By Kingsley U.N. Chikwendu
2020 is a year that we cannot forget quickly, it was a year that plans and expectations were unexpectedly dashed in its first quarter. It came with an enforced lockdown that grounded the whole world to a still and lasted for months, disrupting economic and daily activities which affected most families. These are families that probably could not boast of savings, they solely depended on what they earn daily.
Despite the fact that economic activities partially resumed after some months, it will be hard trying to dispute the fact that global economies have not really recovered from what led to the disruption of global activities – the Covid-19 pandemic. The world looks to be recovering at the latter part of 2020 and hoping to storm into 2021 with some zeal to make up for lost time.
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However, as we seem ready to stamp our feet into the beginning of 2021, we should not forget some of the difficult months faced in 2020 and without taking a critical look at how the coronavirus pandemic impacted the housing market. We should understand that for every difficult situation faced, at least, there are one or more positives that one can pick out and exploit, same applies to what positives were drawn as the pandemic lasted. Some housing innovations that have become the new normal today, hopefully, will pave a way for 2021 and subsequent years.
How did this pandemic lead us into the new normal with some positives for the housing sector? In a number of ways, it gave us a nudge towards trying new processes and technologies that maybe, were still some years away.
Many work from home already
Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, running businesses remotely was something many had thought is unthinkable for one that aspires to make it big. But, the effects of the pandemic have brought a massive change in real estate, especially in major cities in the country.
With businesses realizing they no longer need a large physical beautiful space in the city for their business to function, the demand for these places [buildings] may experience some lows as many business owners may be looking to cut costs to cover up for lost finances.
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Businesses that feel they need physical spaces are going to stick with small offices and as the call for social distancing keeps getting louder, many staff will be asked to work from home. Therefore, when the need for office buildings drop, certainly, the demand for them does as well.
Improved Sense to Keeping Neat Environments and Good Hygiene
The pandemic forced the need for social distance that led to non-contact greeting. Many are now aware of how important it is to maintain a good hygiene and neat environment. As human species, one of the things that drive many is the ability and urge to connect with fellow beings, the pandemic and its aftermath cannot change that but, these recent times have made us understand how important it is to connect more hygienically, even in housing businesses.
General lifestyles have changed for good, sanitizing of hands almost immediately after having contact with anybody or thing is now normal. We must always remember to cover our mouths when we cough, we flee whenever we see someone coughing or sneezing, probably because we know what will happen if we do not.
What does it mean for the 2021 housing market?
Already, there has been rumored talks of another lockdown in the country. So, will 2021 be a continuation of 2020? Is the lockdown post pandemic life now the new normal? Or is there going to be a time we can revert back to living life prior to the outbreak of Covid-19? It may not be certain
However, one thing may be sure which is the forced increased use and implementation of technology that has reduced file processes may have come to stay and probably, may now be a new or ways to carrying out business activities.
