Liz Brent at her home in Silver Spring.
What is your profession/involvement in the community?
Founder and principal broker at Go Brent, and found of Silver Spring Cares.
How has your life changed since the community has been impacted by Coronavirus?
I’ve had to retool almost every facet of my business to meet the demands of social distancing, so I’ve been doing a lot of macro thinking -- what works, what needs to improve. I’ve also been spending a lot of time working with our Foundation, Silver Spring Cares, to respond to the needs of our neighbors who have been so immediately and profoundly affected by the shelter in place orders. Of course the housing market has hit a bit of a “pause." In our area, there are many fewer sellers and also fewer buyers, although we are still seeing multiple-offer scenarios!
Are you working more or less?
Spring is the busiest season in real estate, so you’d think I’m working less given the lockdown but actually, I’ve been just as busy as I would ordinarily be. I’m just focused on the longer term health of my business and my community.
What are you most afraid of?
Of course, I worry about the health of my family, friends and neighbors. This virus isn’t just going away. In fact, the CDC is raising the spectre of an even more deadly wave during the coming flu season. Will our federal, state and local governments be prepared?
I worry for the more vulnerable people in our community -- are they able to access the resources they need in terms of day to day necessities? In terms of their health? How will they make ends meet in the short term? How long will it take them to resume anything like a normal life?
What are you most hopeful for?
I’m a firm believer in human compassion and ingenuity. I think a lot of good is going to come out of this crisis. Our society will see fundamental transformations take place, maybe in healthcare, education, the workplace. Businesses will fundamentally change the way they do business, and governments will shift as society shifts.
What has been the most challenging part of this experience for you?
I think it’s the uncertainty. I’m a planner, so not knowing how long this crisis is going to last, when it might resurface, it’s a daily challenge. That said, I’m also a responder, a doer, a jumper-inner, so keeping productive has not been a problem!
Is there anything – even a tiny thing – you enjoy or like about sheltering in place?
Ohhh, let me count the ways! I am an introvert, believe it or not, so there’s plenty to keep me happy in my 1953 Silver Spring rambler. I’ve set up a home office in the guest room, I’m shooting videos in my living room… and walking more with my dog Tess!
What do you think society as a whole will learn from this experience?
I think this crisis has laid bare some of the most fundamental problems in our society. Income inequality, the fractured healthcare system, the lack of a real social safety net, the lack of educational opportunity for all.
As I said before - I’m hopeful that this crisis will change things in fundamental ways. It won’t change everything, and it won’t happen fast, but change is going to happen.
How are you coping with stress/taking care of yourself?
I’ve really gotten better over the years not worrying about things I don’t have any control over, so that helps. I don’t have small kids to entertain, so really, I have nothing to complain about. But the basics, getting to bed early, keeping a regular schedule, eating well, exercising. And Netflix!
What would you like your friends and neighbors in Silver Spring/Montgomery County to know?
That Go Brent is here for you -- if you have questions about financial concerns like mortgage forbearance, if you’re spending all of this time indoors wondering what improvements you might make that would provide the biggest bang for the buck. If you or someone you know needs a helping hand from Silver Spring Cares. We’re here. Give us a shout.
Founder and principal broker at Go Brent, and found of Silver Spring Cares.
How has your life changed since the community has been impacted by Coronavirus?
I’ve had to retool almost every facet of my business to meet the demands of social distancing, so I’ve been doing a lot of macro thinking -- what works, what needs to improve. I’ve also been spending a lot of time working with our Foundation, Silver Spring Cares, to respond to the needs of our neighbors who have been so immediately and profoundly affected by the shelter in place orders. Of course the housing market has hit a bit of a “pause." In our area, there are many fewer sellers and also fewer buyers, although we are still seeing multiple-offer scenarios!
Are you working more or less?
Spring is the busiest season in real estate, so you’d think I’m working less given the lockdown but actually, I’ve been just as busy as I would ordinarily be. I’m just focused on the longer term health of my business and my community.
What are you most afraid of?
Of course, I worry about the health of my family, friends and neighbors. This virus isn’t just going away. In fact, the CDC is raising the spectre of an even more deadly wave during the coming flu season. Will our federal, state and local governments be prepared?
I worry for the more vulnerable people in our community -- are they able to access the resources they need in terms of day to day necessities? In terms of their health? How will they make ends meet in the short term? How long will it take them to resume anything like a normal life?
What are you most hopeful for?
I’m a firm believer in human compassion and ingenuity. I think a lot of good is going to come out of this crisis. Our society will see fundamental transformations take place, maybe in healthcare, education, the workplace. Businesses will fundamentally change the way they do business, and governments will shift as society shifts.
What has been the most challenging part of this experience for you?
I think it’s the uncertainty. I’m a planner, so not knowing how long this crisis is going to last, when it might resurface, it’s a daily challenge. That said, I’m also a responder, a doer, a jumper-inner, so keeping productive has not been a problem!
Is there anything – even a tiny thing – you enjoy or like about sheltering in place?
Ohhh, let me count the ways! I am an introvert, believe it or not, so there’s plenty to keep me happy in my 1953 Silver Spring rambler. I’ve set up a home office in the guest room, I’m shooting videos in my living room… and walking more with my dog Tess!
What do you think society as a whole will learn from this experience?
I think this crisis has laid bare some of the most fundamental problems in our society. Income inequality, the fractured healthcare system, the lack of a real social safety net, the lack of educational opportunity for all.
As I said before - I’m hopeful that this crisis will change things in fundamental ways. It won’t change everything, and it won’t happen fast, but change is going to happen.
How are you coping with stress/taking care of yourself?
I’ve really gotten better over the years not worrying about things I don’t have any control over, so that helps. I don’t have small kids to entertain, so really, I have nothing to complain about. But the basics, getting to bed early, keeping a regular schedule, eating well, exercising. And Netflix!
What would you like your friends and neighbors in Silver Spring/Montgomery County to know?
That Go Brent is here for you -- if you have questions about financial concerns like mortgage forbearance, if you’re spending all of this time indoors wondering what improvements you might make that would provide the biggest bang for the buck. If you or someone you know needs a helping hand from Silver Spring Cares. We’re here. Give us a shout.
Interview conducted April 23, 2020.
Want more? Check out our archives:
David Fogel, Bump 'n Grind
Dr. Lilly Walker Shelton
Warren "Buck" Buckingham III
Linda Perlman Tabach
Dan Reed, Just up the Pike
David "Moe" Nelson, NOAA, King Teddy
Mike Diegel, Source of the Spring
Lene Tsegaye, Kefa Cafe
Want more? Check out our archives:
David Fogel, Bump 'n Grind
Dr. Lilly Walker Shelton
Warren "Buck" Buckingham III
Linda Perlman Tabach
Dan Reed, Just up the Pike
David "Moe" Nelson, NOAA, King Teddy
Mike Diegel, Source of the Spring
Lene Tsegaye, Kefa Cafe
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