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Realtors affected by virus ‘going virtual’ to sell homes

Real estate business listed as essential service, but professional agencies call for stop to face to face interactions, must seek alternatives
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Many items, including big items, may be purchased online, but realtors trying to convince a prospective buyer to buy a home with a virtual showing could be a tough sell.

But that’s what many (if not all) Sault realtors are doing due to the social distancing demands COVID-19 has put upon society.

“It’s challenging. It’s very challenging,” said Anne Thomas, Sault Ste. Marie Real Estate Board (SSMREB) president, speaking to SooToday.

“We’re trying to do everything we can virtually, and that encompasses a lot of things like virtual tours (which include videos and photos of homes) without face to face contact,” Thomas said.

A statement released March 26 by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and the SSMREB reads “The Sault Ste. Marie Real Estate Board and Ontario Real Estate Association are calling on Realtors to stop all face-to-face business, including open houses, agent and public office hours, and in-person showings during the Province’s COVID-19 State of Emergency. In these unique situations, where a property listed for sale is occupied by tenants, the health and safety of those tenants, the Realtors and their clients is of utmost priority.”

Yet, the real estate business has been listed as an essential service during the current COVID-19 crisis, forcing realtors to find alternatives in their business.

“It’s an urging (as opposed to a direct order)...it was put out for realtors, and the general public, to understand it’s not business as usual,” Thomas said.

Cautious urging from the OREA notwithstanding, realtors in bigger cities like Toronto are still holding open houses.

Asked if she knew of any Sault realtors who may indeed still be conducting the usual sort of face to face house showings, Thomas said “it’s a learning curve...I don’t any who are doing business as it was. They are trying to encompass social distancing as much as they can. I would say no realtors, as far as I know, are doing business as it was.”

“We’re all trying to navigate a new world here, in trying to keep everyone safe and yet at the same time not to close down business. Every realtor is really trying to conduct business as safely as possible.”

“If the realtors have to meet face to face to show a home for whatever circumstance that might be, they’re certainly taking precautions, such as keeping a six feet distance and wiping down surfaces,” Thomas said.

Thomas said the OREA has asked Ontario Land Registry offices to remain open over the next few weeks to ensure thousands of Ontarians who have recently bought or sold homes are able to close those transactions.

“Not everyone requires the help of a realtor but there are situations where it’s necessary right now. There are extenuating circumstances where people have to buy or sell a home right now. It’s urgent. We don't want anyone to be homeless,” Thomas said.