Coronavirus: Technology letting buyers inspect from lounge room
Househunters are embracing technology to inspect properties from the comfort of home, with online platforms also giving vendors peace of mind and maximising social distancing precautions.
With open for inspections banned during the coronavirus shutdown, tech-savvy homeowners are turning to online platforms to showcase their homes while adhering to social distancing.
This is allowing prospective buyers and renters to inspect properties from the comfort of their living rooms, and ensuring minimal impact on those hunkering down in residences that are on the market.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison temporarily outlawed open homes, along with on-site auctions, last week.
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Private inspections of properties for sale and rent, as well as final inspections before settlement on a sale, can still be carried out by booking an appointment with the real estate agent.
But the state government’s recent decision to enforce stage three restrictions means only two people are allowed inside a property at a time, and agents are required to comply with strict social distancing and hygiene standards during physical inspections.
Joel Smith, co-founder of auction steaming and bidding website Gavl, said digital inspections provided a means to minimise contact, which was in the best interest of those listing homes for sale and rent and those searching for new homes.
“From a vendor’s perspective, no one really wants anyone coming through their home at the moment,” he said.
“With how the current climate is, pretty much overnight people are transitioning to a new normal, which is the digital way of communication.”
Gavl conducted its first live-streamed house inspection on April 2, with Mr Smith, also a former Hawthorn footballer, testing out the new service on his Camberwell home.
About 20 people watched as Jellis Craig Boroondara agent Mike Beardsley broadcast a walk-through at the property.
From next week, Gavl will also include a chat function so parties can ask the agent questions about properties they’re digitally inspecting.
Mr Beardsley said the technology would also allow prospective buyers and renters to fast-track their house hunts.
“They might have 10 properties they’re considering viewing — a live-stream inspection first via Gavl may help solidify their interest in the property,” he said.
Owners listing properties for sale and rent with realestate.com.au can also now add virtual tours for free
From March 20-30, about 4200 Victorians added video walk-throughs of their homes to ‘for sale’ listings on realestate.com.au, with more than 12 per cent of sales listings now hosting videos.
Almost 11 per cent of rental homes, equating to about 2800, are also offering video tours.
Industry Insider director Andrew Date said there was still ambiguity among market participants as to whether property inspections were considered an essential service to leave the house for.
Although physical private inspections are still permitted, Mr Date’s property management business is using digital inspections to put clients’ minds at ease.
Mr Date is providing “video walk-throughs” to prospective tenants to ensure they only have to physically inspect properties they’re seriously interested in.
“I’m telling them to apply online first, then I’ll send you the video and if you like what you see, we’ll arrange a private viewing,” he said.
Mr Date said he’d also used WhatsApp to carry out a pre-rental inspection for a client, with the existing tenant broadcasting the tour for Mr Date, his client and the real estate agent, who were all at home.
Ranges First National Director Mick Dolphin said there had been a higher uptake of sellers wanting to include 3D tours on listings on realestate.com.au as well.
Mr Dolphin also said he was offering to FaceTime with buyers and walk through the property.
– with Samantha Landy
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Originally published as Coronavirus: Technology letting buyers inspect from lounge room