Even before the pandemic, real estate professionals used the power of technology to conveniently communicate with clients, combined with traditional means of touring the property and signing the papers. But with COVID-19 keeping everyone at home, the sudden shift to digitizing brick-and-mortar means and contactless transactions has changed how real estate agents and brokers approach selling properties.

As the new normal continues to dominate people’s daily lives and various industries, technology has offered various tools and methods integral to the growth of the Philippine real estate industry. Here are some of them:

The Convenience of Mobile Technology

Brokers have been using mobile technology years before COVID-19 hit the world. Now, the convenience of using a smartphone for communication, virtual meetings and tours, and signing documents to complete transactions allowed brokers to keep in touch with their clients and promote various properties. Smartphones nowadays are developed to enable brokers to work anytime and anywhere.

The Accessibility of Virtual Tours

Besides smartphones offering brokers the efficiency and mobility to work, the Internet has allowed clients to tour properties virtually. Many brokers learned to use basic photography and videography to provide better-quality content for seekers in checking the features of the house or condo unit. Some even learned to use drones to take aerial and 360-degree shots of the property. Sites such as Lamudi present photos of their listings’ different rooms, like some studio units for sale, to attract seekers into exploring the right property for them.

The Popularity of Social Media Platforms

Different social media platforms are excellent channels for businesses to expand their online presence and reach their market. Since almost everyone uses social media to read news and interact with others, online platforms have also made it more convenient for developers and brokers to advertise their projects to potential buyers.

The Variety in Online Marketplaces

Like social media platforms, online marketplaces are sites where brokers can advertise their listings and gain interested buyers. Online marketplaces are more convenient and comfortable to use as property seekers don’t have to wade through thousands of posts to find the listings. Real estate platforms are where serious property seekers look for the property they want to buy. They also allow buyers to easily browse through different housing or condominiums units and staycation spots without relying on chance.

The Safety of Contactless Payments

The pandemic has slowly changed the way banks accept down payments and mortgage loans. While it may seem risky for many to depend on electronic wallets and digital payment solutions, the contactless feature is efficient and sanitized. It enables buyers to complete payments without having to meet their partner brokers and bankers face to face.

The Ease of Using Stakeholders Portals

Many residential projects have implemented stricter sanitation standards and disinfection stations in every entrance and exit. Others utilize various stakeholders’ portals to ensure business continuity during the pandemic.

The sellers’ portal allows sellers to give agents access to crucial information about their projects. On the other hand, the buyers’ portal enables clients to keep track of their investments and billing statements. Lastly, the homeowners’ portal allows residents to check their accounts and even order laundry and water services.

The pandemic may have crippled the Philippine real estate industry. But the challenges allowed developers and real estate professionals to bounce back with new methods anchored on efficiency and sanitation. With these six helpful tools, the real estate industry will continue to rise from the ashes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Philippine Real Estate Professionals Shifting to Digital Means

Meta-Description: While the pandemic changed the way the real estate industry works, these six digital tools arose to enable real estate professionals to continue working.

Even before the pandemic, real estate professionals used the power of technology to conveniently communicate with clients, combined with traditional means of touring the property and signing the papers. But with COVID-19 keeping everyone at home, the sudden shift to digitizing brick-and-mortar means and contactless transactions has changed how real estate agents and brokers approach selling properties.

As the new normal continues to dominate people’s daily lives and various industries, technology has offered various tools and methods integral to the growth of the Philippine real estate industry. Here are some of them:

The Convenience of Mobile Technology

Brokers have been using mobile technology years before COVID-19 hit the world. Now, the convenience of using a smartphone for communication, virtual meetings and tours, and signing documents to complete transactions allowed brokers to keep in touch with their clients and promote various properties. Smartphones nowadays are developed to enable brokers to work anytime and anywhere.

The Accessibility of Virtual Tours

Besides smartphones offering brokers the efficiency and mobility to work, the Internet has allowed clients to tour properties virtually. Many brokers learned to use basic photography and videography to provide better-quality content for seekers in checking the features of the house or condo unit. Some even learned to use drones to take aerial and 360-degree shots of the property. Sites such as Lamudi present photos of their listings’ different rooms, like some studio units for sale, to attract seekers into exploring the right property for them.

The Popularity of Social Media Platforms

Different social media platforms are excellent channels for businesses to expand their online presence and reach their market. Since almost everyone uses social media to read news and interact with others, online platforms have also made it more convenient for developers and brokers to advertise their projects to potential buyers.

The Variety in Online Marketplaces

Like social media platforms, online marketplaces are sites where brokers can advertise their listings and gain interested buyers. Online marketplaces are more convenient and comfortable to use as property seekers don’t have to wade through thousands of posts to find the listings. Real estate platforms are where serious property seekers look for the property they want to buy. They also allow buyers to easily browse through different housing or condominiums units and staycation spots without relying on chance.

The Safety of Contactless Payments

The pandemic has slowly changed the way banks accept down payments and mortgage loans. While it may seem risky for many to depend on electronic wallets and digital payment solutions, the contactless feature is efficient and sanitized. It enables buyers to complete payments without having to meet their partner brokers and bankers face to face.

The Ease of Using Stakeholders Portals

Many residential projects have implemented stricter sanitation standards and disinfection stations in every entrance and exit. Others utilize various stakeholders’ portals to ensure business continuity during the pandemic.

The sellers’ portal allows sellers to give agents access to crucial information about their projects. On the other hand, the buyers’ portal enables clients to keep track of their investments and billing statements. Lastly, the homeowners’ portal allows residents to check their accounts and even order laundry and water services.

The pandemic may have crippled the Philippine real estate industry. But the challenges allowed developers and real estate professionals to bounce back with new methods anchored on efficiency and sanitation. With these six helpful tools, the real estate industry will continue to rise from the ashes of the COVID-19 pandemic.