The COVID-19 outbreak in our country is making real estate agents reliant on digital technologies to show home listings. Today, we have mobile apps at our disposal which allow agents to not only market home listings, but interact directly with clients. Because many home buyers are unable to view a home in person, a virtual walkthrough is a viable alternative at this time. As we continue to practice social distancing and other safety guidelines, there are several actions that agents can take to ensure the success of their virtual showings in 2020 and beyond.
Know your route
Real estate agents need to plan ahead before hosting a virtual house tour. A potential buyer will see whether or not you have taken the time to do your homework before walking them through the home. The agent should know the path they will take before they host a virtual home tour. You want to be sure that progress through the rooms of a home in an order that makes sense. In other words, you do not want to be walking back and forth multiple times because you did not show the client an area of the home.
Anticipate questions from buyers
As is the case for in person showings, the typical home buyer will ask several questions throughout a virtual showing. Because you will likely be prompted with a variety of questions from prospective buyers, you need to be ready for them. This is another area where preparation is key to hosting a successful virtual showing. You don’t want to find yourself in situations where you can’t answer a client’s questions because you did not plan for them.
Ensure there is quality lighting
Poor lighting is one of the more common mistakes a real estate agent can make when hosting a virtual showing. Unnecessary shadows can make it difficult for prospective buyers to see a home from their phone, tablet, and computer screen. Be sure to turn on all lights and open window shades throughout your home before you connect with a client digitally.
