Company Update: Current Operating Policies, Website Awards and Other News

Reminder on Long & Foster’s Business Operations During COVID-19

With many health experts predicting a rise in cases over the coming months, it’s as important as ever for us to continue following our established protocols for doing business during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the National Association of Realtors and CDC’s recommendations.

While our offices are currently open to our sales agents, we must be prepared for the potential of renewed restrictions in various states this winter.

In the meantime, here’s a reminder of our current operational status.  

Sales offices are open for Long & Foster team members. If you’re not feeling well, please stay home. If you’re healthy and working in the facility, continue to follow social distancing and other best practices.

In-office client meetings are by appointment only, with advance approval from management. By limiting the number of people in offices, it helps minimize exposure and protect those who need to be in our locations.  

Ask your manager about state-specific policies. Some states require mask-wearing within the office, while others restrict the number of people in that facility at one time. Your manager can answer any questions about your office’s operations.

Updated closing protocols in place at our settlement partners. Sellers and buyers continue to close separately, and each side is now able to bring one real estate agent with them to settlement. Check with your settlement partner prior to closing for specific procedures.

Our Core Service partners are available, virtually. Our partners in mortgage, title, insurance and moving continue to coordinate all the necessary processes to get a transaction to closing and our clients to their new homes.

Long & Foster’s Website Earns Top Industry Rankings by REAL Trends

Long & Foster’s website again this year was honored to receive awards in three categories of the 2020 REAL Trends Website Rankings—No. 2 for Best Community pages, No. 6 for Best Property Details content and No. 8 for the Best Overall Website.

Our website has earned significant user loyalty, which has grown exponentially in 2020. In the last six months alone, the site has attracted more than 1 million visitors each month and reported a 91% increase in website traffic in October 2020 compared to October 2019. Additionally, from June 2020 through October 2020, approximately 2 million properties were viewed monthly.

Long & Foster Named Best Real Estate Firm in New River Valley by Roanoke Times Readers

Long & Foster Real Estate’s Blacksburg/New River Valley office has been named the Best Real Estate Firm in the New River Valley by readers of the Roanoke Times in its annual ‘Best Of’ awards. Readers nominated their favorite local businesses in over 50 categories. Those with the most nominations advanced to the online voting round, which took place over the summer. The list of winners was published in the SWVA Living magazine.

Long & Foster Honored for Its ‘Culture of Well-being’ by Cigna

For over 50 years, The Long & Foster Companies, has had a culture of putting people first and a record of achieving success. In addition to providing the best training and technology for our agents, we offer a well-rounded benefits package, including Cigna health insurance, for our over 2,000 employees.  That’s why, we’re proud to announce we’ve been selected among Cigna’s many commercial clients as an Honorable mention for their Culture of Well-being Award.