Sedona and Arizona Are Open!
Why Arizona Did It Right...
As other states are opening up, Sedona and Arizona have been open for some time. The mask mandates were lifted on March 25, a year and one week since the initial lockdown which was on my husband's birthday, March 18th, 2020. Restaurants opened for limited indoor dining around May 12th, 2020. By May of 2021, the mask mandate was lifted and restaurants could be at capacity.
There was a plan put in place...
Charts were developed with specific benchmarks for reopening. If your county met those guidelines your businesses were able to move to the next phase of reopening. Real estate was never shut down. But guidelines were set up for safety.
My Real Estate Business Flourished in 2020...
I adjusted my business to meet the needs of my clients. This has not changed in 2021. One thing I did differently from others was to use video and live facetime for clients. Clients loved it. Many agents and brokers paused their business. I did not. I had the best year of my career. The only issue, I have been way to busy to enjoy a work-life balance. More on that below...
In 2021, we continue to drive separately from our clients. Again, I will be flexible and work with clients the way they want me to work with them. We all look at this pandemic differently. I respect that and the concerns a client may have. As for dining with clients and friends. Last year, my husband and I still took clients out to lunch or dinner. No changes in this area are planned.
Networking Is A Priority In 2021...
Because our market is so tight, I have resorted to calling my network of agents and brokers to find out what they have coming on the market. I have about 10 clients that are in a holding pattern. We have had clients offer $200,000 over asking. How do you compete with that? So when I have a client that really wants a home that I have previewed and is about to hit the market, I find out what the bottom line is to get the deal done. I have been able to close two homes using this strategy.
I am spending more time on the MLS than ever before looking for that new home that is hitting the market today.
The last thing new I am doing is working with a couple of other agents so that we can make sure clients are taken care of. While I was on vacation, one client of mine wanted to continue to look for their dream home. I got an agent to help show properties that I picked out for my client while I was away. This may be something that I continue to do to get a better work-life balance.
As For My Personal Life and Vacation Time...
Family is very important to me, especially spending time with my grandson. In 2020, we never stopped seeing the family, so not much is new on this front. We have already been on a mini-vacation and have 2 more planned. A mini-vacation is where we can enjoy a Scottsdale resort but are only 2 hours away if I need to get back. I also continue to work while enjoying the time away. It's in my blood and Rick is ok with it.
Vacation Plans - 2021 and 2022
Rick and I took Tristan to the Westin Time-shares a couple of weeks ago. He went crazy! It was so much fun to see his enjoyment. He is only 5 and just starting to swim without floaties.
We will do 3 or 4 mini-vacations in 2021 but 2022 is a special year and that will have at least 1 special vacation. Rick and I will celebrate our 50th Anniversary and a couple of milestone birthdays. So either a cruise and or Maui is in the works. Right now, we are planning a family celebration in Maui. We have a 2 bedroom oceanfront vacation ownership at the Maui Marriott and it would accommodate all of us.
We are just in the planning stages now.
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