By: Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS

July 7, 2020

Many real estate activities can easily be done through a virtual experience. This allows home buyers and sellers a greater measure of flexibility to fit their needs. It also helps the real estate industry comply with guidelines set in place regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. By working with a Realtor® who is adept at utilizing a virtual experience for real estate activities, home buyers and sellers can have peace of mind.

What is a Virtual Experience in Real Estate?

GMS spoke with Ann Anderson, Relocation Director at Leading Edge Real Estate. The company has been perennially noted as one of the Top Places to Work by The Boston Globe. Ann agreed to share her industry knowledge and market expertise on what a virtual experience is in real estate.

COVID-19 and Real Estate

Ann believes that our experience with COVID-19 will change the way we all live, work, and play. For Leading Edge, their number one priority is the safety of their clients. As such, the company has adapted their buying and selling processes with a focus on client safety. Ann notes that Leading Edge is able to provide an almost 100% virtual experience for their clients.

What is the Home Buyer Virtual Experience at Leading Edge?

According to Ann, for home buyers looking to purchase a home that is currently occupied, Leading Edge and other top-notch real estate companies GMS works with now offers the following process:

Consultation, Online Views

  1. Virtual consultations using popular meeting platforms such as Zoom or Google Hangouts
  2. Document signatures captured electronically using Dotloop real estate transaction management solution
  3. Online searching for homes
  4. Virtual experience tours of homes, either 3D virtual tour online, or a live virtual tour (open house or private showing)

Offer, Contract, Deposit

  1. Electronic offer submittal (once seller receives an acceptable offer, that specific buyer can see the property in person within 24 hours; following the viewing, the seller will execute the offer)
  2. Contract to purchase the home is executed electronically
  3. DepositLink is used to electronically transfer the deposit

Inspections, Appraisal, Financing, Closing

  1. Inspections are ordered and conducted (if not waived)
  2. Appraisal is completed
  3. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector inspection can be deferred for 90 days after restrictions are lifted (buyer responsibility)
  4. Buyer obtains financing commitment if applicable
  5. Title 5 Septic System Inspection if applicable
  6. Final in-person walk-through (if not waived)
  7. Closing

Ann states that Leading Edge has received many favorable comments from home buyers about the ease of use for these virtual services.

What is the Home Seller Virtual Experience at Leading Edge?

Similar to the experience for home buyers, Leading Edge now offers the following process for home sellers of occupied homes:

Consultation, Digital Marketing

  1. Virtual consultations using popular meeting platforms such as Zoom or Google Hangouts
  2. Document signatures captured electronically using Dotloop real estate transaction management solution
  3. Virtual walk-through and preparation for the home: Leading Edge provide home sellers with guidance on staging and de-cluttering the home; each listing will have a seller’s description; sellers can take photos and Leading Edge will create a video tour of the home and a digital brochure.
  4. Virtual experience “Open House” event with advertising and promotion; seller will conduct a live video tour during the Open House and Leading Edge agent will be online to answer questions
  5. Virtual private showings that Leading Edge will schedule; seller will conduct a live video tour for the showing and Leading Edge agent will be online to answer questions

Offer, Contract, Deposit

  1. Electronic offer submittal (once seller receives an acceptable offer, that specific buyer can see the property in person within 24 hours; following the viewing, the seller will execute the offer)
  2. Contract to purchase the home is executed electronically
  3. DepositLink is used to electronically transfer the deposit

Inspections, Appraisal, Financing, Closing

  1. Inspections are ordered and conducted (if not waived)
  2. Purchase and Sale agreement is executed
  3. Appraisal is completed
  4. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector inspection can be deferred for 90 days after restrictions are lifted (buyer responsibility)
  5. Buyer obtains financing commitment if applicable
  6. Title 5 Septic System Inspection if applicable
  7. Final in-person walk-through (if not waived)
  8. Closing

What Does This Mean?

The real estate industry has been at the forefront of adopting new technologies to assist clients. Ann notes that Leading Edge Real Estate is continually adapting their processes to focus on client safety. Additionally, the company and other top-notch real estate companies GMS works with features best-in-industry marketing practices. They also leverage the latest technologies to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction for home buyers and sellers.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand how to provide solutions for their new hires and transferees who are looking to buy or sell a home. As a result, our team can help your company learn about the virtual experience in real estate transactions. This will help employees benefit from new technologies for successful home buying and selling. It will also help ensure their health and safety under the current COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Contact our experts online to learn more about the virtual experience in real estate, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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Senior Vice President, Global Account Management Sam joined Global Mobility Solutions in 1996 and has a unique perspective with her 25 years of industry experience. Samantha offers her clients relocation expertise and a commitment to excellence in her. Her proficiency in orchestrating the BVO and GPO Programs, as well as relocation policy design and implementation, are invaluable assets to the accounts she manages. Her experience in administering Pre-Decision Relocation services to enhance the recruiting process further demonstrates her unique abilities to service her clients. Samantha’s diverse experience, leadership, and outstanding communication skills enable her to manage the relocation process for her clients with finesse and polished professionalism.

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