Social distancing has had an impact on a buyers property journey due to the restrictions of travel and the traditional open home format. As they typically drive from one Open for Inspection to another, surely there is a better way. With the ongoing demand of buyers in the market maintaining and in some markets increasing, agents adapted to provide a more immersive experience by introducing 3D walkthroughs and professional property videos to their marketing strategies.
With realestate.com.au reporting a 357 per cent increase in 3D walkthrough engagement and 105 per cent jump in property video views, it’s clear that the agents who were quick to pivot would have captured more views and received more buyer enquiry than those properties without these digital viewing technologies.
Video inspection technology is on the rise and has provided agents with the opportunity to engage buyers and prospective vendors virtually with the use of common yet powerful applications. Interestingly, there has been less engagement with the advanced property inspection products that have emerged in the market with more agents opting to leveraging FaceTime, Google Meet and Skype. Interestingly, all platforms that had personal or consumer adoption and comfort levels in place. It’s clear that virtual inspections are not the saviour however we see a place for these processes to offer a VIP experience - a way for buyers to view the property quickly and with little effort, while agents are able to qualify their interest (for the property owners) before attending a physical inspection.
Are the days of 40 groups through on a Saturday a thing of the past? With buyers in surplus and social distancing a new norm, do we have a responsibility to provide a safe (virtual) way for vendors to open their homes for buyers to inspect?
Jason Alford
National Technology Manager
Ray White Group
