Oh what a year it was! Far too many deaths due to the pandemic. After reviewing where most of my new business originated last year--I realized it was due to COVID 19.
To be clear, I would have much preferred that the world lived through 2020 without the virus. When our city shut down in mid March, I thought my business would shut down too. The week before I had sold two homes to out of towners moving to Kansas City for jobs. I feared the deals would fall through. When transportation between states was shaky, one of my pending contracts threatened to cancel, citing the risk of getting infected during the move. Everything seemed to stop, while agents wondered if real estate would be classified as an "essential business". Three sellers decided to stay put instead of list their homes. The corporate lawyers were busy writing up hold harmless clauses related to showings, and new procedures for potential closing delays due to COVID 19.
As the months went on and we adjusted to a "new normal" with disinfectant, masks, wipes at the ready; parents struggled with "zoom school"; events, parties, vacations cancelled and we watched cases mutiply out of control, I started getting contacted by both buyers and sellers about moving. While getting information about their particular needs and time frame, the reason for relocating was always the same: We want to be closer to family.
This pandemic has caused everyone to rethink their everyday lives: office enviornments, home configuration, what's most important on an individual basis. We feel powerless regarding the pandemic spread and yearn to control what we can. Being physically close to family is more and more of a necessary priority, whether it's to help out with grandkids, spend holidays together, see elderly parents more often, live in a more isolated area, hang with friends--whatever the reason, many people decided on realigning their lives and living someplace else. They feel a strong sense of motivation and ...time's is a wastin', because we all just lost a year of the normal routines--which we can take for granted.
The market in my area, and probably yours, is stronger than ever--demand continues to outstrip supply, especially in the more moderately priced catagories. I'm thankful for the extra business brought about by the pandemic, and if my business slows down in the next year or so because of mass vaccinations and a return to a more ordinary lifestyle--bring it on.
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