As a realtor, my state, North Carolina, has deemed me “essential.” At first blush, one might wonder, “What is so essential about real estate?”
I have asked myself the same thing, but then I realize how many people rely on the buying and selling of real estate for their livelihood—contractors, inspectors, termite businesses, title companies, attorneys, HVAC service providers, mortgage lenders and even the Register of Deeds office at the courthouse.
Then there are the people who rely on us to help them get out of a bad situation—perhaps they have been abused and need to find a home quickly. Maybe they just lost their job and desperately need to downsize. Maybe they are getting ready to have a baby and their lease is up and won’t be renewed.
So, how can one continue to show houses and sell houses during a time when people may be walking around with this germ, this virus that causes a disease that is taking the lives of so many? What is my role for my buyers and sellers?
After much thought and contemplation, I realized, I have to be the voice of calm. The voice of reason. Part of the solution and not the problem. What is the solution? Staying home? Going crazy in close quarters with family? Filing for unemployment? Sure. Except for one thing, and that is my buyers may desperately need to move from where they are. My sellers may need to move in with family due to health issues or aging problems. They don’t have time to “wait it out.”
Being prepared and letting my buyers and sellers know my plan is how I have been successful in being that voice of calm and voice of reason. I let them know I have hand sanitizer that only I touch. I have wipes that I will use when opening doors and drawers, so they don’t have to touch a thing. I become their protector as much as I can.
I have instructed my elderly sellers that when I call to let them know someone is going to show their home, they need to open up drawers and doors, so no one has to touch anything. I also let them know that I have asked the agent showing their home to use wipes, sanitizer and gloves (if they have them) so that my sellers, my friends, do not have to be anxious about strangers transmitting a nasty virus.
Another way that I have found success in this troubling time is listening. Actively listening to the concerns. Letting people share their fears. Inevitably I am asked the question, “Doesn’t it bother you? Aren’t you worried?” That opens the door for me to give the answer that God is in control. He has not given us the spirit of fear but of love and of a sound mind. So, while I may be concerned, as long as we do what is right, smart and sensible, God will take care of the rest. There is comfort in knowing that God is in control, that He DOES have the whole world in His hands.
God has blessed me beyond measure. He has allowed me to meet people I never would have otherwise. In fact, this pandemic gave me a listing I may not have otherwise had. An elderly seller called my office because another office did not answer their phone. They were told to work from home, so no one was answering their office phone. Turns out he was a Christian man who loves the Lord, and we have had some great conversations. We were also able to put a sign in his yard one day. The day after, the house was shown, we received an offer, and it went under contract. Yes, God is in control. Now this elderly gentleman does not need to worry about strangers coming into his house with the possibility of spreading that virus because God sold this house quickly.
Beth Presson Helton
Class of ’85
