As the world faces this unprecedented situation, society as a whole is forced to make adjustments. Instead of wondering what we were going to do or wait for COVID-19 to pass, we took action right away. Researching, not only new ways to run our business but the best possible ways.
Our value in providing exceptional service is not taken lightly. We owe it to our clients to find, adapt, and implement the best technology out there. We have added incredible and effective technology. But that’s only one part; we are constantly adapting and improving how we use this technology.
Here are the innovations and initiatives that we have taken to ensure that we get your house sold without compromising health, safety, and quality.
LIVE VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
A real-time (live) interactive walk-through the house, presenting the best features of the property to potential buyers and agents. This allows buyers the unique opportunity to determine if this is the right house for them prior to making a physical appointment.
Advantages of our Live Virtual Open Houses
We have found a team-lead system that works best! Heather Woodruff is behind the camera. Heather Murphy is on camera, giving the tour and pointing out special features. Christine Brault is at her home office virtually sending relevant links to the buyers, through the chatbox.
- Minimizes the people going to the house as a safety precaution.
- It can zoom in to specific features the buyer is interested in.
- Be able to give them an overview of the entire property including the floor plan, neighborhood, and community.
- Buyers get their questions answered immediately while on the tour, either by speaking out or asking through private chat.
- Buyers’ can have their agents join with them without leaving their home
- Time-efficient for potential buyers.
- It offers a wider scope of target buyers, reaching people all over the world.
- It creates the same level of engagement as the traditional open houses.
BENEFITS OF OUR NEW VIRTUAL MARKETING MATERIALS
E-BROCHURES/FLIPBOOKS
Our printed brochures provide potential buyers with a compilation of information about the property such as the detailed list of features of the house, photos, a map showing the property’s accessibility, floor plan, updates, and general property information. With e-brochures and flipbook technology, we brochures can be sent in emails keeping the same brochure-like feel that one expects at an open house or at a showing.
PROPERTY E-PUB BOOKS
ePubs are different from the above-mentioned flipbook brochure and they focus on more detailed specifics about the property (i.e. plot plans, property cards, etc.) and giving potential buyers a taste of the town and the town’s resources, conservation land and trails. School information and links to rankings, location, and so on. All links are live and allow the buyer to get directly to the resource they are interested in. A true virtual experience!
QR CODE FLYER THAT LINKS TO ALL VIRTUAL MATERIALS
Ever mindful of the number of surfaces that are touched in a home and to our goal of keeping everyone safe, we decided to save paper printing and provide QR codes to our virtual brochures and to our property books. We display a flyer in a frame for parties to scan with their phone’s camera. All virtual materials are also designed to be responsive and available for zooming.
WEBSITES – NEWLY LAUNCHED
We have created two new websites to assist and complement our virtual showings as a response to COVID-19.
HEATHERMURPHYHOMES.com
Our virtual website designed for buyers interested in one of our listings with links to all our virtual materials, floor plans, as well as a glimpse at our recent blogs and sales.
REVIRTUALHOMES.com
A completely unbranded website that was created solely to meet the requirements for MLS. Interested buyers click on the live link to access our open house. From there, we direct them to our branded virtual site.
LIFESTYLE VIDEOS
A unique and clever way of marketing your property through a quick tour exhibiting the neighborhood and communities that surround it. The opportunities here are endless; either to send in an email to prospective buyers, to display on social media channels, and to post on our websites.
VIRTUAL STAGING CONSULTS (FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS IF NEEDED)
As we prepare your house to be on the market, we make sure that your property would be enticing to buyers if you are a seller, and for buyers, get interior design inputs from a professional without leaving your house as these consults are conducted through video chats only.
INTERACTIVE 3D FLOOR PLANS
Buyers are able to take a room and play around with their furniture to see how well it will fit in the house.
SOCIAL MEDIA – BE SURE TO FOLLOW US!
As we continue to post about our listings, open houses, supporting our local community and business as well as our professional knowledge of the real estate market, we now are purposefully researching updates on our local businesses and COVID 19 information and how the crisis affects the current market. All of our live virtual open houses are now broadcasted as events and each listing is marketed with ads and campaigns for a wider reach. These channels include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
E-SIGNING TO INCLUDE NOTARY SIGNATURES & POWER OF ATTORNEY
The COVID-19 pandemic has unexpectedly required attorneys to attempt to operate in a remote work environment. This abrupt change has heightened the importance of relying on electronic signatures and notarization, in lieu of traditional “wet ink.” This hassle-free approach will save you more time as you can sign all the documents anytime, anywhere (even via text to your phone) – all except for the closing document.
AGENT-LED VIDEO CHAT WITH PROFESSIONALS
Interested in possible renovations or design features? Join our video chats to speak directly with professionals such as architects, stager/designer, landscape designers, etc… We are proactively offering video chat for effective consults and a thorough discussion of matters that concern the clients.
VIDEO CHAT OPTION FOR HOME INSPECTION
If desired, you can sit in the comfort of your own home and be updated from the inspector.
RESOURCES
Knowing the professionals who are working through COVID-19, our vetted professionals are at your service. Whether that is an inspector, movers, plumber, or electrician or local businesses.