Analysing current market trends during the lockdown and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the real estate market there is no doubt we as the property industry have to approach our business practices in a way that is conducive to growth whilst still providing effective services to our clients during this time.

That is why Harcourts has been pro-active in combining conventional real estate practices with modern business solutions in an
ever-evolving environment. At Harcourts we have prioritised digital and technological solutions for many years, introducing innovative strategies to take our business forward.

Within the current context, we have implemented immediate plans to mitigate adverse impacts on our real estate business by introducing our world-class real estate technology with newly developed strategies to ensure real estate remains buoyant during the lockdown. Because alert levels will be instituted periodically buyers, investors and tenants are not able to physically visit properties they are interested in so our strategies ensure they are still able to participate in the market.

We have transitioned all our traditional business practices into a fully-fledged digital offering. Functioning as an online agency and providing all the necessary services to our clients. Some of our technologies include a complete virtual experience. This has proven very successful and we have concluded many deals during the lockdown with this offering. Because of our dedication to professional videos, photography and products such as Matterport we have the ability to offer virtual show days through various online platforms. We are finding sellers are engaging with our agents and prospective buyers on multiple levels. Virtual photographic and video solutions showcasing the home in real-time has taken buying and leasing property to a whole new level.

This virtual solution translates into a variety of possibilities from remote valuations to documentation being prepared and finalised online. Harcourts has always prioritised our client experience and over the years been known for our cutting-edge technology. Mobile technology is a vital element of this strategy and as we know, based on data and analytics, that the majority of buyers and sellers engage with our agents on mobile devices.

Harcourts was previously selected from a world-wide category to be the first real estate company to be featured across Apple’s global web network with a case study showing how we have used Apple’s iOS technology to transform our business.

During this process of online marketing, valuations and virtual experiences clients can monitor agent activity with our client login service, a portal for exclusive Harcourts clients to use to keep up-to-date with everything that is happening with their property. It gives clients 24-hour access to everything they need to know about what is happening with the sale or leasing of their property and the ability to communicate directly with the agent dealing with their property.

This transition has been incredibly important for our agents and offices working remotely all across the country. We believe that this transition will act as a catalyst for future real estate practices.

Statement by
Richard Gray
Harcourts South Africa CEO