Covid has quickly increased the need for virtual showings. Although real estate is cited as an essential service, many sellers still encourage serious enquiries only. Helping to weed-out looky-loos while upholding public safety, an effective virtual showing is more important than ever. Different from a virtual tour (often pre-recorded and provided by a listing agent), a virtual showing is often live-streamed by a Buyer’s agent and is intended to provide an immersive experience to prospective Buyers.
Here are 10 tips for hosting effective virtual showings.
Send all Existing Property Information in Advance
Sending property details to your clients in advance will help refine questions that might be answered during your virtual showing. Listing details, property disclosures, virtual collateral provided by the listing agent, is information that will help your clients make the best use of their time during a scheduled virtual showing.
Schedule a Showing Time
Similar to an in-person showing, you’ll need to nail down a time when your clients are available and when the property is available to view.
Choose an Appropriate App
Consider using apps like Facetime, Skype, Zoom, or Google Hangouts for your virtual showing. If your client has a preferred app, consider using the app of their choice and adapting accordingly.
Charge Up
Live streaming can drain your smartphone’s battery. Ensure your phone is fully charged ahead of the showing to avoid any disruption. Be sure to bring your phone’s charger just in case.
Arrive Early and Prep the Space
To avoid fumbling with keys, lights, or doors while touring the property, be sure and arrive early to unlock doors and turn on lights.
Make Notes
After reviewing the property details, make notes of property highlights or areas of concern. Since your clients aren’t in-person to check things out themselves, consider pointing out the best and not-so-great parts of the property.
Leverage the Floor Plan
Encourage your clients to keep a copy of the property’s floor plan handy during the tour, leaving them better able to follow along.
Provide Your Perspective
Just like still pictures, video tours lack plenty of the perspective otherwise offered by an in-person visit. Details like natural light, ceiling height or overall space, is often difficult to discern. Offer your clients perspective as you move through the space acting as their eyes, ears and nose. Point out things like exterior noise, creaky floorboards, and funky smells.
Tour the Outside
Walk the exterior of the property including the frontage and backyard (if applicable). In the case of condos, consider not just touring the outside of the building, but the common areas too.
Leave Time for Questions
After touring through the property, allow enough time for your clients to ask questions and engage in a post-showing debrief.
For More Virtual Showing Resources, click here.
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