(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

Second Open House Pause

Second open house pause for realtors as COVID-19 cases spike

Nov 19, 2020 | 4:53 PM

Open houses are closed until at least 2021 in Saskatchewan due to rising COVID-19 cases.

The decision by the Saskatchewan Realtors Association on Nov. 19 was described as tough by CEO Jason Yochim, as open houses are a key tool for realtors to help market homes for buyers and sellers.

However, it’s not the first time an open house pause transpired amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

“We did it earlier in the spring when we felt a need to convey a message to the consumer that we can continue to do the business they need us to do without putting them or their families at risk,” Yochim said. “Even though this creates some inconvenience for our members and possibly organizations… weighing public safety in the balance with that was the right way to go. There are other ways property is being marketed.”

Avenues such as virtual open houses and Facebook Live are still available for realtors, and Yochim said they can still show properties via appointment if there’s no more than two people per session.

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Yochim believes Saskatchewan realtors are more prepared for a second open house pause than the first.

“The members that we have had feedback from are supportive of this decision,” Yochim said. “We haven’t had anybody push back in a negative way. I think they see the importance of protecting their clients and making sure the consumers that do need to buy or sell can feel comfortable doing so without being hindered with their plans. Consumers are very well educated today as far as what properties might be of interest to them long before they physically walk in because of the technology we’ve been utilizing.”

The open house pause will last until Jan. 1, 2021 at the earliest, although Yochim said the date it’s lifted will vary as the association monitors the COVID-19 trend.

Rural communities taking a softer blow than cities

Tammy Lepine, a realtor across the northeast at Royal Lepage Renaud Realty, wasn’t surprised when she heard of the second open house pause.

“I’m surprised it took them this long to pause them again,” Lepine said. “It makes things a little bit more difficult, but not too bad. It’s important for everybody’s safety.

“I think the cities will be really affected. Us too a little bit, but maybe not as much as them. We do open houses out here, but in the city that is a huge thing for them. They do a lot more open houses just to bring in new clients as their market is very competitive.”

During the first open house pause, Lepine relied on technology more to conduct virtual private tours and showcase the properties online. She said the extra work came when open houses resumed, as she and fellow realtors had to be strict with consumers on hand sanitization, mask wearing, small groups, and surface touching.

Despite the added obstacles, Lepine said the real estate market didn’t drop the way she and her peers envisioned.

“When COVID-19 first hit, it was dead for a month or two, but then it got so busy. The last few months have been the busiest of my career so far,” Lepine said.

With low interest rates for buyers and lower inventory to compete against for sellers, Lepine is hopeful winter remains as busy as summer and autumn, even with another open house pause in place.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow