Corona Diaries

Monday marked the 1-month anniversary of us pulling our kids from their schools. We did not do so lightly, and a few days after our decision the school district announced that they would be closing schools. That same week, I stopped attending our business meetings and the following week there wasn’t one anymore until our first online meeting last week.

The same shift has happened in every home across the nation. Whether waiting until the official announcements of closures or doing it by choice before it has become the norm and a rule. It has not been easy, and some days have been harder than others. I am sure you share these thoughts with me.

Countless jobs have been lost and far too many small businesses have had to close their doors in our joint effort of slowing the spread of the virus. The shift can be seen in real estate as well. On March 23rd Governor Inslee called the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order that was extended until May 4^th – for now.

I have since closed three transactions. This has required enormous effort from the lenders, escrow and brokers. It took switching title companies mid-transaction and many other twists and turns, but we got there, left the keys on the kitchen table and welcomed new owners in their homes.  This is not business as usual. This is trying to complete what was started and putting on hold everything that can be left waiting.

With the stay home and stay safe order there is also the added moral and ethical component in doing business. Yes. I am allowed to meet with clients one on one after everyone has filled and signed a health questionnaire. Yes. I am allowed to preview homes by appointment after filling out a health questionnaire and sending it to the seller. But I am also supposed to do what I can to stay home and keep everyone, including my family and myself safe and healthy. Personally, I do not see viewing properties as something essential. The essential part of my job right now is in providing that added value. It is delivering a bag of yeast to a client who was unable to find any in the stores, it is sewing a mask for someone in need and it is being here to answer questions and help in any way that I can.

Clients that are not in a dire need of finding a new home have benched themselves, waiting to see what the market looks like in a month or two, and the general consensus in our industry seems to be that our hot spring market has been postponed to a later time. Whether later is this summer or in the fall, we do not know yet. If for one reason or another, you are unable to wait and need to act right now, let us know. We will find a way.

I have listings waiting to be listed. Waiting because there is no immediate need to sell and the concern is where to go if the home were to sell quickly in this market situation. Is there a risk of infection every time a stranger enters the home? I hate to say it, but yes, there is. There is a risk no matter how many wipes are used, and health questionnaires filled. There is a risk every time.

So, no. It is not business as usual, regardless of someone trying to convince you otherwise. We need to be in this together, flatten the curve and be patient as it’s the best and only thing we can do right now. My team will be here waiting for you once we get to the other side. We will be here with my team, ready to serve you. But for now, stay home and stay safe. Seattle, we can do this!