Best 'Social Distance' practices for Real Estate Agents

Practicing Social Distance as a Real Estate Agent 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC recommends staying at least six feet from other people. The reason is, the virus can travel that far if someone is infected and coughs or sneezes.

The term “social distance” has come out of this recommendation, and as a real estate agent, it makes you think… will our industry ever be the same? At its core, it will remain the same. This is a relationship business. If you aren’t speaking to new potential prospects and following up with them each day, your business will suffer. 

Now, I'm not naive. Things will undoubtedly change in this time period and beyond. How we establish new relationships and nurture existing ones during this time will test our adaptability.

Technology to Help You Remain Effective and Efficient

During the Coronavirus, you should try to interact with clients face-to-face as little as possible. The limitation can be a blessing in disguise. We can all agree there is money to be made and time to be saved when we increase productivity and establish effective systems.

Here are some platforms for video calls/conferences that we can use with clients and vendors.

• - Zoom
  - Google Hangouts
• - UberConference
• - Facetime (for iPhone users)
• - Google Duo (Android users)

You can request signatures on documents electronically with a tools such as PandaDoc, SignRequest, DocuSign and then call or video conference the person to go through it.

For vendors who may need to see properties, consider using your video conferencing app to show them what they need to see for estimation purposes. At listing appointment, offer to record a virtual tour so that you can expose prospective buyers to the property without having to step in. This way you don’t lose time waiting for the pandemic to end.

Safety Precautions When Face-to-Face with Clients and Vendors

Sellers still want to sell and buyers still want to buy. In most cases, someone needs to see the property. Here are some considerations for property viewings, home inspections, and appraisals to help keep everyone safe.

The Novel Coronavirus can remain active on shoes for up to five days. If you step on something that has the virus on it, it can transfer to your shoe, and then you can bring it into someone’s home. The best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to wear surgical booties. They conveniently fit inside of your purse, pocket, or briefcase. When you need a pair, simply take each bootie out, place it on each foot and you’re safe to enter your client’s home.

Wear masks when you're sick, but even when you don’t feel sick, you should wear one. This is even if you plan to stay six feet from others. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and the CDC has reported that many people with the virus do not have any symptoms at first. Wearing a mask keeps you from inadvertently spreading it to others.

Wear gloves. The virus can live on surfaces, and when you touch a surface then an orifice on your face (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.), you may contact the Corona Virus.

If you must sneeze or cough (unfortunately, it’s spring allergies season), always use the inside of your elbow. This area is least likely to touch another individual, which decreases the chance of passing along the virus if you by chance have it.

Keep talking to people

You can still call! Some of the most common objections we get over the phone are: “I’m busy”; “I’m at work”; “I’m not home right now”… With so many Americans out of work or working from home, your contacts-per-day should increase. That being said, you shouldn’t be calling for ‘A sale’… you should be calling to just LISTEN! Listen what people want to tell you about how they’re doing, what they’re looking forward to when this is all over… listening will help you build a relationship. Nurture the relationship and help them when the time comes.

Some states, like New York, have banned cold calling. This does not apply to FSBO, past seller leads and old buyer leads. Last but not least… call family, friends, co-workers, and past clients!

TV and the news can only occupy people for so long. The next go-to? Their phones and computers! Set a daily goal for Facebook messenger and Instagram direct messages you want to send out.

Stay Safe and Healthy for Better Business

Use the above suggestions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clients and vendors will appreciate how diligent you’re being about keeping them safe.