How This Home Sold in 5 Days During the COVID-19 Lockdown
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
When the market froze and buyers disappeared, this home still sold in just 5 days – here’s how the strategy made it happen.
When the phone rang a couple of weeks into the COVID-19 lockdown in Ontario, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical situation.
Rod and Blythe had already purchased their next home before the shutdown. Like many at the time, they assumed selling their current home would be straightforward. Then everything changed.
Ontario shut down in mid-March. The real estate market slowed dramatically. At one point, only 7 homes sold in Ajax in an entire week. Buyers disappeared, uncertainty took over, and timing suddenly became critical.
The challenge? Their purchase was closing in just one month.
This is where experience matters.
Having navigated major market shifts before, including the recession of the mid 90's, the 2008 financial crisis, the 2017 Ontario market correction, and the aftermath of 9/11, I knew that adapting quickly would be key.
Together with my team, we pivoted.
We adjusted pricing strategies to reflect real-time market conditions. We implemented new showing protocols to ensure safety without sacrificing exposure. We sourced masks, gloves, and sanitizer at a time when they were hard to find. And we embraced virtual tools like Zoom to stay connected with clients while maintaining social distancing.
Every decision was made with one goal in mind – get the home sold, safely and successfully, within a tight timeline.
The result?
A successful sale in one of the most uncertain markets we’ve ever seen.
And as you’ll read below, a very happy client.
The Home
Property Highlights
- Detached sidesplit with a versatile multi-level layout
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Bright, open-concept living and dining areas
- Renovated kitchen with modern finishes
- Hardwood flooring throughout main living spaces
- Heated sunroom addition with walkout to yard
- Finished basement with above-grade windows
- Private backyard featuring an inground pool and interlock patio
- Built-in garage with ample driveway parking
- Close to the lake, parks, schools, and everyday amenities
Client Testimonial
My name is Rod, and I have been a resident of South Ajax for over twenty years.
Like most homeowners, we watch what’s happening around us. When a home goes up for sale, we wonder how it compares to ours, what updates have been done, and most importantly, what it’s listed for.
Another thing we notice is who the home is listed with. The name Brian Kondo from RE/MAX was everywhere. For over twenty years, I had seen his “For Sale” signs, which felt like a strong indicator of someone who knows the market inside and out.
Choosing Brian was easy. From our very first conversation, he impressed me right away. He said, “Oh, you have a Glenwood!” I didn’t even know that was the model name of my home. That told me everything I needed to know. He understood my property and my neighbourhood as well as I did.
He provided a detailed breakdown of comparable homes, market timing, and the strengths and challenges of the area. I was genuinely blown away by the depth of his knowledge.
Then I gave him what felt like an impossible task – selling our home in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brian stepped up immediately. Within days, he had a clear plan in place. Two days later, there was a “Coming Soon” sign on our lawn.
He walked through the home with me and pointed out things buyers would notice that I had overlooked after living there for so long. Some of it was tough to hear, but all of it was valuable advice.
Long story short, Brian and his team, backed by over 30 years of experience and a strong network, sold our home in just 5 days for 102% of the asking price.
All of this during a lockdown.
That’s incredibly impressive.
Thank you to Brian and the entire team for making what could have been a stressful situation feel smooth and manageable from start to finish.
– Rod
Selling in a changing market like the one we're in now comes with challenges and risks? Strategy matters more than ever.
• Timing and pricing can make or break your result
• The right strategy can create demand even in slower markets
• Experience helps you navigate uncertainty with confidence
[Let’s Talk About Your Home]
Every market presents opportunities – the key is knowing how to position your home to take advantage of them.
Thanks For Reading Today’s Blog!
Brian Kondo
Sales Representative / Team Leader
The Brian Kondo Real Estate Team
Re/Max Hallmark First Group Realty Ltd.
905-683-7800 office
905-426-7484 direct
brian@briankondo.com
www.BrianKondo.com
www.BrianKondoTeam.com
If you or anyone you know is considering making a move in the next little while, give me a call or pass on my number ... 905-683-7800 (Office) or 905-426-7484 (Direct).
If you would like to see any of my previous blog posts, please click here!
