The global pandemic has changed all of our lives, how we work, how we live and where we live.
COVID-19 has sped up the transition from traditional office-bound jobs to the majority of people working from home and virtually.
Technology has allowed us to work remotely and this process has created a few silver linings within the difficult era of a pandemic. People have been given greater freedom to live where they want, based on the lifestyle that suits them, and all the while reducing their carbon footprint.
The Agency’s Thirroul team, led by agents Peter Armstrong and David Hyslop, and supported by highly experienced Illawarra agent Jennifer McCormack, will be closing the doors to its Thirroul office in order to work from home, within the community and periodically from The Agency’s Wollongong hub.
“Just like most of our clients, we are able to work from home using The Agency’s cloud-based operating systems, and in turn, we can support our community by holding meetings and other gatherings in local cafes, restaurants and various local hotspots,” David Hyslop explains.
“This is the way of the future and the best part is we can reduce our carbon footprint. The Thirroul community is very environmentally conscious, and as locals, so are Peter and I.”
Peter Armstrong has seen an overwhelming increase in Sydney-based buyers looking to purchase in the Thirroul area. Once upon a time the primary interest came from Campbelltown, Camden and the Sutherland Shire, but the advent of Covid-19 has seen buyers come from across Sydney, including the Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and Lower North Shore.
“There has been a huge influx of Sydney buyers into the Thirroul area, it has always been high, at around 65 to 70 per cent, but since Covid-19, I would say 90 per cent of buyers are coming from Sydney,” Peter Armstrong says. “In Thirroul, the beaches did not close, our lifestyles were in no way affected like those living in the high-density areas of Sydney. And now that people don’t have to be in the city to work, and can just commute a couple of days a week, there is nothing holding them back from moving.
“In fact, demand is so high we constantly have Sydney buyers reaching out wanting to know ahead of time any listings that will be coming on the market.”
David Hyslop has also witnessed the Thirroul market, and overall Illawarra market, being spurred on by the impact of Covid-19.
“The northern suburbs have long been a popular destination for Sydney buyers, and now with their searches being conducted further south, to include Wolllongong and all its surrounds,” David Hyslop says.
When you consider the importance of the Sydney and Wollongong-based buyer networks, the transition of the Thirroul team to the Wollongong hub part-time, is particularly fortuitous.
“The Wollongong office is an amazing space and it has great team energy, for me that extra connection to our Wollongong database is key and also having access to award-winning auctioneer Damien Cooley each week to call our auctions is invaluable,” David Hyslop shares.
Cooley Auctions, led by Damien Cooley, partnered with The Agency in July this year and each week Damien Cooley personally travels to The Agency’s Wollongong office to call Illawarra-based auctions.
“Damien Cooley is a fantastic asset, having him call our auctions is a very attractive proposition for all our clients,” Peter Armstrong says. “The Agency difference is created by the fact we are a non-franchise model, this means all our operations, from across Illawarra to Sydney and beyond, are closely connected. This greatly benefits our vendors and buyers giving them access to a far-reaching network.”
The entire Thirroul team, including Maddison Teeling, David Hyslop, Peter Armstrong, Jennifer McCormack and Joe Abboud, will all be combining work from home with time at The Agency’s impressive Wollongong hub.
“The support of our entire network is key and has played an important role in a number of Covid-19 led trends, including an increase in off-market sales that creates greater reliance on our company databases,” Peter Armstrong explains.
“It is very interesting to watch the changing demographic of the area with more and more young professionals and young families moving into Thirroul. Both David and I have young children in local schools and live locally, and so we can personally vouch for the amazing lifestyle Thirroul offers.”
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