Doha: A lot of industries are now finding ways to innovatively continue their business operations despite the ongoing pandemic. In these very challenging times wherein physical interaction is being greatly avoided, real estate agents who act as frontline promoters of the property industry are greatly concerned as the art of rental property presentations and lease negotiations being the key factors in closing deals does require close personal interactions during property viewings.
In efforts to help keep the local property brokerage afloat, the Association of Filipino Realtors & Entrepreneur Executives in Qatar (AFREEQ) is encouraging the enhanced use of video presentations and virtual reality media platforms in addition to the use of still photographs in conventional online advertising channels that have also been recently heightened by various property brokers in Qatar.
The use of such technologies which could easily be implemented through various applications widely available from smartphones wherein real estate companies and can easily upload videos for comprehensive viewing and 4D scans for virtual walk-through tours of the properties they are featuring. In addition to the respective websites of individual real estate companies, online applications and websites such as zoom, Whatsapp, propertyfinder.com, facebook, youtube, twitter and even Instagram are now popular choices for remote marketing.
This method would definitely help house hunters in conveniently browsing available options with more information and simulated experience of the featured properties at the comfort of their own existing homes or office. This would efficiently narrow down their choice of options hence limiting the required physical actual property viewings to a bare minimum.
In a statement, AFREEQ Chairman Joseph Rivera (pictured) noted that client inquiries haven’t ceased as a significant number of Doha residents are still actively moving houses. “Henceforth, we agents are determined to serve whatever is left of the market despite the serious challenges of not working from home. Therefore, we realtors need to remain aggressive and be more creative without undermining the strict health and safety regulations being imposed by the government,” he added.
For situations wherein the physical presence of agents are required during inevitable property viewings especially for furnished units, AFREEQ strongly commends that high safety standards still need to be in place wherein all door handles and light switches need to be sanitised while all surfaced touched or walked by the clients need to be disinfected after the viewing.
“Social distancing of course should be maintained by both the agents and clients at all times with the imperative use of face masks and gloves. Both parties are also encouraged to use hats or hair caps and to wear socks as the use of shoes inside the properties being viewed is discouraged unless sanitized before entering the main door,” Rivera said.
He added that if further requirements is needed, even the actual site viewings of shortlisted properties by the super health conscious clients can also be done even without the physical presence of agents.
