REALTORS EXPAND USE OF TECHNOLOGY -- PART 6

CONTINUE CUSTOMIZED CLIENT SERVICE IN THE TIME OF COVID

Rosshirt said prolonged work from home will show the weakness or benefits of current living arrangements.

“Flex space may be less desirable than a dedicated work area. Internet reliability, capacity and speed will be critical for some jobs. Areas with Google fiber may earn a premium,” he observed.

If two people are working at home, a shared work space may not be practical,” Rosshirt added.

“One couple I just closed with on a new house have been both forced to work at home. Her counseling work is transferring to the internet well enough, but she must maintain privacy in her work.

His work is high tech and he has been capable or working at home for a long time but now it is full-time and it can be loud (gaming). So, the floor plan they chose provided two workspaces very separate from the other.”

REALTORS EXPAND USE OF TECHNOLOGY -- PART 5

CONTINUE CUSTOMIZED CLIENT SERVICE IN THE TIME OF COVID

Ohio REALTORS has created a coronavirus resources page on its website, providing members with important links and top headlines from lawmakers, agencies and related groups in Ohio and across the nation.

Its best practices include conducting virtual meetings with its local boards and associations, as well as with elected Realtor leadership -- since the onset of the pandemic.

Rosshirt said with so many people working remotely, there likely will be a permanent change to facilitating virtual work in home design.

“A company may realize they do not need expensive real estate if their employees can be effective remotely,” he said.

Developers are already moving to multi-use plans where the office component is matched with nearby appropriate living and retail/entertainment.”

REALTORS EXPAND USE OF TECHNOLOGY -- PART 2

CONTINUE CUSTOMIZED CLIENT SERVICE IN THE TIME OF COVID

John Rosshirt, Associate Broker/Co-Owner of Stanberry REALTORS in Austin Texas, said more visuals are being added to many listings. He said agents are using high and low tech to add video.

“Some agents are just walking through their listing with a simple wordless video on their smart phone to have something extra to upload,” he said of low-tech solutions. “Photographers are adding 3D technology to their offerings to agents. 

Agents are using Zoom to stay in touch with their clients.

“I have set up special lighting and rearranged what is behind me so I make a professional impression. People who are isolated love this contact and I find they like to talk,” he said, reminding REALTORS that the personal touch is needed – even if it is virtual.

“Calls do seem to take longer because people have a need to talk about the new challenges in their life as well as the new challenges in achieving their real estate goals.”

REALTORS EXPAND USE OF TECHNOLOGY -- PART 1

CONTINUE CUSTOMIZED CLIENT SERVICE IN THE TIME OF COVID

The Corona Virus Pandemic is rapidly changing the way REALTORS conduct business. 

Virtual tours and app-based conferencing have played a major role while brokerages scramble to balance excellent client service with social distancing, stay at home orders and other elements of the new normal.

Perhaps the most profound lesson, in the view of leading residential and commercial REALTORS around the nation, is that COVID-driven changes will make lasting impressions on the industry – even after there is a vaccine, a drop in cases and a general return to life before the virus.

Virtually every top-producing pro contacted for this story believes virtual technology will play an even larger role – in a field already known for online video walkthroughs of houses and properties. 

Many feel remote work will greatly increase, changing the way firms large and small measure their need for formal office space.