What practices do agents miss out on due to COVID?

A: Since the outbreak of COVID19, the real estate profession lost most of its opportunities for personal interactions. This is what I miss the most.

We no longer are allowed to have inperson Sunday open houses or broker tours — these are now done virtually. The absence of the Sunday open houses eliminates the possibility for me to meet potential clients and to discuss the current real estate market with individuals who might “just be looking.”

I miss the personal interaction and collaboration with my colleagues that would always take place during our broker tours. Our office has many Zoom meetings and virtual training to exchange best practice between agents, but it does not replace the spontaneous conversations and information exchanges that happen between colleagues during the tour days.

The ease of showing property to clients has become more complicated with paperwork and coordinating prereserved appointments for showings. This can be very time consuming and frustrating for both client and agent. I look forward to the future when we can have the personal contact that was eliminated by the pandemic, and am hopeful our business will again return to normal.

Matt Heafey, the Grubb Co., 5105411754, heafey@ grubbco. com.

A: I miss my personal client interactions the most. Real estate is a team effort, and now half the team has to distance itself from the field.

Before, I always was present at the signing of escrow documents, an anxious moment with large sums of money being exchanged. Now, signing is done with a stranger, a notary.

Before, multiple visits with sellers to provide input on what they may elect to do to improve the marketability of their property. Now, we stay six feet apart and curtail visits.

Before, client tours often included grandparents, kids. Now, a maximum of three people, and one them has to be the agent.

Before, public open houses offers the opportunity to get input from a myriad visitors. Now, only select buyers accompanied by their agents provide feedback. The list goes on and on. Sigh.

Astrid Lacitis, Vanguard Properties, 4158600765,

astrid@ vanguardsf. com.

A: What I miss most is the human interaction. There was a rhythm to our world. Tuesday broker tours not only allowed me to see upcoming listings, but it also granted time with my colleagues. Catching up on each other’s lives, families, hearing about vacations, etc. In this new digital world, the process of buying a home has become quite robotic.

We show videos of potential homes. When we meet in person, our masks hide the most important feature of our face, our smiles. The transaction itself becomes systemized so we’re missing seeing the excitement of a first home or a bigger home as families expand. I, along with my colleagues, look forward to the day when we can reconnect once again.

Par Hanji, Compass, 4153075110,

par@ parhanji. com.