COVID-19 crisis forces Tamworth real estate agents to adopt new technology, tactics

Instead, he does every inspection himself. His only source of self-defence: a bucket of bleach he uses to decontaminate his hands.

The 28-year veteran of Tamworth Real Estate has cancelled most physical inspections, including open homes, a casualty of social distancing to slow the spread of coronavirus.

But there's an inevitable handful of physical inspections that can't be put off. Mr Mills estimates he does a handful every day.

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He's conscious of the risk of contracting the virus. But he puts his trust in a bucket of bleach he uses to scour his hands of the deadly germs every time he returns.

Graeme is just one Tamworth real estate agent trying to adopt new tactics and technology to reduce risk during open homes and inspections.

Agents are no longer entitled to do a traditional open home with a large group. Instead individuals have to organise inspections by appointment. And public auctions have also ended.

But Tamworth agents hope routine rent inspections can soon be done virtually through video conferencing app Zoom.

David Doherty, co-principal at First National Real Estate Tamworth, said the industry is putting safety first, but there's no reason to stop "business as usual".

"The world still has to go on, right?" he said.

"Operationally there's no reason to stop what we're doing - we can function and we are functioning."

First National has developed new safety procedures in line with social distancing rules.

Before a one-on-one inspection staff open all doors, and turn on all lights. Then they greet people at the front of the house to ask them if they have symptoms of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

In the ideal inspection no punter should need to touch anything, but staff carry handwipes to clean anything they do handle.

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At Raine and Horne Tamworth they're hoping to be able to go one step further - doing rental inspections without leaving the office.

"Raine and Horne are looking at doing a Zoom virtual inspection for routines, that type of thing," said Chris Murray.

The Zoom online conferencing technology could also help with condition reports, which still need to be completed to allow renters to vacate homes and apartments.

Until then mandatory inspections are still done physically at Raine and Horne - but with new strict rules banning anyone else from the house while they're being done.

One day they could be done virtually as well.

Every inspection that can be has been cancelled.

Graeme Mills and Tamworth Real Estate are considering the same tactic, using renters as a cameraman to inspect their property.

But he said the high-tech solution isn't for everyone.

"I think we've got a whole part of the population - I'm kind of fitting that group - where we're older and using the phone is fine, but as far as FaceTime, I would not know how to use it."

The "rapid learning curve" has mystified many from his generation, he said.

So the veteran agent plans to keep doing his office's physical inspections as safely as he possibly can, until he's told to stop.

Chris Murray, who is herself working from home, said it's the biggest challenge for the industry in her career, both logistically and financially.

"I've been in the industry now 21 years and I've never been through anything like this," she said.

"This is much worse than the drought.

"This financial year, with the drought, water restrictions, all of those things has had an impact on real estate in Tamworth in general, but nothing to this.

"This is going to be hopefully no longer than six months, but is going to get a lot worse in the next coming month, I believe, as well."

The Australian Department of Health advises antiviral bleach will destroy COVID-19, but "handling it can be hazardous for humans".