Pre-pandemic life appears distant, doesn’t it? Weeks ago? Seems more like months. Life as we knew it may be slow to return, if ever. Will we mark Q1 of 2020 in terms of pre, mid and post-pandemic? While no perfect forecast exists, one prediction is certain: post-pandemic life will look and live differently.
How Dissimilar is Different?
Will foot shakes replace handshakes?
Will self-serve buffets become passé?
Will Zoom lectures replace lecture halls?
How public will public transportation remain?
Will men’s business attire feature matching masks and pocket squares?
Will people who are able prefer geographical distance over social distancing?
Exodus
Julio and Priscilla furiously packed their rental. Sweat pooled under their masked covered cheeks. Lifelong friends remained sheltered in place keeping track through Instagram eager to help but… Three generations clustered nearby and protested. Priscilla pointed the phone toward her slumbering infant while her plaintive mother begged her to stay. “I can’t…I just can’t…I don’t know Mom. All I know is we have to do something! What future do we have here?”
When the pandemic passes, will Julio and Priscilla return to their roots? Or, will others follow their migratory pathway?
How many will pack and go? How many are able? Priscilla, on maternity leave, received a survey from her manager. She opted to work from home until the end of the year. And Julio? As a Tesla Technician, a job awaits him.
Headlines and Headliners
While forecasting social norms requires a colossal dose of imagination, many are imagining a similar landscape.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo describes the reasons for the rapid rise of the virus. “It’s about density. It’s about the number of people in a small geographic location allowing that virus to spread. Dense environments are its feeding grounds.” Agreeing in principle, Joel Kotkin, executive director of Urban Reform Institute adds, “How are you going to have a city dependent on subways if you’re going to have any social distancing at all? People will continue to move more into the periphery and into smaller cities.” For more, read here.
Harris Poll CEO John Gerzema contributes, “Already beset by high rents and clogged streets, the virus is now forcing urbanites to consider social distancing as a lifestyle; 39% of urban dwellers said the COVID-19 crisis has prompted them to consider leaving for a less crowded place, according to the survey of 2,050 U.S. adults from April 25-27. Here are more details.
Michael Dell, founder, chairman and CEO of his namesake company, “guaranteed” that a larger share of Dell Technologies’ workforce will work from home after the coronavirus outbreak subsides. Jen Felch, Dell’s chief digital officer expects more than 50% of the company’s 165,000 full-time employees to be working from home after the pandemic lets up. Dell is not alone as attested here.
Space Will Be Priority One
What does this mean for sellers and homebuyers? Watch for two trends. Trend one, a migration to the suburbs, smaller towns, and rural properties. Trend two, with employees transferring from company office to home office, residential real estate desires will shift as well. Space will be priority one: larger homes, bigger yards, distance between neighbors, access to nature, and an overall quest for houses sized and structured for work/life balance.
By profession, I am a REALTOR®
By design, I ask questions, lots of questions to ascertain specifics so I might serve well.
By skillset, I solve problems for my clients as they pursue a home that lives well for them for at such a time as this.
By grit, I work relentlessly until my clients are satisfied with a job well done. So let’s get started.
Moving? Call me, text me (503-781-0206) email me ivy.stanton@exprealty and together let’s find a place you can call home.
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