Wow, what a year it’s been … pandemics, social change, disputed elections, it just seemed to go on and on. This past year most certainly brought forth a lot of angst, but the one thing we can be grateful for right now is a hot real estate market.
No doubt, 2020 has been a learning experience for us all. It’s been an opportunity to get better at what we do, to change the way we interact while making the necessary alterations to how we run our businesses. The need to stay safe has forced us to reinvent the real estate process. That’s where virtual real estate transactions have come into play.
Virtual transactions have been a key factor in keeping our clients and agents safe during a pandemic while also allowing us to provide the level of exceptional service we need to deliver to maintain our position as a leading brokerage in the valley. It’s interesting to note that according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), throughout the coronavirus pandemic, one in every 20 homebuyers purchased a house sight-unseen.
How are agents successful with virtual transactions?
Tru Realty agents are resourceful. As a brokerage, we work to stay ahead of the latest industry trends that provide the best tools to drive our business forward. Here are a couple of ways our real estate agents have been successful with virtual transactions this past year.
360-Degree Virtual Tours
Our brokerage offers user-friendly virtual tours of our listings. This interactive technology solution allows consumers to get the experience of touring a home in person safely. Although premium photography is always key for your listings, right now video is more helpful to consumers. It makes clients feel more comfortable making an offer before they can step foot inside the home.
It’s also the first step in helping clients narrow down their search criteria before our agents conduct a walk-through of the home over a live video chat platform.
Video Conferencing and Chat
If it’s a platform that allows us to communicate better with clients, we’re all over it! Zoom, FaceTime, Google Chat, WhatsApp, and others are platforms that our agents use for virtual walk-throughs, listing presentations, buyer consultations, and more.
With an estimated 300 people moving to Arizona daily, these platforms are an effective way to meet consumers where they are while bringing our real estate expertise and personality to the forefront the same way you would during an in-person meeting.
Sales Education
The consumer wants to work with people they like, know, and trust. Helping agents create better relationships through screens has been another crucial adaptation in 2020. Tru Realty has always offered sales coaching and mentorship to our agents. Now we’ve added ways to better your relationship using technology!
Proficiency in MLS and other presentation technologies, as well as on-going training for seasoned agents, is something we know builds confidence. Realtors that can leverage technology to improve their level of client service will be successful, now more than ever.
Innovative Technology Tools (PropTech)
Have we mentioned how much we love forward-thinking technologies? Of course, but we do want to emphasize that technology should be enhancing the relationship with the client not replacing it. The use of advanced CRM/CMS systems and integrated applications are a seamless way to do that.
Using automation properly can help you to be successful and safe. That being said, we encourage our agents to be authentic. This requires the proper tools, training, and support from your brokerage.
Take your career in real estate to the next level!
Adapting to the current needs in the market is what makes Tru Realty one of the fastest-growing brokerages in Arizona. If you’re feeling behind the curve and you’re interested in learning more about a career with Tru Realty, contact me at sarah@trurealty.com.
About the Author
Sarah C. Richardson is one of the preeminent leaders of residential real estate in Arizona. As the CEO and founder of Tru Realty, she is responsible for both the daily operations and oversight of the multiple growth strategies that the brokerage carries out. Sarah launched Tru Realty in 2010 as a way to serve a marketplace that was seeing a shift from auction centric fix/flips to an MLS flow. She is now rethinking the way her brokerage uses technology to better serve clients and agents alike.
