From the beginning, the COVID-19 pandemic has defied almost every economic prediction. In March 2020, stores, restaurants and offices emptied out with astonishing swiftness. The stock market tanked and jobs quickly disappeared. But what many around the world feared would be a long and devastating economic downturn didn’t happen. The economy—along with the real estate sector—bounced back in record time. Output’s already above pre-COVID-19 levels and jobs could recover to previous levels by early 2022.

To many, the property sector may look remarkably the same as it was before the pandemic. It isn’t. Some markets and sectors may have changed forever. Some buildings and other assets are obsolete, and property managers now have to imagine how they can be repurposed. Other economic hurdles include supply chain bottlenecks that slow or halt production. Labor and product shortages also bring fears of inflation, a major economic risk.

What to expect now? The virus will have a major say in that. In spring 2021, the Delta variant took hold and COVID-19 infections spiked. Many jettisoned travel plans and hesitated to eat inside a restaurant or go to a movie unmasked. Employers delayed return-to-office plans. One certainty: Companies must build flexibility and the capacity to adapt quickly to market changes.