As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep across the world, a number of real estate agents in Kamloops are changing the way they do business.
Cassidy Morgan with REMAX Kamloops, for example, is turning his sellers’ listings into virtual tours.
“We’re basically just recording all of our listings in video, trying to give people a sense of the flow of the home… so at least they get a good preview from the comfort of their own homes,” he tells KamloopsMatters.
The virtual tours act as a screening process, he adds.
“We want to, as much as possible, screen people before they get into a home. If we can basically rule one way or another if someone’s going to have an interest before they actually see it in person, that’s going to keep everyone safe, and still allow our industry to continue moving.”
If someone is interested in checking out a property, Morgan says that’s when he and his team will set up a viewing.
“Before we actually take any of our clients out, we are asking them, ‘Are you sick? Are you exhibiting any symptoms?’ If they are, then we are asking them to divert things until they’re feeling better.”
If there is a viewing, Morgan says he ensures all the social distancing guidelines are followed. He also carries hand sanitizer with him.
“I have been spraying it on people’s hands before they go in and out of homes. I’ve had some clients actually wearing gloves in homes,” he says. “When we are in homes, we’re mindful that people are keeping their distance, at least a metre apart, preferably two, that kind of thing.”
Asked how business is going, amid a pandemic, Morgan says deals are still closing.
“We’re still seeing people wanting to look at houses. We’re still seeing people writing offers. We’re absolutely still seeing people wanting to list their homes.”
In an email to KamloopsMatters, Wendy Runge, president of the Kamloops and District Real Estate Association (KADREA), says Realtor members are being encouraged to adjust their business practices to accommodate the recommendations made by public health officials.
“Realtors are pro-active, community-minded people and want what is best for the community at large. They are challenged with balancing this with the pressure they feel from their clients and the need to continue to support their families,” she writes. “That said, we have seen a drop in advertised open houses in the past few days and expect this trend to continue as the situation continues to unfold.”
Runge adds KADREA will continue to support members with “good information and resources that provide best practices moving forward.”
