A SUNRAYSIA real estate agent believes COVID-19 restrictions are having a positive impact on how they conduct business.
First National Real Estate Collie & Tierney director Joe Fleri said the restrictions had been challenging but they had adapted.
However, he admitted it was difficult to tell if some changes such as virtual tours of properties were working well.
“It is what it is, it’s a hard one to comment on,” he said.
Collie & Tierney has not completely stopped in-person house inspections but are taking extra care to ensure client’s safety when they offer one-on-one property tours.
“We’ve issued a kit to all our agents and property managers,” he said.
“They have gloves in there, surface spray, wipes, sanitiser and all that sort of stuff.”
Mr Fleri said they hoped Victoria would follow the other states in winding back restrictions.
“Obviously we need to be careful because safety is paramount,” he said.
“We’re just sitting back patiently waiting and hoping but obviously we want to make sure that the risk to the community is not increased as well.”
Burns & Co principal Ashley Burns said the restrictions meant everyone had to think outside the box and become more innovative.
“I think it’s very positive to be honest, some of the changes in the real estate industry will be there forever,” he said.
Changes include utilising live online auctions more frequently and conducting virtual house inspections.
Mr Burns said since the restrictions came into effect, real estate agents had also shut their front doors, which had been a significant change in how they traditionally operated in Sunraysia.
“But I’m a believer in that they may never reopen,” he said.
“Most of our stuff is electronic. Really why do we need to open the door again? It might sound a little harsh and sort of out there but that’s my thinking on it.”
Mr Burns said real estate agencies were in a fortunate position compared to other businesses.
“Restaurants, pubs and coffee shops haven’t got the ability to change because the restrictions are far too great for them but here we can implement change and see the reaction of it immediately,” he said.
