Embracing Technology
Technology has always been a big part of our business model; we are set up and able to facilitate our services remotely. Our agents and brokers are following strict guidelines in order to protect everyone’s health as recommended by the various health agencies and governments.
Showings on listed properties and open houses.
Our virtual tours are available on all of our listings and can be viewed on MLS, Realtor.ca, our website and all of our social media platforms. We are utilizing FaceTime tours and Facebook Live for potential buyers to view our homes for the protection of our clients, staff and community. Appointments are still available on a situational basis.
Seller & Buyer Consultations to Offers.
Our team is utilizing innovation and technology to continue to provide the highest level of service you have come to expect from us. FaceTime and Zoom video conferencing offer the unique ability to facilitate our appointments and offer presentations while embracing social distancing. Your health and well-being are of most importance. Documents can be signed from the comfort of your own home using our electronic signature software. The strength of our team has been built on the knowledge and love of the communities we serve. We are all in this together and nothing is more important right now than the health and safety of our colleagues, clients and fellow citizens across Canada.
Here at The Trentadue Torres Group, we are proud to offer services that are beneficial in preparing your home for sale.
- Home staging, virtual staging and design consultation with our in-house stager
- Professional videography with complete voiceovers and photography
- Constant 24-hour advertising and promotions
- Handyman services and light renovations with in house contractor
- Packing supplies and moving company discounts
- Virtual open houses and Virtual meetings
- Window cleaning and/or home cleaning service
- Disposal services
The TTG has showing protocols put in place. This means that there will be little more preparation involved. While physical showings are allowed, we first promote the use of technology to preview the property. This may even include our agent previewing the property in person while using a platform to connect with you and having a walk-thru virtually. We can use platforms like Skype, FaceTime and Zoom. In the event that a physical showing is requested, agents and buyers will have to travel separately in their own vehicles and meet at the property. They will have to wear protective gloves and masks and use hand sanitizer, wipes or cleaning products to immediately sanitize anything they touch. We ask that all buyers have to wear masks to all showings. We are encouraging all agents and buyers to not touch anything or place anything on a surface.
We will recommend that the sellers of the home turn on all lights, open some windows to allow for fresh air, open all closets and as many drawers/cabinets to help avoid avoiding people touching surfaces. In some cases, sellers may not want any physical showings of the inside but may allow a virtual walk-through via a video call or tech pick of choice. The listing agent can show the property to the buyers and their agent, or allow the buyers’ agent to conduct a virtual tour if necessary.
For buyer clients, it is important to stay flexible when it comes to how showings are conducted. Apps like FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, Zoom or WhatsApp may be useful. Buyers should be prepared to have a few options on their phone to utilize and your Trentadue Torres Group agent can help guide you.
Traditional in-person open houses are not being conducted at this time. We are now hosting virtual open houses. The TTG uses the same type of platforms as previously stated as well as real-life, walkthrough videos with voiceovers and full property descriptions. After previewing the property through means including Virtual Tours, another option for homes, condos or presently tenanted properties that don’t allow showings is to make an offer conditional upon viewing the property.
AS A SELLER, WHAT’S THE PROCESS FOR PUTTING A HOME ON THE MARKET?
A lot of this depends on where the property is located. As mentioned, thankfully real estate has been deemed an essential business in Ontario. This allows the home-selling and buying to move forward, in addition to the related businesses that are involved in the process.
Listing appointments can be a virtual meeting between our team members and the seller. If this does not work for a seller, then we can surely meet in person while practicing social distancing and taking all necessary precautions. A video walkthrough of the property can be done with the seller. They could also allow the agent to walk through while they step outside so they can provide any recommendations with respect to preparation for sale work.
Staging is still possible as long as proper protocols are followed. The seller is asked to be out of the home while the stagers are doing their work. If a seller is not comfortable with that then the cleaning, decluttering and rearranging furniture can be done by the seller, with guidance and suggestions from our in-house stager. This is in addition to efforts for curb appeal, like pressure washing, planting flowers, freshening up the ground cover and more. Minor touch-ups or simple repairs can also be accomplished unless an owner is feeling up to an interior painting project. Keep in mind that virtual staging is also included with our services.
When it’s time for photographers to prepare and take their photos, they are going to be taking necessary precautions to minimize physical contact with contents in the home. To minimize contact, they will also tell sellers not to be present during the shoot.
During this time, it’s also worth getting a 3D tour or a professionally produced property video (complete with aerial shots) done. Buyers and their agents are going to lean towards homes that make virtual showings easy and bring the property to life. Now more than ever, it’s a good idea to put the power of video to work. We have been utilizing video for over 5 years and feel that it is a very important feature to the listing.
SHOWING INSTRUCTIONS
All listings in our TTG team that are booked through our front office system include a COVID-19 Agreement and Disclaimer requiring all showing agents to adhere to the rules set by TRREB to ensure we cover our clients and ourselves when it comes to working through COVID-19.
THANK YOU FOR SCHEDULING A SHOWING.
The health and welfare of our clients and community is our top priority. In preparation for your upcoming showing, please ensure that yourself and clients:
- Have not recently travelled outside of Canada (including the US) or have been in close contact with someone who has travelled to China, Iran, or Europe.
- Are not displaying symptoms including but not limited to, fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing in the last 14 days.
- Have not come into contact with anyone with a confirmed or presumptive COVID-19 test in the last 14 days.
You further agree that:
- You and your clients will NOT use the washroom facilities during your viewing.
- You and your clients will NOT unnecessarily touch things in the home during your showing (i.e. furniture, appliances, surfaces etc.)
- Your clients will not unnecessarily bring additional family members or children to the viewing.
- You will sanitize/wash your hands prior to entering the home and touching the lockbox.
Stay strong and we will get through this together!
Contact us anytime 905.640.3131.
Dolores Trentadue & Sonya Torres
Sales Representatives & Team Leaders
Trentadue Torres Group RE/MAX All-Stars Realty INC