It’s hard to believe that it’s the middle of 2022. For more than two years, the world has been dealing with COVID. We were at our home in Islamorada when it struck. Immediately, we got tested and were thrilled to be negative. In the Keys, life happens mostly outdoors, so we felt fairly safe. Everyone gladly wore masks indoors and in public places, even in Florida.
We got vaccinated as soon as possible; then, we hightailed it back to Delaware in late March 2020. We owned a real estate brokerage, Active Adults Realty, in Delaware, and no one knew the impact COVID would have on our business. All our agents and staff were nervous.
I remember the drive from Islamorada to Lewes. We drove straight through, stopping only at drive-through fast-food restaurants or Rest Areas. I rarely eat fast food, but Burger King’s Impossible Burger saved me from starvation that trip.
Business came to a screeching halt
Our business prospered in 2021, much to our surprise. Since most of our clients were nearing retirement, the ability to work remotely allowed many to accelerate their plans. Why wait until retirement to relocate if that is what they were planning. Why not relocate now, especially since Delaware was such a convenient location. The distance from Delaware to about 1/3 of the U.S. population is just a 2-hour drive. See https://www.livelovedelaware.com/live-in-delaware/delawares-central-location/
No other retirement location offers this combination of beach resorts and a central location close to home, with favorable taxes and cost of living.
Businesses adjusted as 2021 dawned, and the housing industry continued to boom. Restaurants that had added outdoor dining survived. Food trucks popped up everywhere. Bill and I continued to play it safe, despite being vaxed and then boosted as soon as available. During the winter, in Islamorada, we lived mostly outdoors, playing pickleball with the same group of friends. We Zoomed our staff meetings and client consultations.
At first, all business came to a screeching halt. Most of our buyer clients came from out of state; Delaware prohibited non-essential travelers. Luckily, we had such a large backlog of booked business that our 1st Quarter of 2020 was one of our best. We found ways to continue to help our clients, using Zoom, Facetime, and all the technology tools available. Our agents did Virtual Walk-throughs of homes for sale and coordinated construction meetings with the Builders. It was challenging for our clients to purchase homes without being there in person, but we made it work.
Active Adults Realty changed hands
In 2021, we found the perfect buyers for our real estate brokerage, Bill and Christine Davis, and we went to settlement in April. We worked with them through the summer of 2021, passing the baton and returning to Islamorada in September. Instinctively, I knew that relocating made the most sense after selling the business. How could I live down the street and not want to “help”? Active Adults Realty was my baby, not just another real estate brokerage, and it was time to let Bill and Christine make it theirs.
It is now May of 2022, more than a year since we sold the business, and I can report that the new owners have done just that – made Active Adults Realty theirs. I could not be prouder if they were my children; Christine, at least; Bill is too old! Just joking, Bill, you have both been terrific.
But, back to COVID
Just ten days ago, we finally caught COVID! How? Where? It’s hard to say. It didn’t happen when we spent time at two weddings last month. No one was wearing masks at either wedding. When we spent four days at Disney World with the pre-Easter crowds, it didn’t happen. Where was I infected? I tested positive two days before Bill did, so I probably got it first. Was it grocery shopping? Did I catch it at my Wednesday night art class or lunch with my yoga buddies on Thursday? No one else reported being sick. I can’t imagine I caught it playing pickleball outdoors, but I’ve even stayed away from that since then.
Eventually, my doctor said we would all get it, but at least it’s been a very mild case. No loss of taste, no fever, and no headache. Just a cold and minor congestion that lasted about a week. As someone in the “over a certain age group,” it could have been worse! Nothing scary and no trips to the hospital. So, if you haven’t had it yet, don’t count your chickens and get boosted!
Now, back to my retirement stories!
It really is good to hear your symptoms were comparatively mild. Your doc may be correct. Eventually we may all get the virus.