Nationwide auctioneering firm O’Donnellan & Joyce, based in Mary Street, Galway, is working hard to keep business going during this pandemic. The company has decided to close its physical office and migrate operations to the safety of the cloud with staff working from home over a networked system. The company is still largely operational, however due to the current restrictions on travel and movement of people, physical property viewings have been temporarily suspended.
Social distancing requirements have changed the way those in the property industry conduct their business, and there has been a large turn towards technology with O’Donnellan & Joyce now offering virtual tours on many of its current property listings. Senior auctioneer and company director Colm O’Donnellan said: “Our virtual viewing tours come with voice over commentary that gives a vivid description of the property combined with the all of the attributes for each location.”
According to the company this will give people the opportunity to view what O’Donnellan & Joyce has to offer without leaving the comfort of their own homes - the virtual viewings allow you to remotely carry out viewings and guarantees the safety of customers and staff.
The Covid-19 restrictions and confinement of many people to their own homes given them the opportunity to look at the suitability of their residence. With growing families and no certainty as to when this pandemic will come under control, many are looking for more space and larger gardens so that children and teenagers have space to play and exercise. Many parents would also see the benefits of more outdoor space as it will allow them to get much needed fresh air and sunshine during prolonged periods of working from home. Given the lack of available amenities, with many parks and playgrounds closed, as well as Salthill Promenade, many are looking for alternative means of passing the time with increasing numbers turning to vegetable gardening and landscaping among the many home improvements taking place during the current good weather.
Families with adult children and empty nesters may even consider downsizing in the future when the virus has passed, and for others this presents an ideal opportunity to complete the purchase of a new family home which would offer more space. Typically many families with young children prefer rural settings with ample outdoor living space, while those who are currently cocooning often prefer an urban retreat with smaller gardens, located close to churches, shops, and recreational facilities.
With so many people confined to their homes for the most part, spending on activities and luxuries has been curtailed given the closure of many businesses and service providers. This gives individuals an unrealised head start in their savings for a home improvement or the purchase of a new home.
While some sales fall through due to uncertainties and loss of employment, O’Donnellan & Joyce reports that many sales are still being agreed and closed, and this quiet time for many presents an opportunity to get their homes valued free of charge. O’Donnellan & Joyce offers free ‘thinking of selling’ valuations, and as the agents are still on hand to answer inquiries, now is an ideal time to make contact with O’Donnellan & Joyce for advice on the various methods of sale. Given a formal face-to-face consultation cannot take place currently, the O’Donnellan & Joyce staff have been equipped with the means of carrying out video call consultations in place of the traditional meet and greet.
If you wish to have your house valued free of charge, email O’Donnellan & Joyce at [email protected] or call 091 564 212. Include your Eircode and a brief description of the property. Once received, a member of the ODJ team will revert to you with an indicative value.
While the O’Donnellan & Joyce office remains closed, all staff are available to contact directly and clients can rest assured that the agents are working hard in their best interests. The office phone lines are being answered and all email inquiries will be responded to.
Agents can be contacted directly as follows:
Contact Colm O’Donnellan at [email protected] or call 087 288 7446.
Contact Tony Joyce at [email protected] or call 086 252 9110.
Contact Hugh O’Donnellan at [email protected] or call 087 768 7894.
Contact Niall Browne at [email protected] or call 086 600 9523.
Contact Shane McDonagh at [email protected] or call 087 607 8087.
Contact Mary Fahy at [email protected] or call 087 996 9831.
The accounts team of Miriam Keane and Aine Kerin can be reached at [email protected], and Aaron O’Reilly in marketing can be reached at [email protected]. The property management team are available at 087 665 8119 or [email protected].
O’Donnellan & Joyce thanks all front line workers who have put their lives at risk to protect others during these troubling times. The O’Donnellan & Joyce team are thankful for all that has been done by healthcare workers, medics, contact tracing staff, and an Garda Síochána. While the company continues to operate remotely, the agents will not hold physical viewings and urge the public to observe the social distancing and travel restrictions that are in place.
