COVID-19 and Real Estate

Florida’s economy has taken a big hit from COVID-19 and many companies have had to layoff or furlough their employees due to closures brought on by the pandemic. However, some industries have been deemed as essential business, and real estate is one.

With that said, agents must abide by the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and John R. Wood has asked its agents to make sure they open all doors for buyers to prevent them from touching any surfaces when showing properties. Also, if available, agents are asked to wear gloves and masks and provide these items to their customers. And, with everyone, washing your hands often; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; and keeping distance between you and others is vital to everyone’s safety according to the CDC.

While safety is at the top of our minds, we are also inundated by heartbreaking news of people contracting COVID-19, so I thought I’d share a positive story that relates to real estate during these unprecedented times.

One of my listings in Naples Park, pictured above, was purchased by some Buyers from New York and closed the same time as the start of the quarantine. Fortunately, the Buyers were able to close remotely due to current technologies and did not need to occupy the house right away. The Sellers of my listing (still referring to 576 93rd) wanted to downsize to live more comfortably in retirement, and I was able to find them a smaller, more affordable home (see photo below — 1202 14th NE).

However, if real estate would have been categorized as a nonessential business, the shutdown would have caused a delay in the Sellers’ closing, and the Sellers (in their seventies) would have been homeless during a time when they needed to protect themselves from this outbreak.

In the midst of closing 1202 14th NE, it was beyond an unsettling time for not only my customers, but for all involved in the entire real estate process end-to-end. The lender, title and escrow companies, attorney’s offices, inspector, appraiser, movers and everyone else in between were working hard to close this property for my customers while practicing social distancing. Fortunately, in the end, we were able to move these wonderful people into their new home.

Since then, it is business as usual in Naples Park, and I’ve been able to assist both Buyers and Sellers alike in this wonderful area just a short walk to Vanderbilt Beach!

John R. Wood has the resources and partners in the industry to help its agents follow the guidelines, which allows me to work with people beyond Naples Park; I can assist people from Bonita Springs throughout all Naples, and Marco Island.