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<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto: James Bombales<\/em><\/p>\n From online grocery orders to virtual meetings with colleagues, technology has played a crucial role in keeping our everyday lives moving forward amidst coronavirus social distancing rules.<\/p>\n Even in real estate, digital substitutes have stepped in, particularly in the realm of open houses. Under current provincial health and safety guidelines, open houses are still temporarily banned across Ontario<\/a>. While this means impromptu in-person visits are prohibited, the opportunity has prompted many realtors to embrace hosting virtual open houses.<\/p>\n\n \u201cPrior to COVID, this wasn\u2019t something that would be on anybody’s radar, and yet now we\u2019ve realized, COVID or not, this is a really great way of marketing to people en masse, with people being able to see properties from the comfort of their home, yet interact with us as we go through the property,\u201d said Ralph Fox, broker of record and managing partner at Sage \u2013 Fox Marin Associates Ltd, Brokerage.<\/a><\/p>\n Recently, Fox and fellow managing partner and broker, Kori Marin, hosted an 11-minute virtual open house on Instagram Live for their loft listing at 455 Front Street East<\/a> in Toronto\u2019s Canary District. With Marin speaking in front of the lens and Fox operating the camera, the two showcased the 1,000-square-foot residence to an audience of 20, interacting with viewers while highlighting the property\u2019s fixtures and features.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s one thing that really worked and made it a bit more unique, is that it wasn\u2019t just Kori talking to the camera \u2014 it was actually a dialogue between the two of us, interacting as we walked through the property, which I think was really helpful,\u201d said Fox.<\/p>\n Photo: Vlada Karpovich<\/a> \/ Pexels<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Pre-pandemic, it was common for buyers and their agents to spend hours touring weekend open houses in search of the perfect property \u2014 in some cases, Marin and Fox say that open houses used to attract hundreds of visitors. While all of that has now changed, virtual open houses offer unique advantages. For instance, Marin explains that potential buyers who are intimidated by in-person open houses may appreciate the more anonymous interactions of the virtual counterpart. Even for agents, hosting online takes less time and allows realtors to cover multiple open houses in a day.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the other thing that [is] great for agents, because the weekends are already so busy, is a two-hour open house takes up a huge chunk of time,\u201d explained Marin. \u201cBut in 10 minutes, you jump online, turn some lights on, do a little spiel deal, and then be done and not have to deal with signs, get totally dressed up, setting up flowers, coffee, [or] guest book signings.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the virtual open house alternative, Fox says that the opportunity to see a home in-person before firming up an offer won\u2019t ever be replaced. Through a screen, it can be difficult to forge the emotional bond buyers make with a property that they envision living in.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\r\n SEE ALSO:<\/span>Housing to become more affordable before end of 2020: RBC<\/a><\/strong>\r\n <\/div>\n