Dear Shanon, How is real estate during this pandemic?
People are certainly curious how the exciting world of Real Estate and how I’m doing living in it. Work is good and I’m grateful to have it. And yes, Realtors are considered “essential” workers because at the end of the day people still need to buy and sell houses, simple as that. It’s a business of helping people navigate times of change, with many unknowns, tough conversations, $, death, divorce, emotions are high and stress levels are at the max as people make some of the largest investments and decisions of their lives.
There are certainly a lot of moving parts when it comes to moving! When there are so many “what ifs” to consider, when, how, who? Realtors are kind of used to these questions and many are pros at managing the 24/7 work-home-life balance and facilitating those conversations and processes of change with others during such uncertain times. My amazing colleagues can attest to that.
I’m no master at the madness, but on top of assisting others to navigate uncertain waters, somehow managed all right practice this home/office/work/life balance for almost 7 years now. Wake up every day with no instant gratification, no guaranteed paycheck, no one to pat you on the back to say “good job” and yet we take meetings on the phone, facetime, write offers from laptops from anywhere, conduct virtual showings, etc. all while trying to be HUMAN and try to squeeze in a grocery run, crying kid (or howling hound) in the background, mow the lawn, pay the bills, answer calls, fold the laundry-and maybe that’s on a Saturday or a Wednesday-you’re not sure but you work within a changing schedule and learn how to adapt to the daily madness and expectations while still attempting to manage a routine. Practices and realities that a good deal of the world is now putting into place and experience.
Realtors have been utilizing technologies that have already existed like virtual showings for tours, drone technologies, DocuSign for electronic signatures, and more! Of course, as an industry, we are taking the proper precautions during these weird times. This means, yes, we wear face masks and gloves at showings, practice 6 ft distancing, as well as require Buyers to provide signatures in written form if they are experiencing any symptoms that are specifically outlined in a document before showings. Implementing these practices ensures not only safety for all during these uncertain times, but also encourages serious buyers who are more likely pre-qualified w financing in advance to purchase the property and have already taken the necessary steps to make an offer.
If you’re unsure if now is a good time to buy or sell, it depends on your situation. Every person has unique circumstances and every property has its characteristics as well. If you’re an investor, seller, buyer, commercial, or builder-it depends on which route you choose as you navigate this path. However, one thing is certain when it comes to investments and as Franklin D. Roosevelt, U.S. president said, “Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world.”
Shanon Pewtress
Real Estate Broker, Licensed in the state of Oregon
Published East Medford Life Magazine - January 2021
Shanon holds an MBA in International Business, loves writing in her “At Home with Shanon” column that has been delivered to 47,000+ homes in Medford since 2014, has appeared on the Real Estate Radio Show, and was also featured on A&E TV network’s Real Estate Reality TV show.