Pandemia COVID-19 a rynek nieruchomości w Polsce

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and the real estate market in Poland. Purpose: The aim of the article is to answer the following research questions in the context of strong factors, both external (COVID-19 pandemic) and internal (restrictions): 1) What is the current professional situation of people associated with the real estate market? 2) What is the general situation on the real estate market? 3) What are the prospects regarding the professional situation and the market itself? Design/methodology/approach: The author has used the diagnostic survey method and the survey technique (electronic questionnaire) in the study. The research was carried out in the second quarter of 2020 (i.e. in the period of the strictest restrictions) on a sample of 247 people representing mainly the professions of a real estate agent, property appraiser and real estate manager. Findings: Pandemic restrictions, including in particular the restrictions on the functioning of selected aspects of the economic sphere (lockdown), drastically worsened the professional situation of people associated with the real estate market and had a negative impact on the overall economic situation. A shock occurred, above all, on the demand side of the market, disrupting the functioning of entities dealing with the professional service of the market, including primarily people working in the profession of a real estate agent and a real estate sales specialist in real estate development companies. A common feature of the professions in question is the work model based on direct contact with clients. In this case, remote work turned out to be possible only to a limited extent. The overall assessment of the situation on local real estate markets and their individual segments was utterly negative. Originality and value: The first weeks of the pandemic were characterised by very high dynamics and frequency of changes, which caused chaos and disrupted the functioning of entities operating on the real estate market. It was considered crucial to obtain the opinions of the people directly involved in and creating this market. The conducted research was one of the first in Poland which comprehensively allowed for a preliminary assessment of changes on the selected market.