The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on many different industries, with real estate among the latest industries that have been impacted.
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Our local real estate agents are adapting to operate within the guidelines announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison last Tuesday night and you should give them a call or go onto their websites to find out more.
Auction houses were ordered to close, while open homes and public auctions are banned.
Although they have begun changing the way they operate, for Michael Robinson and Co Real Estate it's "business as usual".
The local agency is operating and staff will still be working, following health precautions as guided and possibly looking at hosting online auctions, Michael Robinson says.
Mr Robinson admits there will be an effect on the market, but believes the current low interest rates should have a cushioning effect.
For Ray White Forbes' Brendon Allegri and LJ Hooker Forbes' Ian Simpson, it is business as usual so far despite the ban on public auctions.
To ensure health and safety LJ Hooker have split their staff into two teams, one working from home and one from their offices.
Along with this, Mr Simpson said, they are moving to provide auctions online on a platform called Auction Now.
Mr Simpson said it is good to have technology in place to support their clients and customers in what is a stressful time.
Ray White is another of our local agencies moving their auctions to an online platform.
Mr Allegri said the online auction will be a little different for them, as well as for buyers and vendors locally.
Century 21's Tara Kelly believes real estate agencies are adapting to change really fast - and that they are one of the luckier industries who are able to do that.
Ms Kelly said she would be shifting to increased private treaty sales and one-on-one meetings.
With everyone adapting due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ms Kelly said this is the time to communicate with people the most.
Are you open for business?
At the Forbes Advocate we want to do our bit to support our local community by spreading the word about how customers can continue to connect with local businesses.
If you're open for business, go online to forbesadvocate.com.au and let us know.
There's a form in the story, "Let us know you're Open for Business", where you can update us on how you're operating within this changing environment.
We all want to keep local people in jobs.