The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has filled the globe with uncertainty, especially when it comes to making a living, and the real estate industry is no exception. You’ve just listed several new homes, you have clients coming in looking to buy, and home-quarantines are a real possibility. You very likely have children that are out of school for at least the next two weeks on top of it all. What will you do?
First and foremost, take care of yourself and your family. Most schools are closed, but administrators have asked teachers to post assignments on school system websites, or via email. If you’re working from home while they’re out of school, you’ll need some scheduling so all of you will get something done! Clear the dining table, set everyone’s work out, including your own, and have a set time that everyone must complete a couple of tasks. Help them where you can but have the school’s resource links at the ready so they can help themselves as well. You can continue to work while they take a break–playing, watching a movie, or once they’re in bed at night. Let them know that this is a strange normal, but everyone will have work to complete while they’re on “break.” You just might be surprised at how resilient your children are when it comes to getting work done and learning on their own!
When it comes to your buyers, if it is not against any quarantines or regulations show houses! Meet the clients (drive alone) and be sure to wash or sanitize your hands before and after the showing. You or your clients may not feel comfortable going into other homes, and that’s when you’ll need to take a more creative approach when it comes to showings. Set up video calls via Google Duo, GoToMeeting, or FaceTime, and have virtual tours/online listings of the homes they’d like to see ready to go on your browser. Be sure to send them the links so you know you’ll be “touring” the same house.
Offer some comfort to your homeowners by letting them know that while they may not be physically seeing people looking at their property, the listing photos, virtual tour or even promotional video are all online, and the internet is still running! Remind them that you are doing your best to market their home in this unusual situation, and everything will work out–we just must be patient.
All of this means that you need to increase your online presence. During your normal working hours, have social media notifications turned on your smartphone so you can answer any direct messages to your different platforms. Respond as quickly as possible, and offer to give house hunters a phone call, as some things get lost in translation in “written” messages.
Be available to everyone more than usual and be prepared to be talking on your phone more than normal. Keep in touch with your clients but make it more personal by giving them a call. When and if you do get out and about, smile at others, say “Hello,” and just be kind. So many people are feeling isolated and afraid right now, and we should all be understanding as we get through this phase together.
As Virtual Assistants for over twenty years, we’re accustomed to working from home. Give us a call at (757) 282-6496 or send us an email, and let us help you!
