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Coronavirus: A Selling Guide for Realtors

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It doesn’t matter where you live or work in the country, you have seen it: the escalating response to the Coronavirus or the Covid-19 pandemic. What seemed to be a faraway problem just weeks ago has spread to nearly every corner of the globe. Even those areas that have not (yet) reported cases of the coronavirus are acting preemptively with calls for social distancing and the closure of schools, stadiums, restaurants, and any other arena for public gathering. Churches have pitched in by cancelling services, and businesses are encouraging employees to work from home whenever possible.

 

The real estate market is not immune to the effects of the coronavirus. Besides the virus itself, anxieties over a stock market collapse are driving some buyers away, while at the same time, low interest rates are pulling others in. Still, fewer home buyers are actively searching for properties. Some listings are being delayed. Sellers are concerned about visitors spreading the virus around their homes and buyers are afraid to come into contact with a carrier at an open house. Agents, too, are worried about the spread of the contagion across a table or in the car. Some practices in real estate need to be amended and others emphasized (such as 3D marketing strategies ) to protect sellers and buyers… and agents.

 

 

As the real estate market approaches the selling season, what can you do as an agent to accommodate your clients, alleviate their fears, and instill a sense of confidence in uncertain times? Can creative solutions, such as real estate 3D virtual tours , offer hope and help for those actively in the market? As the number of coronavirus cases and deaths rises, agents across the country are forced to adapt their practices. Acts as simple as shaking hands have given way to the disease in favor of fist bumps and elbow bumps. If that is the case, what might that mean for your face-to-face meetings, showings, and open house plans?

 

Addressing Concerns Over Coronavirus

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently published a set of guidelines encouraging agents to offer alternative marketing opportunities for their sellers. The suggestions include those made by the CDC related to Covid-19:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Practice social distancing by staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick
  • Stay home if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other cold or flu-like symptom
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve

Also, to help prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, the CDC recommends that, for the next eight weeks, all in-person events of fifty or more people be cancelled, postponed, or modified to virtual events.

So, what does that mean for you and your clients?

What it doesn’t mean is fear and panic. It is certainly reasonable to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your clients. But, keep in mind, NAR cautions against violations of the Fair Housing Act. For instance, it is okay to refuse to drive clients who have recently travelled to areas of heightened risk of coronavirus or who show signs of illness.  You can even stop driving clients in your vehicle altogether. In your efforts to remain vigilant, just make sure that any business practice that you change is applied equally to all clients. 

Otherwise, make sure to offer plenty of hand sanitizer in your office. Ensure that all surfaces are properly cleaned and disinfected. Stay home if you are sick. And come up with creative ideas to keep in touch with your community.

Creative Solutions for Real Estate Marketing

It is wise to follow the advice of the CDC and NAR in regards to personal contact and group activities. Fortunately, there are some effective strategies that you might consider in this ever-evolving environment. Some may already be in your marketing toolbox. Others are available to be at your disposal. Each strategy allows you to serve your clients while respecting their need for safety.

 

  • 3D Virtual Tours. Avoiding large in-person gatherings is an effective measure that can reduce the risk of contracting or spreading coronavirus. Naturally, many sellers (and buyers) are concerned about the spread of the disease at events such as open houses. So, speak honestly with your seller about the pros and cons of holding an open house. And be ready to offer an alternative with a 3D tour for real estate , such as a Matterport 3D Virtual Tour ). Taking your open house online helps your sellers avoid disinfecting every surface in their homes after the event and protects buyers from passing the virus along to one another. You can also rely on a 3D tour for virtual showings of a property that can narrow down a list of potential buyers to those who are serious. You can view a Matterport property together with a client or let them view it in the security of their own home while you answer questions by text, phone, or social media . What is Matterport? It is a virtual 3D showcase designed to make buyers feel like they are inside of a property when they are actually seeing it on a computer screen or mobile device. In these virtual reality tours , users gain a 360-degree view of a home in an interactive and immersive experience, complete with high-impact imagery across inside, floorplan, and dollhouse views. Matterport 3D Virtual Tours even have the added benefit of helping with your SEO strategy .

 

 

  • Social Media Marketing. An advantage of social media is its ability to connect people from all over in the digital domain. In this time when folks are encouraged to practice social distancing, social media is an effective tool to help you stay in touch with your clients and reach out to prospective buyers and sellers. You can effectively use social media for real estate marketing to maintain a consistent presence in your market, offer relevant and interesting information, present a positive picture of your professional brand, and promote a sense of security as an authoritative and reassuring voice in the community. Of course, social media outlets abound: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and more.

 

  • Print Advertising. This old standard is just as relevant today as it has ever been. Direct mail advertising and other print advertising options – real estate brochures , flyers , and postcards – continue to present an opportunity for you to connect with your audience, especially at a time when in-person contact is being avoided. If you want to leave a lasting impression with your customers, stand out from the crowd, and offer a broad customer experience, print advertising should be a strong part of your marketing mix . In fact, print advertising is perceived as a trustworthy source of information over other forms of advertisement, giving you an opportunity to speak in an authoritative voice to your customers. Go a step further and tie your print products to your digital platforms with a QR code that links to your website or any other online source.

 

In these uncertain times, people need to hear a clear voice of reason and know someone is there to serve the interests of their families. How can you help? Do not panic. Stay informed. Realize that strategies like real estate video are no longer optional and offer them to your clients. Be the agent who chooses to be a calming influence in a world that sometimes seems to be losing its collective mind. 

 

Meet Victor Coll, a seasoned expert in the art of in-bound content marketing. With a proven track record in crafting winning content strategies, Victor excels in attracting and engaging audiences organically. His proficiency extends to optimizing content for maximum impact, resulting in increased brand visibility and audience retention.   Victor's dedication to the art of in-bound content marketing has helped businesses achieve remarkable growth. Join him as he shares invaluable insights and strategies to empower your content marketing efforts and drive meaningful connections with your target audience.

Craig Westerman - Owner & Founder

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Craig Westerman - Owner & Founder

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Craig Westerman - Owner & Founder

Annapolis 20% off Discount City Page

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