Diane Slawych

In the midst of the first COVID-19, the leadership team at Keller Williams Golden Triangle Realty in Kitchener decided to loan each agent up to $2,000. The terms? “Pay this back when you can.”

If Kate Broddick has ever helped you buy or sell your home (and you have the slightest interest in real estate as a career) don’t be surprised if you end up on her team!

The sale of $36 million worth of pre-construction condos in Quebec over a two-day period at the height of the COVID pandemic sounds impressive. But perhaps equally notable is the fact that all the transactions took place virtually.

Ontario-based Hibiscus International has carved out a niche in the area of real estate tourism. Company president Anne Brobyn believes it may be the only business of its kind in North America.

For buyers looking for a change of scenery and warmer weather, Belize and the Turks and Caicos Islands are two potential second home locations for Canadians.

Glenn McQueenie found that 20 per cent of agents were waiting out the pandemic before resuming business, 60 per cent had no idea what to do, while another 20 per cent were “doubling down.”

For a recent listing – a luxury property in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario – broker Gémma Leggett hired actors, a videographer (with a drone) and even secured a luxury car for a cameo role.

Dan Wojcik and Alex Elieff, two sales reps with Century 21 in Barrie, Ont., give new meaning to the word teamwork.

Every industry has been affected by COVID-19 in one way or another. And while the fallout has mostly been negative, one niche business that has experienced a positive impact is that of virtual staging.

When the residential building La Pedrera was constructed on a prominent corner of Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona, it was immediately ridiculed by critics. Today it attracts thousands of people a year.