The Weekend Post - Real Estate
CHANGING THE WAY WE DEAL IN PROPERTY
Finding innovative ways to buy and sell real estate under lockdown restrictions has ensured the industry remains strong under pressure
THE coronavirus pandemic has changed life for everyone. Real estate agents, as well as property buyers and sellers, have not been immune to the changes.
In fact, the industry was singled out in an address to the nation by Prime Minister Scott Morrison when he banned open homes.
So, just what do the changes mean and how has the real estate business had to change?
AUCTIONS, CONVEYANCING, HOUSE INSPECTIONS
Everything has gone online.
There are virtual consultations, video walkthroughs and inspections, and digital contracts, offers and negotiations.
Auctions can still go ahead online or over the phone and inspections can be done via appointment, but making sure all parties observe the strict social distancing guidelines.
RE/MAX principal Ray Murphy said properties up for sale via auction were listed on online property websites as well as auction app Gavel.
He said the new restrictions meant fewer sticky beaks and more serious buyers.
The office is also recording the biggest number of cash contracts ever.
For Michelle Champion, who started Champions in Real Estate digitally almost two years ago, the new restrictions were not too invasive.
“The whole team, including our property manager, are contactable outside of normal hours and on weekends to make things easier for clients and tenants,” she said.
“We will continue to keep our clients updated through FaceTime, social media, phone calls, email and video.
“We have room-by-room video tours of all of our properties for sale. We also have 3D virtual tours for a lot of our homes on the market, so our buyers can have detailed viewings of our homes in the comfort of their own homes.
“Because open homes have been banned, we will still be doing private inspections but will be very careful with these.
“Buyers will be qualified before arranging an inspection in an effort to be as careful as possible.”
BUILDING AND PEST INSPECTIONS
All Building Inspections owner Amanda Allen said her staff were taking “every possible precaution” while still undertaking work.
“It’s one of those tricky things; everything changes day by day,” she said.
“A lot of the time, no one is there anyway (during building inspections) – the property is vacant – but making sure we are following social distancing rules is the biggest thing. The inspector doesn’t get close to anyone and they try and not touch any surfaces.
“It’s not usual the inspector would have to touch anything, it’s usually a visual inspection but there is lots of hand washing (and) carrying hand sanitiser.
“We’re trying to keep it at the top of our minds all the time. All these new habits we are trying to form have to become like driving and you don’t have to think about it.”
Ms Allen said now was the time to book a vendor report, a building and pest inspection paid for by the vendor to avoid any surprises when a prospective buyer does their own onceover of a home.
“Most buyers will go out and get their own
building and pest inspection and some of the findings might come as a surprise to vendor,” Ms Allen said.
“If they get one, that’ll give them a heads-up and a chance to work on any problems before a buyer comes along.”
CONSTRUCTION
A national advertising campaign has been launched to promote social distancing and strict hygiene on the nation’s building sites.
Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn said the campaign would run for the next four weeks and targeted everyone working in the building and construction sector.
“Business owners, employers, construction workers, subcontractors, site managers – everyone must be accountable for social distancing and strict hygiene, not only on building sites but also offsite when on breaks and before and after shifts,” she said.
“As an essential industry, it’s vital to the community and the economy that in this extraordinarily difficult time, we can continue building and construction work to provide the livelihoods of one in 10 Australians and to support the viability of nearly 400,000 small businesses.
“However, we do recognise the substantial cultural change that we are asking everyone in our industry to make.
“Everyone including workers, subcontractors and management are used to completing building projects as efficiently as possible.
“Social distancing is slowing work down, but slower work is better than no work and that is why we are asking everyone in our industry to step up and be accountable for doing the right thing to keep each other and the community safe.”