While many of us are staying at home and practicing social distancing, there is a new daily normal in terms of conducting business. MLS’s around the country are all faced with these new realities. These are challenging times and here are a few things collected from across the country that may help you to manage your client’s needs remotely.
- Utilize video calls through FaceTime or Skype to connect with clients.
- Where you previously may have wanted to talk in person, you may be considering a phone call. See if your clients are interested in doing a video call. Not only is it more personal, it gives you a better opportunity to read the room and gauge how comfortable your clients are with your suggestions and advice.
- Make sure your listing accurately reflects showing availability.
- If your clients have requested that showings cease on their property, discuss your available options with them. They may be open to virtual showings conducted by you or a member of your office. Whatever their decision, make sure their wishes are accurately reflected in the listing through a status update or, if they are open to showings under certain conditions, in the agent and showing remarks.
- Consider an online signature tool.
- Traveling for signatures may not be advisable at this time, so take advantage of an online signature tool. These tools make it easy for you and your clients to manage listing contracts and updates virtually.
- Set up Portal Activity Notifications to make sure you don’t miss any notes or activity.
- Your buyers may be more active in their Client Portals over the next few weeks. If you’re juggling children and/or spouses at home, it can be easy for a day or two to go by without checking in. Portal Activity Notifications send you a text or email when your client visits their portal, leaves a note, and more. View and update your preferences today.
- Provide concierge-level service, by sharing listings you previously may have waited on.
- Some people are going to move their listings to Temporarily Off-Market. These listings are not sent to consumer websites, so your clients will only have access to them through you. Consider sharing these listings with your clients. Showings are not permitted in this status, but you can ask the listing agent if the seller may be interested in updating the status to Active and doing a virtual showing for your clients.