Realtors urged to end open houses amid pandemic

How do you sell a house if you can't show it to buyers? That's the dilemma facing home sellers and real estate agents across the country as the COVID-19 pandemic grips every aspect of life. Real estate associations in Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan have called for a suspension of all open houses. Associations have urged realtors to turn to video or virtual reality tours as a substitute for face-to-face interaction. B.C., Ontario and Saskatchewan have all instituted states of emergency that are aimed at curtailing the spread of the novel coronavirus by restricting public gatherings. RE/MAX Canada and Sotheby's International Realty Canada are among brokerages strongly urging realtors to suspend open houses.