Redfin Expands its Direct Access Program

Portals across all markets are turning to technology to answer the issues arising from stay-at-home orders disrupting workflow. The main solution: virtual tours. But that isn’t the only option for portals. Redfin has utilized something else to allow consumers to view listings. 

Called Direct Access, this program offers buyers the opportunity to self-tour a vacant Redfin listed home on their own time, without the need of an agent present. 

Through the Redfin app, home hunters can unlock doors and tour these homes in person, in support of social distancing, keeping both agents and consumers safe.

Direct Access is now live in the following markets: 

• Austin
• Dallas
• Houston
• Inland Empire
• Las Vegas
• Los Angeles
• Orange County
• Palm Springs
• San Antonio
• San Diego
• Santa Barbara 
• Ventura County 
• With plans to offer the program in additional markets, including Phoenix. 

Redfin has a number of other solutions ready to keep both employees, agents, and consumers safe: 

• Video chat tours with agents (which have increased by 350% month-over-month. They make up a third of the company’s home tour demand.)
• Conduction offers and transactions via video chat (1 in 7 offers were completed this way.)
• Maps showing where listings offer virtual tours, with filtered search results
• Expansion of its live video open house pilot program in Minnesota, Raleigh, and South Carolina

Redfin is showing big moves to counteract the obstacles flying at them from the coronavirus pandemic. These solutions are spreading throughout the industry. Are they going to stay in place after things return to ‘normal’? Is this the new face of the property portal sector? Signs are pointing to ‘yes’.