Letter from the editor

THIS weekend marks two years since we were thrown into hard lockdown.

Estate agents could not work, the construction industry was forced to down tools, no one was allowed to relocate, non-paying tenants could not be kicked out and the property industry came to a complete halt.

The past two years have not been kind. Some estate agencies shut down, unable to survive months of hard lockdown. Many agents earned zero for months with the Deeds Offices closed and no sales possible. Developers pulled their hair out as projects languished. No-work, no-pay for construction workers meant for many there was no food on the table.

People moved in with family, unable to afford rent or bonds.

Many either lost their income or had their salaries slashed so deeply they could no longer afford their lifestyles. Covid debt is still a reality today for many of us.

People we loved got ill, many died, often away from loved ones.

There is no doubt the pandemic and anti-pandemic strategies changed our lives.

We have come through a hellish time.

And yet, there were many rays of light and creativity along the way. Estate agents fought a heavy battle to get their doors reopened, and they did reopen, a new property body was formed in the time, new laws have been passed that offer more protection to buyers and sellers, low interest rates gave an injection to the industry and the property world is ticking again.

In spite of the interest rate increases, property remains a good asset.

Two years ago, the industry was dead, today it is welcoming new home buyers.

The fact that we have a first-time home buyers feature on the two-year anniversary of hard lockdown is a ray of hope in a once barren landscape and testimony to all of our resilience.

Take care, always.

Warm regards Vivian Warby

vivian.warby@inl.co.za