As the pandemic spread, few industries changed as quickly or as completely as real estate. In many areas, public safety protocols meant real estate was effectively on pause for several weeks. During that time, agents and brokers all over the country worked around the clock to figure out safe and effective ways to continue serving clients. Never before had there been so much risk.

And those professionals rose to the occasion. Real estate transactions have continued at a brisk pace, giving buyers the chance to access historically low interest rates. At the same time, sellers have benefited from rising home prices in some of the most desirable markets. Now, at last, there are optimistic signs of coming out the other end of the pandemic. But things won't simply go back to the way they were.

Many of the real estate trends accelerated by the pandemic were already percolating in the background. Virtual home tours and showings, remote work, marketing automation, and more have gained traction faster than anyone predicted. The benefits of these fresh approaches remain very attractive. Real estate experts often thrive on face-to-face interactions. It will be a relief to see clients in person more frequently. But the top pandemic trends have unlocked ways to get more done and serve more people — all without having to sacrifice the personal touch that makes relationships work.

Let's look at some game-changing real estate trends that have staying power:

• Virtual Home Tours and Showings Are More Convenient for Everyone
  Virtual home tours arose out of the need to show property without gathering large groups of people together. But buyers have enjoyed the chance to peruse more properties with less travel — it allows them to widen their search. Sellers, in turn, don't mind not having to clean up after waves of guests. More agents are now comfortable on camera at a time when video marketing is becoming crucial to marketing success.
  
  
• Remote Work is Helping Real Estate Teams Collaborate Effectively
  A striking 4.7 million people were already working remotely when the pandemic began. Working from home leads to lower overhead costs and can spark higher productivity: team members may no longer need to worry about paying thousands of dollars and wasting hundreds of hours in commutes. Yes, remote work is an adjustment and requires trust. With high-speed internet widely available, though, it is perhaps the best time for this trend to thrive.
  
  
• Marketing Automation Means Real Estate Brands Stay in Touch
  How do real estate brands keep relationships going strong when a personal visit is out of the question? Today's internet enables marketing tools with incredible reach and sophistication. Agents can monitor all of their contacts with Delta Media Group's all-in-one solution for real estate professionals and launch personalized email drip campaigns at the touch of a button. Email newsletters, social media, open house management, and more can be achieved in minutes rather than hours.
  
  
• Millennial Homebuyers Are Moving to Cities in Droves
  A mass exodus from expensive states like New York and California led some market-watchers to predict hot urban markets would soon be cooling down. That's not quite the case, further research reveals millennials are still choosing cities. Attractive interest rates, robust housing inventory, and low down payments are some of the main contributors to urban appeal. More than a third of Millennials still say cities are in their near future.
  
  
• At the Same Time, Older Buyers Are Opting for Suburbs
  While younger buyers embrace the uncertainty of a fast-changing world, their elders are keeping more options on the table. Some have decided to move away from densely populated urban centers. Others are taking the opportunity to downsize or to consolidate into multi-generational households. Creative real estate pros will have diverse opportunities with older buyers in the coming years.
  
  
• Now More Than Ever, Agents Need a Professional Real Estate Website
  As time goes on, buyers of all age categories become more likely to start their home search online. In 2018, 44% of all home buyers went online to start their home search. In total, 98% of older Millennials used the internet for home buying. Photography, detailed property information, floor plans, and virtual tours were among the top features they cited as useful. Real estate website design is now inseparable from your professional brand.

Real Estate Is Undergoing a Digital Revolution: The Right Technologies Are Essential to Success

The pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone. It will pass, but the lessons learned will endure.

Today's most effective real estate agents are using technology to adapt, overcome challenges, and add value to their communities. Modern real estate technology is the key to building a practice that lets you deliver sterling customer care while making space for the work-life balance you want in the long term.

To learn more from the real estate digital marketing experts, contact Delta Media Group today.