McIntyre Property has closed one of its offices in Lanyon as buyers and vendors go digital. Photo: McIntyre Property.
Gone are the days of scouring real estate office windows for your dream property, with the majority of buyers finding their next home online.
Like other forms of ‘shopping’, modern house-hunters favour the convenience of browsing the internet and, as a result, more real estate agents are getting away from the office desk and embracing remote working opportunities.
In fact, McIntyre Property owner Colin McIntyre believes there’s barely a need for real estate offices at all anymore. That’s why he decided to close the doors of his Lanyon shopfront after more than 10 years in that location.
“The internet has pretty much made real estate display windows obsolete,” he said.
“We barely get any walk-ins anymore, as most of our buyer and vendor enquiry comes over the phone or via email.”
Colin said, with the majority of his staff working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many still working remotely, it made sense to close the doors of one of the company’s quieter offices.
“We closed the Lanyon office at the end of September and our central hub will be at our office in Greenway,” he said.
“Nothing has changed. We’ll still have the same wonderful team of sales agents and property managers who will continue to provide friendly, reliable and professional face-to-face service.”
As the last remaining agency with a window display in Tuggeranong, Colin said the Lanyon real estate office was “the last of the dinosaurs when it comes to that form of marketing”.
“Window displays were traditional, but not effective marketing,” he said.
“The office was purely for signage, and not a great business investment anymore.
“Buyers search online for properties and agents, then email or call us. They rarely come in, so there’s no need to have multiple offices anymore.
“People buy everything online now, whether that’s real estate, clothing, holidays or whatever. It’s convenient, easy and they can do it in their own time.”
Colin said modern buyers searched all the digital property portals, such as Zango, and signed up for email property alerts from agents.
Real estate window displays have gone the way of the dinosaurs according to Colin McIntyre. Photo: McIntyre Property.
He said those looking to sell searched for reviews, recommendations and news articles online before selecting their preferred listing agent, but that enquiry turned into face-to-face conversations and inspections – usually at the property.
“Today, vendors do their research online and usually get two or three agents in to give them an opinion,” Colin said.
“They often choose their agents before they even meet them in person.”
He said closing the Lanyon office and allowing his staff to work from home was cost-effective and time-effective.
“Agents can get up and start work without having to commute to the office. The flexibility also provides a better working environment for staff members with family commitments,” he said.
“Our sales agents go to people’s homes for face-t0-face appraisals or inspections at a time that suits the client, and we will continue to do that.
“We’ve always been available when the buyers or vendors are available, but in-between we used to spend so much time sitting in the office just in case someone walked in.”
In today’s market, he said having a good reputation and great reviews online were far more important to clients than having a sexy office.
The office closure provides the McIntyre team with an opportunity to get together for their weekly sales meetings at cafes and coffee shops around Canberra, supporting local businesses.
“Staff can come and go at the Greenway office, with hot desks and meeting rooms available,” Colin said.
“If people want to come in and meet the team or see us for follow-up appointments in the office, they most definitely can.”
Colin and his wife Jo own and run McIntyre Property, and will continue to support Canberra sporting teams, charities and local schools.
If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest, contact the team at McIntyre Property, servicing all of Canberra and surrounds, specialising in Tuggeranong, Belconnen and Jerrabomberra.
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