How has COVID change the real estate market?

Den, short version: the COVID protocols are gone, and the two things that outlasted the pandemic are pricing discipline and showing security. Your question is a few years old now, so let me answer the 2026 version of it. Masks and open houses. No, you are not asking anyone to mask in 2026, and open houses run normally again. That chapter closed. Can you still list high. Honestly, no, not the way you could in 2021 and 2022. That market, where you named a number and got it, is over. Freddie Mac had the 30 year fixed averaging 6.65 percent for the week of August 20, 2026, so buyers are shopping a monthly payment now, not a price. Overpricing gets punished fast. A listing that sits goes stale, and a stale listing negotiates from weakness. Price it right, create competition, and let the market bid it up. That is the discipline that survived COVID. Now the part of your question that was never really about COVID: strangers in your home. That concern is legitimate, it is permanent, and I take it seriously with every seller I list. Here is what actually works, and what I do in Los Angeles, the South Bay and on the Palos Verdes Peninsula: Require scheduled appointments with verified agents. No walk-ins. Require that buyers be accompanied by their own agent, every time. Before any showing, lock up medications and prescriptions, mail and documents, spare keys, small electronics, jewelry, and anything with account numbers on it. Prescriptions are the number one thing that walks. Turn off or reposition interior cameras. If you keep them recording, disclose that recording is happening, because several states require consent and a listing is not the place to test that question. Consider skipping the open house entirely and running scheduled private showings instead. Since August 2024 a buyer has to sign a written representation agreement with their agent before touring a home, so the people walking through are more vetted than they were when you asked this. My name is Zoltan Peresztegi. I am not licensed in Texas, but if you want an introduction to a strong agent in the Fredericksburg area who will take the security piece as seriously as the price, message me and I will connect you. Zoltan

Super low inventory in many markets even in 2026. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the real estate market globally. One of the most significant changes has been the shift in preferences for residential properties. With work from home becoming the new norm, people are now looking for larger homes with dedicated office space and outdoor areas. This has led to a surge in demand for single-family homes, townhouses, and suburban properties. Conversely, there has been a decline in demand for apartments in urban areas, especially in dense cities. Another significant impact of COVID-19 on the real estate market has been the acceleration of digitalization. Real estate agents have had to adopt new technologies to market and sell properties virtually. Online property tours, virtual staging, and video calls have become increasingly popular. Additionally, many buyers and sellers have become more comfortable with online transactions, leading to a surge in digital closings. The pandemic has also caused a shift in the commercial real estate sector. With remote work becoming more prevalent, many companies are reconsidering their office space requirements, resulting in a decline in demand for commercial real estate in some areas. However, there has been an increase in demand for industrial properties, driven by the growth of e-commerce. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the real estate market, and it is likely that many of these changes will persist even after the pandemic ends.

COVID has had a huge effect on the real estate market. It has made it more difficult for buyers and sellers to conduct business in person, reducing open houses, viewings, and inspections, resulting in fewer transactions taking place. Low inventory levels, historically low interest rates, and increased demand from buyers are all driving up home prices. Other effects of the pandemic include longer closing times, delays in appraisals, and an increase in virtual buying and selling processes.

Prices have leveled out a bit. Sellers are still getting over asking when priced right. You can do an open house if you feel comfortable doing one. I know it is a little unsettling to have strangers through your house but it should not take long to sell your home in this market if it is priced right. If you need help looking for a Real Estate agent let me know. 414-840-0120