News & insights
Covid-19 two years on: the advent of a new working landscape for property professionals
As
we approach the pandemic's second anniversary it's fair to say that the world
is a different place to when Covid-19 struck back in March 2020. For the vast
majority of property professionals, the virus has been a catalyst for change,
heralding the widespread digitalisation of many of the industry's working
practices.
Like
so many industries, conveyancing has had to adapt and change in the wake of
Covid-19 in order to survive. A silver lining to this difficult time is that
much of this digital evolution has created a more streamlined way of working,
to the benefit of conveyancers and their clients alike.
The
use of automation, for example, has been able to relieve the burden of admin
tasks and free up conveyancers to focus on their customer service and growing
caseloads. Firms have also been forced to find new ways of interacting with
their clients since the pandemic, now doing so through a range of technological
options. These include apps, web chats, Zoom/Microsoft Teams meetings, webinars
and online portals where clients are able to check on the progress of a
property transaction at the click of a button.
A
digital connection - either via a virtual meeting or through a portal - is
often a far preferable alternative to face-to-face appointments for clients who
are juggling busy lives. There will always be some customers who prefer to meet
in person however, and it's important for the industry to remember that however
digital savvy their clients may become, customer service should always be
prioritised.
At
Thames Water this is something we hold dear. While we may not be as
technologically advanced as some, we have long embraced the customer friendly
aspects that technological solutions can provide. This is never at the expense
of that personal touch that is so important to us and the clients who put their
trust in us.
Once
you've placed an order with Thames Water, your very own online dashboard shows
you when you can expect each search result to arrive, offering you and your
customers reassurance and peace of mind.
A
recent survey found that the vast majority of conveyancers believe paper and
manual processes will have "all but gone" by 2025, with 79 per cent suggesting
that those who are yet to use technology run the risk of falling behind their
competitors.
When
conveyancers were facing last year's record levels of transactions, the move to
e-conveyancing helped them to cope with the increased demands on their time.