A Birmingham estate agency has become the city’s first to start using an Australian-designed live streaming app that allows multiple potential buyers to view a property.
Edgbaston-based Davidson Estates, which has a busy branch office in the city centre, has started using the Gavl technology as a way of safely operating in the housing market during the COVID-19 health restrictions.
Ben Davidson, director of Davidson Estates, said he believed the new technology is a major game changer for the property industry.
He and his staff carry out regular livestream viewings where potential purchasers and renters view the property as a live event. Those on the livestream can ask questions there and then and direct the agent to specific features they want to see in more detail.
Those who show an interest in a property and want to view it are sent a link giving the time the livestream is scheduled to start and once they have downloaded the app they are notified when it goes live.
A chat box appears on the screen, which also shows on the agent’s device, and those on the livestream can ask questions or guide the agent to what they want to see again or up close.
Ben Davidson, director of Davidson Estates, said: “I believe this impressive technology is a real game changer in the way we market, rent and sell properties for our clients, and that we’ll never fully return to multiple property viewings in person.
“With the latest lockdown across the country and the potential for further restrictions, Gavl is now very much the tool of our trade that allows us to keep operations going.
“What I like about the technology is that it safeguards people from contact with agents and their staff and narrows down serious prospective tenants and buyers as they have to apply and offer for the property before arranging a physical viewing.”
Mr Davidson added: “If a prospective buyer or tenant misses the live stream viewing, then they can simply request the recording. People seem to love it.”
He explained that this service has resulted in a huge reduction in staff time spent out of the office conducting viewings and increased the volume of agreed sales and lets.
Davidson Estates has started using Gavl after an introduction by Matt Nicol of Nicol & Co in Worcestershire, which was one of the early adopters.
Joel Smith, the founder and chief executive officer of Gavl in Melbourne, said: “We have the ability to get agents set up on the platform quickly, and early adopters such as Nicol & Co and Davidson Estates are available to share tips on how to get the most out of Gavl.”
