While most successful agents are prepared for the unexpected, nobody could have foreseen the current state of the market—or the world. COVID-19 is impacting nearly every facet of life, including how real estate transactions are carried out. Fortunately, abiding by social-distancing directives doesn’t have to mean putting your career on hold. As an agent, there are still many steps you can take to ensure that you stay on the right path.

Here are a few things you can do to continue building your real estate business during the COVID-19 pandemic…

Connect with clients

Even during these challenging times, there are buyers and sellers who need to make a move sooner rather than later. Now is the ideal time to assure them that you’re available to serve their needs, and convey the health and safety protocols you’re implementing. Sending a courteous (and tactful) email to clients and past leads who have agreed to receive communications from you is a great way to do that. 

Stay up-to-date

Guidance from health officials has shifted quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic. To inspire confidence in potential clients and help protect public health, agents have had to make some informed decisions. Staying on top of developments impacting the industry has been—and continues to be—crucial. Do your part by checking for updates from provincial and municipal authorities, and from the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). 

Update your CRM

For real estate agents, the importance of a well-maintained CRM can’t be overstated. This crucial tool can make managing your leads simple, but only if it contains the most current information. Fortunately, you can input recent leads, clear out irrelevant ones, and devise a more effective segmentation strategy (if need be) while you’re social distancing. From there, revisit your paused and ongoing drip campaigns to determine whether they should be updated.

Catch up on admin work

Whether you have help with your administrative tasks or not, taking a hands-on approach (at least occasionally) can help you better understand your business. Chances are that you’re less busy than you were prior to the pandemic, which means you have more time to devote to details. From finding a more efficient filing system to reviewing the forms and paperwork you use, the steps you take now can streamline your processes well into the future. 

Get a head start

Busy real estate agents often feel as though there isn’t enough time in a day. Serving clients in person, coordinating with other professionals, and answering an endless stream of emails doesn’t always leave enough time for big-picture thinking. Due to COVID-19, that’s all changed. In the weeks and months ahead, you’ll likely be able to devote yourself more to business planning and marketing. So brainstorm, do your homework, and dive into those projects you can’t usually squeeze in!

The way real estate business is done has changed a lot in the era of social distancing, but that doesn’t mean you have to neglect your business. By staying on top of ongoing market developments, improving your processes, and looking ahead to the future, you can help ensure your continued success in the years ahead. 

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Get in touch to learn how RE/MAX Professionals can set you up for success!