Real estate is about so much more than buying and selling houses. I’ve always seen it as our job as Realtors to understand and connect with our clients to make sure we help them get exactly what they are seeking from the process. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in spring 2020, the need for this personal approach grew enormously. On top of the normal emotions that go along with buying and selling a home, we saw the need to help our clients and our team members stay safe, the need to work around profoundly different school and work schedules and the need to make those personal connections with our clients in a world where getting together in-person wasn’t an option.

The market took off, which was a surprise to many, requiring expert guidance and unprecedented negotiations during an uncertain time. Refining our real-estate skills and creating processes and systems became a priority amid a market that was more competitive than we had seen in many years. Navigating a pandemic while making one of the largest financial decisions one will make has been daunting for many, and we truly understand that.

As a business owner, I always look for ways to turn adversity into opportunity, and the pandemic was no exception. While I hope our world never has to repeat the disruption, isolation and loss that so many experienced during this time, ultimately we have learned some valuable lessons that will guide our work for years to come.

1. Team is everything. Watching our team come together for each other to get through the past two years has been extremely uplifting. In that same way, our entire community has come together to support charities, small businesses, and people in need. We are proud to be on “Team Fredericksburg” and we know that our success is intricately tied to the success of this community. We don’t think we could have picked a better team.
2. Relationships come first. We have always approached our business this way, but the pandemic highlighted the importance of the bonds we build with our clients. As the market heated up and houses began spending less time on the market, we built extra touch points into our work with clients to make sure we could build those relationships when our time with them was limited. How can we put you in your dream home if we don’t know your dreams? We will be doubling down on our renewed efforts to build bonds with clients as we enter 2022.
3. We can make this experience better! While nothing will ever replace a good face-to-face chat with our clients, we always keep an open mind when it comes to innovations that can take some of the pain points out of buying and selling a house. The pandemic showed us that virtual showings and meetings do have a place—especially for those with busy work schedules—and can help us make life easier for both buyers and sellers going forward. We’re working hard now to adopt the best of both worlds into our practices going forward.
4. Home is what you want it to be. One of the most rewarding parts of the last two years has been watching people re-imagine what is possible for them. Whether it’s a long-awaited move to the beach, a transition to working remotely, or the decision to homeschool, families are redefining home on their own terms. We are all in for that. We want to dream big with you. That’s why we put so much time into studying the market and providing our clients with the latest insights on regional real estate.

We’re excited to be looking at the dawn of 2022 one year stronger, and we can’t wait to help you with your next move.

 

Amy Cherry Taylor is the mother of two boys. She has been a Realtor for 18 years and has owned Amy Cherry Taylor and Associates of Avery Hess Realtors in Spotsylvania County for the past 5 years.