In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, REALTORS® who were not already embracing technology were forced to play catch-up to their competition. From video conferencing, multi-media tours, transaction management and e-signature platforms, technology has become engrained in the business of real estate.
The transformation of your business practice is not really an option anymore. The tech curve has been accelerated for everyone, but this didn’t sneak up on us—and it’s not 100% directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This transition has been happening for many years—the pandemic simply amplified it.
The bottom line, paying attention to consumer trends driving technology advancement means winning in your business, global pandemic or not.
But don’t worry, it’s not too late to get in the game! Here are seven tips for REALTORS® to help grow your business during COVID-19 and beyond.
1. Google your name
There’s a good chance your REALTOR.ca profile is at or near the top of a Google search.
It’s critical your REALTOR.ca member profile is up to date and includes rich content. REALTOR.ca member profiles are viewed on average 1,000 times an hour. Don’t let an incomplete profile stand between you and a potential lead. Your REALTOR.ca member profile information has literally become your digital business card. The more information the consumer finds, the more likely there is to be a conversion—either a lead, a referral or a personal connection.
Tip: Your REALTOR.ca profile includes information you provide to your board or association’s MLS® System. You can enhance your profile by including your email address, a high-resolution current headshot, your social media profiles, as well as the languages you speak and designations you have. Some boards and associations also include ratings and testimonials on profiles. Note: Profile information displayed on REALTOR.ca varies by board or association.
2. Use video and or virtual tours
Home buyers love to engage with listings featuring immersive virtual walk-throughs and/or videos. Looking for the right home is no longer confined to weekday evenings, or open houses on weekend afternoons.
There are currently ten virtual tours providers that integrate with REALTOR.ca.
3. Promote your live streams
Despite the return of traditional open houses in many markets, virtual showings and live stream walk-throughs are still preferred as we all do our part of slow the spread of COVID-19.
Add your live stream open house link to REALTOR.ca through your MLS® System portal. All live stream platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, are supported.
Remember, and this is important, give the consumer what they expect. When you say you’re live, be live, don’t add VR tours or pre-recorded material to a live stream open house link. Learn more about the difference between live and virtual by reading this blog.
4. Download the REALTOR.ca Listing Stats app
Available exclusively to members of the Canadian Real Estate Association, the REALTOR.ca Listing Stats app gives you access to your listing statistics, leads and activity on your listings—anywhere, anytime.
Set up notifications, so you know when a lead comes in on your listing or when your listing is live on REALTOR.ca. You can also send reports to clients with just a few taps
More features are coming soon, including broker specific tools, so make sure you check back for updates.
Download it today.
5. Revisit REALTOR.ca DDF®
Expand the reach of your listings, save time and build your brand using REALTOR.ca DDF®. Visit member.REALTOR.ca and have a look at your DDF® settings.
Brokers can control where their brokerage listings go from REALTOR.ca DDF®, including Real Estate Advertising Websites and Partner Sites like The Globe and Mail, Scotiabank and TD Bank.
Leads from the Partner Sites go directly to the listing agent, just as if the listing was viewed on REALTOR.ca.
Powered by REALTOR.ca branding from REALTOR.ca DDF® gives the consumer confidence they are looking at trusted and credible housing data.
6. Take a deep dive into CREA WEBForms®
Do you miss the “old” CREA WEBForms®? The functions of the legacy version of CREA WEBForms® are in the forms button on the left navigation bar.
CREA WEBForms® integrates with five e-signature and transaction management solutions.
A myriad of training is available on the CREA Learning Hub. Read online help guides, watch tutorial videos or attend a webinar to become a WEBForms® pro!
As always, you can contact support at support@crea.ca or 1-888-237-7945.
7. Intel is everywhere
Keep learning!
A number of your favourite conferences have gone virtual, like Inman for example.
You can also listen to real estate podcasts like CREA’s REAL TIME, available on CREA.ca or wherever you usually listen to podcasts. You can also find our magazine by the same name online or at your brokerage office.
Gain valuable consumer insights using the REALTOR.ca Insights Report or Local Insights.
Did we miss a tip that’s helped you grow your business? Tell us about it in the Comments below.
To stay in the know, visit our resource page What REALTORS Should Know About COVID-19 and share our consumer COVID-19 hub with your clients. Stay tuned for information on other markets, or visit your local board or association’s website.
