Katie Witry
Realtor/Owner
Witry Collective
Witry Collective is a real estate firm that combines education, market knowledge and specialized strategies for its clients. The firm’s team of eight closes a property every three days. Each owner is also involved in local nonprofits: Katie Witry is currently the vice chair of the Preservation Resource Center and is also serving a nine-year term as a commissioner with the City Planning Commission.
What is the biggest challenge facing your industry in this new normal and how are you adapting?
One of the biggest challenges we have faced was being able to meet with clients, show them properties and show our listings. There have been many changes in marketing properties, from virtual open houses and cooking demonstrations on site at our listings to 3D virtual tours. Our social media outlets and presence have been a huge factor in keeping our business and our listings in the forefront of people’s minds and our sales have remained very active and productive.
What changes do you see in your industry in the next year?
I think there will continue to be innovations in marketing properties creatively through social media, direct mail and possibly an increase in local print advertising. This past spring, the market was clearly impacted and delayed, which is why we have seen the volume of sales in months that are typically much slower (July and August for example) in our local market. Election years typically see a slowdown in activity, and we anticipate that this trend will carry over to the current election cycle. As interest rates stay low, the market will continue to be active in general, but we do anticipate a slowing trend overall.
