Our Autumn 2020 Property Summary
The reality of where we are is difficult to ignore… while also being difficult to grasp.
The messages from government and media range from ‘it will all be ok’ to ‘it’s all at risk’.
No one seems to have the courage to say that we don’t know what is going to happen next, and that life will be all about managing that type of uncertainty.
But all real recovery leads to better conditions than what led us into crisis… if we can handle the short-term pain.
This one will be no different.
At Homes One we have been surprisingly busy finding homes for our clients.
Here are some reflections on the current state of play;
1. Autumn will be an extraordinary time.
There are currently 9m people on furlough in the UK, a scheme which is scheduled to end in October. Many predict that the corporations will take this opportunity to reshape themselves which will lead to mass unemployment, perhaps breaking all previous records - as a third of the workforce are at risk. Personally, I can’t see this happening because the government will not allow it. It is more likely we will see either some nationalisation of essential services or universal basic income, or perhaps both, rather than a seismic flood of people set adrift with nothing to do. Whatever variation of interventions happens, we are looking at a paradigm shift of unprecedented shape and size, and a winter of adaptation to extreme change… and that’s all without a second wave… or Brexit! This will present some opportunities for our clients.
2. We have to fight for psycho-social integration.
Restaurants, bars and clubs have been the slowest to emerge from restrictions, and ironically they are the places that need it most. Many will never reopen. And this trend mirrors society-wide neuroses regarding social contact in general. Families are reticent to meet, people are anxious about going out, and all the while many others are behaving as if nothing has happened. The importance of psych-social integration is paramount to human beings. It is what gives us an experience of community and culture, which is traditionally, and naturally, what gives us a sense of psychological safety. Music, dancing, storytelling and real conversations support this and are a part of the human experience as far back as we can trace. If they are eroded completely, then whatever the true severity of the virus or economic situation will pail in comparison to the mental health crisis and melodrama that play out around them. We must stay close, nurture our friendships, relationship and networks, and support the communities we live in. I think Zoom has been an incredible resource but I feel people are beginning to yearn for more physical contact and interaction.
3. Recovery is about managing uncertainty… and kindness.
Although the virus has proved more resilient than we expected and more destructive than at first thought, it feels like the UK and Europe are turning a corner - at least for now. Of course we do not know what the winter holds but I personally am optimisitic that a vaccine will be here sooner than was initially predicted. Life will never be the same again - even with a vaccine - but I hope humanity will learn something from all of this even after some kind of normality returns. To care for others, to slow down and to be grateful for what we have.
Those are human qualities that have been noticeable in the midst of the crisis we are going through and hopefully will outlast the virus. There will be a silver lining.
I am grateful to be in the property industry because I believe bricks and mortar offers some of the best security available in these times.
It already looks like a busy few months ahead and I wish you the same.
Love and positive intentions to my whole community.
Karim