How will Estate Agents change after COVID-19?

What does the new world of Estate Agency look like post-COVID?

It seems a little strange to say but we always felt as we were COVID ready, even before the pandemic and the word ‘COVID’ had any meaning. We always emphasised being Digital, Remote-Working, Remote-Viewings and Online-Marketing. Estate Agencies, in general, have had to embrace modern technologies, some better than others, as the world around them changes with no definitive end-date in sight. Even when things do go back to a state of normal, how will that look? Will middle-aged to elderly people still go on high-streets at the same level of frequency if the virus still exists in a much more subtle way?

As a company, we completely ripped up the high-street model from the start (7 years ago). My first company was selling Off-Plan properties in Dubai, as they are not yet built it is a different sales process, all bout creating a story for the property, allowing people to visualise the properties, and your assistance will either inflame this process or hinder.

As we moved into ready property, our sales process was so good for Off-Plan properties we wanted to put this straight into the ready sector. We had one big advantage this time, the property was built. We were able to do real-life images, Walk-Throughs, Brochures, HD Videography based on the actual property, the visualisation process for the buyer was much easier to achieve.

Buyers moving forward, I feel, will want to visually justify going to view a property entirely on the media first. They will check out the property online and then from there depending on the level of visual provided, will arrange further action. Visual content is going to win and win big. They say old habits die hard, but nothing hits harder than a worldwide pandemic, the world on re-entry will change forever.

Included in our package which we believe will excel in the coming years:

  • 360 Matterport walk-through videos
  • HD professionally edited, directed, and distributed property videos and tours
  • Online Marketing, not relying upon anything the high-street has to offer. Walk-byes and walk-in inquiries are strictly a bonus.

Traditional brick-and-mortar agencies are going to have to adapt and change. The main issue for agencies has always been the out-sourcing costs of technology, but it is going to be a must in the market moving forward. High-quality Digital Marketing outsourced is expensive, Videography is expensive, Re-Targetting software is expensive. But all necessities to do the utmost for clients of Estate Agencies.

As a digital-first company, we conduct all our digital work in-house. It allows us to keep costs down and our fees reasonable for our industry-leading level of service.

Samuel Dawson

Managing Director
Samuel Dawson Property

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