Conducting Live Virtual Tours During COVID-19 and Beyond

During the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting live virtual tours can help real estate business to continue while keeping REALTORS® and clients safe. A live virtual tour, not to be confused with an open house, is a tour of a seller’s property, during which the seller, seller’s Realtor, buyer and buyer’s Realtor are all present using virtual meeting technology. Conducting live virtual tours allows sellers and buyers to show and view homes while minimizing physical interaction with the listed properties.

If you have a grasp of using virtual meeting technology, including an understanding of the security features, and feel comfortable coaching your clients on using the technology, you’re well on your way to hosting live tours. The Kamloops & District Real Estate Association (KADREA) and Kootenay Association of REALTORS® (KAR) have also created helpful resources on live virtual tours to support Realtors in offering this valuable service.  

How do live virtual tours work?

Live virtual tours are organized by the seller’s Realtor at the request of an interested party. During the tour, the seller’s Realtor hosts a virtual meeting using their preferred meeting platform (e.g., Zoom, Skype, Facetime, etc.). The seller’s Realtor invites the buyer, the buyer’s Realtor and the seller to this virtual meeting, and all four parties join remotely.

Of the parties involved, the seller is the only party physically present in the home. The seller remains on mute with their camera turned on and provides a tour of the property. During the tour, the buyer and the buyer’s Realtor may ask questions and request to see additional aspects of the home. All questions should be directed to the seller’s Realtor.  

Tips for conducting live virtual tours

KADREA/KAR created a tip sheet for all parties involved in a live virtual tour, which includes tips on conducting live virtual tours, using virtual meeting technology, guiding client discussions, and more. You can download the printable tip sheet here. They also created helpful video examples of what a live virtual tour could and shouldn’t look like.

Watch the video examples:

• What a REALTOR® LIVE TOUR could look like
• What a REALTOR® LIVE TOUR shouldn't look like

The future of real estate

As real estate consumers get used to the ease and convenience of virtual real estate practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will likely be demand for these practices after the pandemic has passed. Now is a great time to adopt new technologies and business practices, such as live virtual tours, that consumers may expect in a post-COVID world.  

To learn more about live tours, visit the KADREA website.

For more information and resources related to real estate practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the BCREA COVID-19 resources page.

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