Not Business as Usual

The world is a different place. A lot can change in a few weeks. Many things will never be the same.

We’re all feeling loss and maybe experiencing some aspects of grief. Much of the loss is turning into new beginnings. New ways to work. New ways to connect. New ways to communicate. 

Most important for our team is that our community is sound. That our friends and clients are well and coping. Our team has been reaching out to our sphere and checking in. Most people seem to be handling things well. People seem to be in good spirits. 

The real estate business is definitely not business as usual.

For the past few weeks our team, our brokerage and our industry has pivoted daily to adapt to the constantly changing landscape. Our top priority is to protect clients, staff and the public.

Real estate agents have been included in the list of “essential services” by the Government of Ontario. There are particular circumstances that require our services even at times like this. People who had sold their home prior to news of the Novel Coronavirus and need to find a new home are considered essential.  Estates, illness, divorce, financial hardship and employment relocation are a few examples of when our services are still required. 

We have been counselling our clients for a few weeks to possibly defer plans for making a move. Especially if they do not fall into one of the “essential” scenarios above. 

In some cases there is no choice. When our services are required we are working differently.

We rely on virtual technology platforms to facilitate the marketing and sale of property. Virtual or live-streaming open houses are common. There are no more face-to-face meetings for reviewing and signing documents. We are using Zoom and other video communication platforms to review “paperwork”. We use secure, encrypted platforms to obtain legally binding signatures

We have restricted the showing of homes to well qualified and serious buyers. Strict policies, procedures and disclosures are being followed.

Fortunately our team had already implemented many of these technologies.

The current situation has forced us to commit 100%. For our business and ultimately for our clients these changes increase the level of service we provide. We have turned these unprecedented circumstances into an opportunity to evolve.  

These measures have impacted the usual activity in our spring market. Listing inventory is reduced. Buyers are nervous about entering homes and Sellers are hesitant to let strangers walk through their homes.

We’ve been told to stay home and we are listening. 

For most people this won’t be a serious problem. Will it really hurt if you have to defer your plans by a few weeks? 

Being stuck in our homes is expected to create consequences. Some good, some less so.

Many of us will clean, declutter and decorate. These are all great activities for preparing to sell your home. Some of us will take advantage of our new polished look and decide it’s time to move. Some of us will notice every flaw in our homes and as soon as it's more practical we’ll want to move. Our homes will no longer feel like a refuge and sanctuary. We may want to escape. 

Psychologists and mental health professionals are anticipating more dire effects of our isolation. Alcohol and drug use. Increase in domestic violence. Family breakups. Again our homes may not be what they were prior to this pandemic.

Law societies are actually preparing for an increase in family law cases. Isolation, unemployment and shuttered businesses will put a strain on finances. Financial issues are a common cause of family breakdown.

On a positive note demographers are predicting a small rise in birth rates in about 9 months.

We are all adapting and pivoting. We’re learning new ways to connect, communicate and collaborate. We know our business will never be the same. The changes being made are improvements and we won’t go back to “business as usual”. We will still be committed to the goals and needs of our clients. How we serve might look a little different. We think it will change for the better.

As we move forward please know that we are still here.

We’re available to address your questions about the local market, your concerns about the future or just to chat about how you and your family are coping. 

Be well!

Stay safe!