Hello there, and if you are a realtor, i hope you've been coping fine the past 2 months!
It certainly hasn't been easy on our minds and pockets to stay long hours indoors and transact alot less volume than before.
Gladly, we are seeing a return to normalcy and hopefully, the worst has past.
In this article, i will provide you with the steps to take to conduct virtual viewings smoothly, create free simple videos quickly and e-sign your documents easily!
Prior to COVID-19, the real estate world of leads generation and marketing has been drastically changing.
Where news paper ads were once the medium of choice for real estate listings, it was transcended by online portals and now, more than ever, by push marketing via Facebook, Instagram, YouTube among others.
With real estate being a high value physical product that usually warrants in person inspections, virtual reality simulations and listing videos had their limitations in just being another medium of exposure.
Fast forward today, and it's relevance cannot be more important to us and consumers.
In April and May, despite the closure of all show-flats and restrictions on real estate viewings, 277 new homes and 309 resale properties were sold.
How did this happen in spite of the lock down?
Enter the new norm of real estate purchases - Virtual Viewings
With brand new homes, we can easily comprehend why watching videos and virtual walk-throughs would suffice - the show-flats are highly adorned and will look far from what we get at TOP anyway (Except maybe the bathrooms and kitchens).
Hence, it makes perfect sense for new homes, that come with warranties, to be sell-able during lock downs.
With homes on the resale market however, the story can't be further from this.
Resale homes come in as is condition with all its inherent characteristics, from stains in the floor to leakages in the ceilings, and no warranties are provided.
Hence, realtors who have adapted to new ways of selling have sought to allay the fears of buyers by providing assurances via virtual viewings on Zoom or WhatsApp over the last 2 months.
With the cooperation of tenants and sellers, buyers get to inspect the property remotely and close in on specific areas where necessary.
So, what are the steps necessary for conducting a virtual viewing? Is it just as simple as making a video call or are there additional preparations for it?
Step 1 - Create a customised artwork like this using Canva.com (Or get your free artworks if you're a NAVIS)
Step 2 - WhatsApp the image with a simple example message to property owners
Example:
Dear client, As you know the current environment does not allow physical viewings. As such our team are inviting owners to take part in virtual viewings via WhatsApp or Zoom so that we can achieve your goals of selling or renting without COVID-19 interrupting your plans. Virtual viewings are easy! Narration of the house will be done by me and you just need to bring your phone around the house. We have had a lot of owners join in and increasing deals closed this way. Pls let me know if I can rope you in for this so that we can find a buyer/tenant swiftly for you and move ahead with your goals! As you know, action takers win and i hope we can overcome this together! Let me know if you prefer to have the instructions for Zoom or Whatsapp?
Step 3 - Send a video guide for clients on how to prepare their homes (and themselves) for virtual viewings
This is a sample link you can send them with both English and Mandarin subtitles. (https://youtu.be/Jrr8PylW9Zo)
Step 4 - Send client's either the Zoom Guide or the WhatsApp video call guide
** Take note that by using WhatsApp call, your clients can see each other's mobile numbers. Hence, Zoom is preferred.
The following PDF guides are for clients so send it to them before the viewing so they have ample time to learn how it works (Many are still new to the functions within)
Step 5 - Set your listings in Link Up as Virtual Viewing Ready (If you're a NAVIS agent)
Go to our mobile app Link Up, and set your listing as Virtual Viewing Ready. This helps our team mates with ready buyers and tenants shortlist your VR ready listings easily and recommend clients to you.
And that's it! Welcome to the world of virtual viewings and close more!!
Next on, learn how to create simple videos for free!
Step 1 - Download this free app, QUIK, from Appstore or Playstore
Step 2 - Watch this clip to learn how to use QUIK easily to create real estate videos
**Special thanks to our NAVIS in-house social media manager, James, for the demo!
Use your current images of the property or get your clients to send some.
Step 3 - Make your own video cover and ending designs using Canva.com or get your free ones if you're NAVIS
Examples:
And that's it! Simple, easy and relatively pain-free ways to adapt to the new norms!
We have prepared a video guide for you if you prefer to watch or just scroll beyond to follow the step by step instructions.
Step 1: Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader from App Store or Google Playstore
Step 2: Locate your document and import it into Acrobat!
Step 3: Fill up your document in Acrobat
Step 4: Create your e-signature
Step 5: E-Sign your document
Step 6: Share your document with your client
I hope you found this guide useful and you may wish to download the complete PDF guides here for reference and to send to your real estate industry friends who need to learn this too!
Stuart Chng, Executive Group District Director at Huttons, is a renowned leader and personality in the real estate industry.
He adores music and can play a few instruments decently without upsetting his neighbours. When not doing so, he enjoys pillow fighting with his son and coming up with silly puns which barely amuses his wife.
Professionally, he is a licensed real estate agent, investor, team leader, speaker and columnist for several property newsletters and blogs and is often quoted in media interviews on 938FM, Channel 8, PropertyReport, PropertyGuru and other publications. Throughout his career, he has helped many clients grow their wealth through selecting great property investments and managing their portfolios actively. Read his clients' reviews here.
Stuart has also coached many top million dollar producing agents from different real estate agencies in Singapore. Read his agents' reviews here.
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