A Year of the Pandemic in Review

By Missouri REALTORS posted 03-17-2021 09:59 AM

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This March marks one year of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Over the last twelve months, the world has been forced to totally reinvent the ways we communicate and conduct business. We’ve been introduced to social distancing, to mask wearing and to taking meetings over Zoom.

Although it has been isolating, confusing and downright difficult at times, the staff at Missouri REALTORS^® wanted to take a moment to applaud the members of this Association for their flexibility, optimism and perseverance over the last year. We wanted to remind you of the wonderful things we achieved together, despite the pandemic.

Here are some important highlights from the past year:

March: We first heard about COVID-19 cases in the United States and Missouri. In response, the National Association of REALTORS^® released its “Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS^®”, a growing resource for REALTORS^® as we began to understand the pandemic and what it meant for business. Missouri REALTORS^® shares resources on e-learning and how to effectively meet virtually. Missouri REALTORS^® Risk Management Committee approves two new COVID forms that were created by the Residential Forms Committee. Business continues on, and we learn how to conduct advocacy and other essential work on a virtual platform.
April: The first ever completely virtual April Business Conference. Attendees could participate in sunrise yoga, CE opportunities and a virtual “appy hour.”
May: Over 100 Missouri REALTORS^® tuned in for the first-ever completely virtual Missouri Caucus during NAR REALTORS^® Legislative Meetings.
September: REALTORS^® participated in our second virtual conference ever, the September Business Conference. We recognized and honored Missouri REALTORS® for their career-long contributions to the industry with a virtual award ceremony.
October: The 2020 Leadership Orientation & Advocacy Day marked our first in-person, masked-up reunion as an Association. Leaders gathered in Jefferson City to discuss policy issues that we will address in 2021.
November: Missouri REALTORS^® got out and voted during an unprecedented election season. Across the United States, the amount of early and mail-in voting drastically increased as a precaution for the COVID-19 pandemic.
January: The first-ever hybrid January Business Conference took place at the Hilton Ballpark in St. Louis. Joined by a number of excellent speakers, we celebrated our newly inaugurated Leadership Team and engaged in meaningful conversations about emerging issues and market disruptors.

Here are the take-aways and the lessons learned:

There are personal accomplishments to celebrate as well! A couple of weeks ago, Missouri REALTORS^® President-Elect John Mayfield posed the following question to our community of REALTORS^®: Now that we have one full year of COVID-19 as part of our new real estate norm, what have you learned during the past year that has helped grow your business?

Here’s how Missouri REALTORS ^® answered:

“For me, this last year has been one of reconnecting as I go through old contact lists, search out old names on the Internet, and do all those things to reestablish connections that I have let wither.” -John Smith

“From a business standpoint, I found other platforms to engage my past, present and potential clients such as Bomb Bomb, Contractual and a few others. I recognized my clients spent more time reading the quarterly magazines I send, and it has sparked more engaging text and calls by them.” -Beatrice Covington

“I've discovered how convenient it is to jump on Zoom to do paperwork. Rather than meeting late at the office, everyone meets from the comfort of their home. You pull up the paperwork and go through it, editing on your computer as you go. Once everything is explained, you email it over for e-signatures and presto, you're ready to go. Clients love it!” -Kim Zwiener

“My tip is to invest in technological items to make your business life more effective. I love my new LAPTOP STAND!! It allows my laptop to set up higher, it's easier on the eyes, and allows the laptop camera to focus downward for a better visual presentation on Zoom meetings. I also included a wireless keyboard that makes typing so much easier than typing on my laptop! Additionally, I set up a "ZOOM ROOM" in my home, so I am ready for meetings quickly!” -Beverly Taki

“2020 for our industry in rural Northeast Missouri, it was a different beast than I have seen in 31 years in this industry! That beast has shown us the basic principles of real estate stand firm, more firm that ever - Pricing IS a SUPPLY & DEMAND factor. Our demand was beyond expectations.” -Debbie Kendrick

Despite just how hard the COVID-19 pandemic hit our communities, the immediate, unfaltering response from Missouri REALTORS^® is worthy of celebration. As Debbie Kendrick concluded her response, “2020—that year which will not be forgotten, that continues to seep into 2021, while hoping that we have learned that there are new ways to function, new ways to do business and that tomorrow will always be a better day.”

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