Record realestate.com.au audience shows unquenched property thirst
Realestate.com.au has today announced a new record audience of 10.7 million people for March.
Despite the real estate industry being forced to operate under new guidelines in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
The January figure was also a record with a unique audience of 9.3 million across the realestate.com.au platform, approximately three times the number of average monthly visits compared to its nearest competitor, Domain.
Given the lockdown, Realestate.com.au recently launched Digital Inspections with over 44,000 realestate.com.au Buy and Rent listings now featuring digital video tours.
Compared to early March, views of digital video tours are up 96 per cent and views of 3D tours are up 327 per cent.
REA Group Chief Sales Officer Kul Singh said, "REA has been doing everything it can to support the property market through these unprecented times and to deliver ongoing value to customers by providing access to Australia’s largest network of property seekers."
Barry Plant Director and Senior Auctioneer, James Hatzimoisis said new digital features are helping deliver more qualified leads.
“We’re finding that the enquiries we’re currently getting are much more qualified. People may still want to privately inspect a property before they buy it, but features like Digital Inspections make it so much easier for them to make a decision.”
Jellis Craig Armadale Head of Property Management, Sam Nokes said in the last fortnight he has seen an increase in leases signed without tenants physically inspecting the property and expects this trend to continue.
“We have offered virtual inspections for about three years and landlords have only very recently become more willing to lease to tenants who haven’t completed a physical inspection. At the moment people want to visit as few properties as possible and Digital Inspections allow tenants to pre-screen a property,” Sam said.
“We’re also finding that most prospective tenants who view a Digital Inspection and go on to a physical inspection, will then submit an application to lease the property.”