Since the pandemic began real estate's have had to change the way they run property auctions, hosting them on virtual platforms.

Richard Rossiter from LJ Hooker explained that the concept of online auctions has existed for years, however the pandemic really forced agents to make the switch.

He estimates that around two to three per cent of properties on the market in Wagga go to auction, and that a hybrid version of virtual auctions - with both online and in-person elements - may become more common once restrictions ease.

Harry Mangelsdorf from PRD said they launched their first online auction this week, and with the company embracing virtual tools throughout the pandemic, they've "seen people buying from afar, and that's the joy of technology".

"People [are still] feeling confident making offers based on seeing it virtually," he added.

Mr Mangelsdorf said that their operations will get back to a bit more normalcy once lockdown lifts, but virtual options are likely to remain in some capacity.

"[We're] out of lockdown, but not out of the woods yet," he said.

Mathew Longmore at Raine and Horne also predicts that some virtual tools will remain in place even as the state begins to leave lockdown.

"I think every business, whether it's real estate or just any business, will be done differently to how it was done prior to this pandemic," he said.

Like the other real estate agents in Wagga, he hasn't seen "any real adjustment or slow down in the market" during the recent lockdown period.

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Mr Rossiter at LJ Hooker agreed.

"The market continues to be red-hot and the volume of sales really hasn't changed during the lockdown," he said.

"You might now see people moving back to some auctions."

Sean Lowry from Fitzpatrick's saw a slight decrease in demand for higher-priced properties during the first two weeks of lockdown, but said properties around the $450k mark remained steady.

He said that locals have been fantastic during lockdown, whether it be landlords, renters or buyers, in cooperating with all the new restrictions in place.

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