Virtual Home Showings During COVID-19

Virtual Home Showings During COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak is creating significant challenges for individuals and families looking to buy or sell a home this spring. There are homes on the market but with good reason, extreme caution is being taken by buyers and sellers to limit potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. This caution has created two questions for real estate professionals, buyers and sellers. How do sellers provide access to homes without subjecting themselves to the virus? How do buyers see homes with limited access or while they are self-quarantining or practicing social distancing?

There are several technologies available that allow buyers access to homes virtually beyond photos and property descriptions available on websites like Zillow.

Matterport Virtual Reality

One of the best tools available to buyers and sellers when it comes to a virtual showing is the use of a Matterport virtual reality tour. Below is the Matterport tour for a home I am currently listing in the Anthem Highlands neighborhood in Broomfield.

As you can see the Matterport tour allows you to view the home as if you are actually there. This is why I rank it as my number one option for seeing a home virtually.

HDR Video Tours

Another great tool for seeing a home virtually is by viewing a homes HDR video tour. Below is the video tour for the same Anthem Highlands home shown in the Matterport tour above.

As you can see, the HDR video tour provides more access to the home than traditional photos or photo tours provide but are more limited than a Matterport tour.

Facetime or Video Chat

If a home doesn’t have a Matterport or HDR video tour available, another option is to have either the homeowner or real estate agent record a home walkthrough or provide a live tour through FaceTime or other video chat program. These videos can be posted to social media to create a “virtual open house” protecting the buyer, seller and real estate agent from exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Final Thoughts

This is an unprecedented time for many industries and real estate is no different. In order to keep the real estate industry moving forward and serving our clients in the best way possible it is critical to be creative and use the technology we have available.

Interested in the listing shown throughout this post? The Matterport tour, HDR video tour and more information can be found on the homes property website at www.3266discoverycourt.com.