The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on every aspect of our lives, including the real estate market. The pandemic has forced the real estate industry to adapt to new challenges, such as social distancing measures and remote work, which has had a significant impact on the way people buy and sell homes. The article discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the real estate market in Campbelltown, and how propertypeople in the area had to adapt to new challenges presented by the pandemic.
Campbelltown is a suburban city in the southwestern region of Sydney, Australia. It is a growing area with a population of over 170,000 people. The real estate market in Campbelltown has traditionally been steady, with a mix of established and new developments, and a range of prices to suit different budgets.
The early months of 2020 saw the real estate market in Campbelltown starts strong. However, when COVID-19 hit Australia in March 2020, the market started to slow down. The initial impact was seen in a drop in property viewings, as buyers were hesitant to attend open homes due to concerns over the virus.
Another impact was the suspension of on-site auctions, which are a popular method of selling property in Campbelltown. The government banned public auctions in late March 2020, in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus. This meant that auctions were forced online, which presented a new challenge for both buyers and sellers.
In addition, there was an increase in the number of properties being withdrawn from the market, as sellers were reluctant to list their properties during a time of uncertainty. This caused a decrease in the number of properties for sale in Campbelltown.
The COVID-19 pandemic also affected the rental market in Campbelltown. The state government implemented a moratorium on evictions in March 2020, which meant that tenants who were struggling financially due to COVID-19 were protected from eviction. This had an impact on the rental market, as landlords were unable to evict tenants who were not paying rent.
However, the real estate market in Campbelltown showed resilience, as it adapted to the challenges presented by COVID-19. Real estate agents quickly pivoted to online platforms, such as virtual property tours and video conferencing, to showcase properties to buyers.
The ban on public auctions was lifted in May 2020, but auctions still had to be conducted in compliance with social distancing regulations. This meant that auctions were conducted either online or in smaller groups, with attendees required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
The real estate industry in Campbelltown also saw a shift towards private treaty sales, where properties are sold privately without an auction. This was seen as a safer option for buyers and sellers, as it allowed them to negotiate and finalize the sale of the property without the need for a public auction.
One of the more significant impacts of COVID-19 on the real estate market in Campbelltown was the shift toward remote work. As more and more people were forced to work from home, there was an increased demand for properties with home office spaces and larger outdoor areas. This demand led to an increase in the prices of properties that met these criteria.
The COVID-19 pandemic also had a positive impact on the construction industry in Campbelltown. The government announced a HomeBuilder scheme in June 2020, which provided a $25,000 grant to eligible homebuyers who were building a new home or renovating an existing one. This incentive led to an increase in the number of construction projects in Campbelltown, which boosted the local economy and created jobs.
