In these uncertain times it’s better to be prepared than be caught by surprise. New Zealand are currently under COVID-19 LockDown (Stage #4) and it’s not definite, but it’s highly likely that Australia or some states of Australia will follow similar LockDown measures shortly to tackle the Coronavirus crisis.

Yesterday, I tuned into a couple of live conference calls with a group of people from New Zealand who recently had Stage #4 LockDown imposed, which means that they are all now working from home and they anticipate being Locked Down in their homes for the next month or two.

One of the contributors said that a lot of Kiwis were ready for Stage #2 level LockDown, but, many were caught by surprise by the sudden upgrade to Stage #4 LockDown.

So I thought I’d share 5 Quick Tips that might help you prepare for what could be ahead.

The most important thing is to look after your health first and foremost along with adhering to the rules imposed to protect yourself as well as others.
Remember, the safety demonstration in an aeroplane says “if the oxygen mask falls from the ceiling make sure to apply your mask first before you help others.” If you don’t look after yourself, you can’t look after others.
If you’re working from home make sure you set up your home office with everything you need. Download files you may need from your work computer. Get a scanner if you haven’t already got one (apparently scanners sold out very quickly in NZ). Buy office supplies, ink cartridges for your printer, batteries if any of your equipment uses them, envelopes, printer paper, letterhead and buy some stamps from the post office because apparently the postie still delivers, but the post offices are closed. Also, set up a closing down your office protocol or checklist so that you’re not in a panic when you have to close your business or workshop, because my understanding is that you can’t go back to your place of business to get or fix anything during Stage #4 Lockdown. eg. things like emptying the fridge/freezer just in case there’s a loss of power, diverting the phones to the best person to handle the incoming calls, etc.
Buy your hardware supplies now if you’re thinking about doing any of those repair jobs you always wanted to do around the home. You’re going to find yourself with a lot of spare time during Lockdown and it’s better to get what you need now to do those odd jobs, because you won’t be able to buy them if we go into LockDown Stage #4.
Also, if you’re preparing your home for sale it may be worth doing a quick FaceTime call with a stylist like Jeanine from The Styling House to get a few tips about colour selection and staging your property for when you’re considering putting it on the market.
After we get through Lockdown I anticipate that there will be a lag period for getting supplies because businesses will take a bit of time to get back to normal operating levels, and if you get your property ready during the LockDown, you’ll be able to get a first mover advantage on other properties that are going to come onto the market.
I would also get in contact with your Conveyancer or Solicitor and request that they prepare your Contract Of Sale prior to Lockdown because the required certificates from the local councils will take longer than normal to be issued, plus Swimming Pool Inspections may be delayed.
Buy board games, puzzles and craft supplies, etc to help keep your family entertained and provide a bit of fun & sanity during the Lockdown period. Apparently, there was a rush for these items at the shops when Lockdown Stage #4 was announced and there were none left on the shelves.
Also, a new Facebook Group has been set up called Parents In Quarantine which you may want to join to get some ideas about what other parents are doing to entertain their kids during LockDown.
Take this opportunity to improve yourself. The next few weeks or months (however long the Lockdown takes) is an ideal time to get into a personal routine and improve your habits. Apparently, in Stage #4 Lockdown you can still go for a walk (on your own). This is a good opportunity to tune into some podcasts are listen to audiobooks via Audible
A couple of the best podcasts I have listened to recently regarding getting through the Coronavirus crisis are from Brendon Burchard. Here’s a link to Part 1 and Part 2.
A couple of good Audiobooks around setting new habits are High Performance Habits and Atomic Habits.
Happy to hear of any other suggestions or ideas others may have in the comments below.
So, What am I doing in my real estate business to be prepared for my clients ahead of COVID-19 LockDown (Stage #4)?
Earlier this week, Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison announced that real estate agents are banned from conducting public Auctions or Open Homes as of midnight Tuesday evening.
Many real estate agents were outraged by this announcement, but, the fact is that our industry is extremely lucky because it wasn’t shut down (from operating at this stage) like lots of other industries have been eg. beauty therapists, events, etc.
However, I anticipate that very soon we will be instructed that no physical inspections of properties will be able to occur, which is why I have already started looking into innovative ways to still do Business As Unusual during the next phase of LockDown.
One thing that I am doing with my clients right now to be prepared for Lockdown Stage #4 (which I believe is imminent) is arranging Pre-Purchase Pest & Building Inspections via a company called BuyBeforeYouBid. The inspections cost the owner $49* initially and the reports are able to be purchased by potential buyers for only $49*. For more information about these reports visit BuyBeforeYouBid.
Another thing that I’ve been doing for each of my clients is recording a video walkthrough of the properties so that anyone enquiring whilst we are in Lockdown will be able to do a Digital Inspection of the property.
Also, I have a number of properties that are about to go up For Sale ‘Off-Market’ and I am in the process of setting up a Brand New Way To Buy And Sell Acreage which will work very effectively throughout the COVID-19 LockDown period and it’s likely to become…
The NEW WAY To Buy And Sell Acreage In The Future
These are very uncertain times, but there’s also an opportunity during times like these to take more of a helicopter view of what’s ahead and anticipate where these changes to our lives will lead us into the future, beyond the Coronavirus crisis.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Please stay safe.
Regards
Greg Vincent
PS: If you’re thinking of selling your acreage property (or you’ve been trying to sell) but you or your agent have decided to put it all on hold for the moment, I may actually have the way forward for you and if you’d like to find out more about The NEW WAY that I have developed, don’t hesitate to get in contact with me.