Virtual Showings Are A Good Idea

We've been doing it for a long time...showing homes virtually to our out of town clients. Life gets in the way and a potential buyer finds a perfect home but just can't carve out the time to come and take a look. That's where a fast response allows us to make a visit to the property, photograph or video the property and before supper, the images are in the buyer's inbox.

Obviously, during the Covid-19 outbreak previewing has become more the norm. It allows all of us to keep a safe distance and still continue business as 'almost usual'.

Virtual previewing isn't a new thing. It's been around for a long time. Unfortunately, some agents don't subscribe to the process saying that it's a waste of time on their part because what buyer would buy a house without physically making a visit? Actually, we work for our buyers and sellers and our ability to provide this service can make a huge difference. There are times when a buyer, after seeing a preview video, decides not to pursue a property because it just doesn't fit. Our feeling is that it's far better to eliminate a property than waste a buyer's time making a physical visit that produces nothing for the buyer.

Properties have been sold virtually through the use of video previews. Obviously, there is a high level of trust between the buyer and the agent in most of these cases. A reputable real estate professional should intimately know the buyer's requirements and using that information be able to access the value of a property for the buyer.

Sellers also benefit from virtual showings aside from the obvious benefit of a buyer seeing the property no matter by what means. Sellers rely on their agents and showing agents to use whatever means necessary to get their property in front of potential buyers. Allowing a buyer the opportunity to view a property from the comfort of their living room can make the difference and potentially the sale.