Realtors must now take extra precaution and get creative when it comes to promoting open houses. The many adversities of 2020, primarily the C-19 pandemic, have drastically affected how many businesses are doing things, and the real estate industry is not exempt. When states started calling for companies to shut down and people advised to stay home in March of 2020, many people believed it would only be for a few weeks. Those few weeks turned into month after month, which caused business owners to rethink how they operate. Many businesses found out pretty quickly that they could run virtually from home.
Home Sales Must Go On
For realtors, home sales must go on, just as life goes on. And, low interest rates mean a busy industry altogether. After the initial halt on the real estate market in March of 2020, the market gradually picked up again in various parts of the country. Now, the market is stronger than ever, and business is booming.
How Things Have Changed
While people are still buying and selling houses, it’s the showing of homes that has changed drastically. Let’s face it; people still want to see the home they are purchasing in person. After all, buying a new home is one of the most significant investments you will ever make. Realtors have had to come up with new ways to showcase homes to comply with health and safety regulations.
In March 2020, gone were the days of going to open house events as a leisure weekend. In Houston’s priciest neighborhoods, open house events were always a fancy affair. Many open house events had catered lunches, wine, and cheese tastings, even live music. Now, open house events are handled differently. The Dallas-Fort Worth area, in particular, is seeing many open houses again now that the industry standards for safe practices have been in effect.
New Rules for Visiting Open Houses
The new standards allow for a minimum number of groups (between 1-3 groups, depending on the house’s size) in the house at a time, while others wait in line outside (6 feet apart, of course!). Realtors may provide hand sanitizer, foot coverings, and face masks. There may be a list of requests, such as refraining from touching light switches and door knobs. Homeowners may choose to leave the lights on and doors open to prevent the spread of germs. Keep in mind that you may be asked to sign a waiver confirming you do not have symptoms or a visitor log for contact tracing. With these safety practices in place, potential buyers are now starting to feel more confident, and people are showing up in droves at these open house events. This has led to multiple offers on homes and connections to buyers and new leads for realtors.
Virtual Tours Are On The Rise
Many realtors provide 3D virtual tours that can showcase every square inch of the home in beautiful high definition. Virtual home tours helped save the real estate market in some cities after the coronavirus first caused businesses to shut down. Virtual tours are here to stay and will continue to be a popular tool for sellers and agents. As the nation continues to adjust to the ever-changing rules and regulations of doing life during a pandemic, it’s crucial to find ways for life and business to go on.
9 Tips For Realtors To Promote Open Houses For Success:
- Make sure the property is show ready (maintained yard, porch flowers/plants, clean home, staged properly)
- Place a sign in the yard prior to the open house along with directionals that will easily lead people to the address
- Publish a post about the event on social media in advance with details on safety precautions that will be in place to make people feel safe.
- Record a virtual walk through of the property just before the open house when it is photo ready to post after the open house for those who could not attend or hold a live virtual open house tour separately
- Plan ahead to have footstep placeholders outside leading to the front door to keep guests 6 feet apart while waiting
- Pass out new pens so that guests do not have to be concerned about germs when they sign in
- Have masks and sanitizer handy for those who are not prepared
- Provide a proper parting packet (flyer with special features about the property, schools and community at minimum)
- If able, do not allow showings to begin until the open house to create demand for the grand opening
Contributing author: Melissa Momcilovich
