What Our London Office Is Saying . . .

Getting in Gear

Nick Churton, based at the Berkshire Hathaway, HomeServices EWM Realty, London international marketing office, offers his thoughts on the efforts being made to keep buyers and sellers on the move.

Throughout the lockdown, agents and brokers have been working remotely. The past few weeks have been frantic. First there were all the home sales, which had to be pushed past the finishing post. Even in lockdown we have been able to do this within responsible guidelines. Then there are the deals that were only just tied up when the lockdown began. It is astonishing how many buyers and sellers have been keen to keep to their plans – even though they might have to add weeks and even months to transaction times.

But now we are also busy working with those who are already planning new lives beyond the pandemic. We are advising on marketing and even ballpark pricing – subject to final inspection. We know that keen buyers have pencilled in viewing appointments for when the lockdown is over, having used superb video presentations to whet their appetites.

Of course, it isn’t fun. None of this is: for anyone. The virus has changed our lives and the lives of everyone with whom we work. But despite working remotely we are all working together. Agents from around the world are working closely to keep buyers’ and sellers’ real estate dreams alive, even through this global crisis.

Working through the pandemic has been like peddling a bike up a steep hill. We have had to change gear. We will probably change gear again. But one thing is very certain; we will be in the right gear when it’s all over.