyers who are still wary of in-person visits, so investing in equipment or software capable of creating high-quality content, such as 360 tours, could be a way to maximize the degree to which this showcasing occurs. Drones are one of the many tech assets that can help create beautiful aerial views of communities, thus, helping to grab prospective buyers’ attention. However, there are still ways to create content using everyday equipment and resources. For example, there are some websites where you can virtually stage a home; the technology being used has come such a long way to the point that it can be indistinguishable from the real in-person version. Just be sure to analyze if the content you’re producing and projecting will look professional to potential buyers.
While being able to create this new online experience is certainly key to assisting shoppers in finding their new home, it is still important that agents can connect with potential buyers on a personal level. When communicating directly with shoppers, either over the phone or on a video conference call, our team members are guiding them through the entire process and securing their trust and, ultimately, their business. Making this connection virtually may be more challenging than doing so in person, so be prepared, professional, and comfortable using new resources.
Sellers in today’s marketplace are seeking new ways of creating a more complete online experience. New home sales professionals that have adapted quickly or already held a strong foothold in the virtual space may reach a larger audience, generate more sales, and add a sense of ease and comfort to a new digital buying experience. Regardless of what happens in the coming months, it may be possible that many buyers will continue to seek out a more socially distant buying experience, and this is something that we, as new home sales professionals, need to continue to excel at with our teams.