Typical launch events or broker happy hours may be a thing of the past for residential and commercial development projects. In the midst of the pandemic, developers are finding new ways to promote their projects, such as through drive-thru events and virtual launches.

The Real Deal reports how development companies Codina Partners, USAA Real Estate, and the leasing team at Fairchild Partners recently organized a caravan tour of a new industrial development. About 50 brokers attended without ever stepping foot outside of their cars. The idea, developers say, was inspired by car parades for children’s birthday parties during the pandemic.

Brokers were welcomed in their cars to the Beacon Logistics Park in the Miami area. They were handed a branded bag with a large bottle of hand sanitizer and disposable mask inside. Once inside the warehouse, car stops were guided with signs and posters. The drive-thru experience of the property gave Codina Partners and USAA an opportunity to show off the finished development to prospective brokers.

But not all real estate projects lend themselves to drive-thru events. The Real Deal also featured a recent “global virtual sales gallery” from the Monaco Yacht Club & Residences in Miami Beach. The developer sent an e-blast video for a virtual launch in marketing luxury condo units. The video was sent out in several different languages to appeal to international crowds.

Optimum Asset Management USA, which is developing the condo project, had originally planned to host live events this summer to drum up interest. But a surge in coronavirus cases in Florida changed that. The company is planning to host additional virtual events over the summer. But the broker open house isn’t completely gone. Real estate pros are hosting Zoom open houses to groups of brokers to show off properties.

“The world has changed,” Louise Sunshine, a strategic adviser for Fort Partners, which is hosting virtual events for Four Seasons-branded developments in Florida, told The Real Deal. “Marketing and sales have gone digital.” And they’re finding that buyers are more open to buying properties virtually, too.

Homeowners and buyers are placing greater emphasis on yard appeal this year. Google Trends data reveals frequent internet searches for how to enhance outdoor space. Living Spaces, a home décor retailer, recently highlighted several outdoor trends that consumers are searching for the most on Google this summer. Here are some of the hottest.

1. Patio daybeds saw a 257% increase in Google searches over the last six months. “Patio daybeds completely fit in with the ‘indoors out’ theme of 2020, so it’s no wonder they’re on the rise,” Living Spaces notes. “Simplicity is key here to create a calm outdoor space. There’s no need for a large coffee table; an end table or small pouf works just fine.”

2. Searches for small-space outdoor furniture are up 243% on Google over the last six months. “Years ago, the average homeowner would have overlooked a small-space patio or backyard,” Living Space notes. “Now people are doing double-takes.” Homeowners are incorporating rounded furnishings, which can soften and open up spaces. Round tables and stools as well as curved sofas for the outdoors are becoming popular.

3. Backyard bars have seen a 192% increase in Google searches over the past six months while outdoor kitchens saw a 106% increase. “Think of your backyard as you would your indoor space, starting with a floor plan,” Living Spaces notes. “Arrange groups of seating, focal points, serving stations, and walkways for a trendy feel.”

4. Brighter colors are livening up outdoor spaces. Google Trends data shows that “lemon yellow” searches are up by 103% over the past six months, and coral is up by 50%. “In with bright colors, out with boring neutrals,” Living Spaces notes. “Spending more time in our homes and backyards means embracing more of our style personalities. What better way to do that than splashes of fun, playful, energizing color?”

5. Searches for outdoor tiles have jumped 174%. “Outdoor tiles are just another example of how consumers are choosing to ‘bring the indoors out’ to rethink and take hold of their outdoor spaces,” Living Spaces notes. “Tiles are also incredibly coastal chic.”

6. Planters and gardens have become more popular and are being done in even the tightest of spaces, including a vertical wall of planters or containers. “If you’re trying to save space, think vertical,” Living Spaces notes. “Stack planters along shelves or window ledges. Hanging planters are also popular right now.” Searches for planters are up 172% in the last six months, with “planter walls” up 156%.

7. Fire pits never went out of style. “With so many of us spending time at home, fire pits are becoming more popular than ever,” Living Spaces reports. “As summer comes upon us, people are naturally drifting toward outdoor spaces. Slowing down, enjoying conversation, and life’s moments are a few of the life lessons we’ve all had to learn over the past few months.” Fire pits, therefore, are more than décor. Searches for fire pits are up 148% over the last six months, according to Google Trends.

With federal protections about to expire, landlords are being offered additional help as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Federal Housing Finance Agency said Monday that multifamily property owners currently in forbearance can request an extension of their payment suspension for three additional months. That will amount up to half a year in total.

The FHFA guidelines apply only to properties that have loans secured by the government-backed enterprises Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Renters in these complexes should also, therefore, be protected from evictions as long as the forbearance lasts, Forbes.com reports. Landlords must be flexible in allowing renters to repay missed payments and cannot charge fees.

Prior to Monday’s announcement, property owners were only eligible for three months of forbearance on multifamily buildings. Forbearance protection was originally set to expire on July 25.

“During the pandemic, the FHFA has been focused on protecting renters and borrowers while ensuring the mortgage market functions as efficiently as possible,” says Mark Calabria, the FHFA’s director. “The multifamily mortgage forbearance extension announced will help renters say in their homes and help property owners retain their properties.”

Between 19 million  to 23 million U.S. renters could be at risk of eviction by the end of September, the Aspen Institute estimates. That estimate reflects continuing high unemployment and the expiration of government stimulus, including the unemployment payments with an extra $600 week that are set to expire in a month.