Fox Marin Featured in Livabl: Why Virtual Open Houses Are Likely Here to Stay

Publication: Livabl
Date: July 3, 2020
Topic: Virtual open houses, digital real estate marketing, and evolving buyer engagement during COVID-19

About This Feature

Ralph Fox and Kori Marin of Fox Marin Associates were featured in Livabl discussing how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual open houses across Toronto’s real estate market.

The article explored how realtors adapted to changing public health restrictions by embracing digital marketing tools and online property tours, while also examining the long-term role virtual open houses could play within the future of real estate marketing and buyer engagement.

Quotes from Livabl

“Prior to COVID, this wasn’t something that would be on anybody’s radar, and yet now we’ve realized, COVID or not, this is a really great way of marketing to people en masse, with people being able to see properties from the comfort of their home, yet interact with us as we go through the property.”

“I think that’s one thing that really worked and made it a bit more unique, is that it wasn’t just Kori talking to the camera — it was actually a dialogue between the two of us, interacting as we walked through the property, which I think was really helpful.”

“I think the tool itself will be here to stay for a long time because it does have value.”

“The question of open houses and to what extent they come back are, at this point honestly, anybody’s guess, that it’s probably not going to be for a while.”

— Ralph Fox, Broker of Record, Fox Marin

“I think the other thing that [is] great for agents, because the weekends are already so busy, is a two-hour open house takes up a huge chunk of time.”

“But in 10 minutes, you jump online, turn some lights on, do a little spiel deal, and then be done and not have to deal with signs, get totally dressed up, setting up flowers, coffee, [or] guest book signings.”

— Kori Marin, Co-Founder, Fox Marin

Fox Marin’s Perspective on the Market

Fox Marin’s perspective is that the pandemic accelerated innovation within real estate marketing and demonstrated how digital tools could complement traditional property marketing strategies in meaningful ways.

The article highlighted how virtual open houses quickly became an effective alternative while in-person open houses remained restricted across Ontario. Through live online walkthroughs and interactive digital presentations, buyers were able to explore properties remotely while still engaging directly with agents in real time.

Ralph Fox also emphasized that virtual open houses created new opportunities for broader buyer engagement by allowing people to view properties conveniently from home while still asking questions and interacting throughout the experience. Fox Marin’s collaborative presentation style, featuring both Ralph Fox and Kori Marin during virtual tours, helped create a more conversational and engaging format for viewers.

At the same time, Fox Marin acknowledged that virtual experiences could not fully replace the emotional connection buyers often develop when physically walking through a home. While digital tools improved accessibility and efficiency, in-person showings continued to play an important role in helping buyers evaluate properties emotionally and experientially.

From Fox Marin’s perspective, virtual open houses represented an important evolution in real estate marketing that would likely remain valuable even after pandemic restrictions eventually eased.

Why This Matters

The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly transformed how real estate professionals marketed properties and interacted with buyers. Technologies and digital strategies that previously played a limited role within the industry quickly became essential tools for maintaining market activity during lockdowns and social distancing restrictions.

For buyers, virtual open houses created greater convenience and accessibility by allowing them to preview homes remotely before committing to in-person visits. For agents and sellers, these tools introduced more efficient ways to market listings and reach broader audiences online.

The article also reflected a larger shift occurring across Toronto real estate toward digital-first marketing strategies, where online presentation, video content, and virtual engagement became increasingly important components of the buyer journey.

As real estate marketing continues to evolve, balancing technology with personal connection remains a critical part of creating meaningful buyer experiences and successful outcomes.

Read the full article on Livabl