From My Desk to Yours March 2020

Early spring’s daffodils are here, and we’ve shed our scarves and gloves, but we find ourselves in uncharted waters during an unprecedented season. A new virus is threatening our lives and our livelihoods as it spreads angst, anxiety and confusion. With an incubation period of 2-14 days according to the CDC, and with symptoms appearing about five days after infection, the novel virus unnerves and unsettles us. Human distancing seems to be the most effective tool against the spread of this contagious disease.

With routines upended and lives interrupted, we are concerned for our families, friends, neighbors, communities and business associates. We worry about those on the front lines as much as for those who don’t have the means to stock a refrigerator or freezer.

It’s not business as usual for anyone. We recognize our collective responsibility to contain the virus. In this first week of self quarantine-in place, we continue to offer dedicated services to support the goals of our buyers, sellers and investors. As we speak, new protocols are being created. We have replaced Open Houses with FaceTime and Skype showings, and suspect that more realistic clients will be engaging with us as they surf the web at home. We conduct walk throughs virtually. We seek alternatives to sit-down closings where managing agents have shut offices. In some instances, funding contingencies will be added to contracts. Buildings have halted renovation projects. As some buyers retreat to the sidelines, others are inquiring about opportunistic offerings. 

If my immigrant father who survived the Holocaust were alive today, he would assure his grandchildren, “This will pass, but be smart.” To that I add, we are in this together, so be kind to yourself and to others. Let’s check in more frequently and especially if you have concerns or questions about your real estate. Kindness is contagious.

Did You Know?

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A clinical trial evaluating a vaccine designed to protect against the new coronavirus will begin Monday, according to a government official. The first participant in the trial will receive the experimental vaccine on Monday, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the trial has not been publicly announced yet. The National Institutes of Health is funding the trial, which is taking place at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle, the official said. Public health officials say it will take a year to 18 months to fully validate any potential vaccine.

At Home Yoga Anyone?

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From my Compass associates, here at two at home offers for yoga.

From Yogasource, www.yogasorce.com, Donna Sorce is offering free online 60 minute yoga sessions Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am PST. Download the app; no password required. https://zoom.us/j/3911211260

From YOGA INSTRUCTION AT HOME here’s a discounted introductory rate with 6-months of free membership at Udaya. 


Stay healthy please.  This will pass, but be smart and be kind.

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Shirley Hackel, NYRS®

shirley.hackel@compass.com | (914) 980-0371