Open House Guidance During COVID-19
NAR’s goal is to keep members informed about the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the real estate industry, and to provide guidance on the many difficult decisions members are tackling on a daily basis. Consider how you may continue providing first-class services to clients, while also exemplifying REALTORS® as community leaders by demonstrating care for the health and well-being of clients, colleagues and the greater public welfare in reducing the risk of exposure to, and spread of, COVID-19.
Q: May REALTORS® continue to hold open houses during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: First, members should consult with their brokers, and consider how federal, state and local authorities' recommendations and actions, such as “shelter in place” mandates, impact the advisability, and even permissibility of open houses.
Where open houses are permissible, NAR strongly encourages members to consider the advisability of continuing to hold open houses at this time, especially in light of the guidance and actions of federal, state and local authorities, including “The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America (link is external)” recommending that gatherings of ten or more persons be avoided.
Q: What if my client insists that I continue to hold open houses?
A: You are never required to put yourself at risk in servicing a client. Have an open and honest conversation with your client about your concerns with holding an open house at this time, including whether doing so would contradict current government recommendations or mandates, particularly in geographic areas with “shelter in place” mandates. If after discussing these issues, you and your client mutually agree to hold an open house, advise your client about necessary precautions to minimize exposure to, and the spread of, COVID-19.
Coronavirus: Resources for Property Owners
March 20, 2020
SBA Loans, FHA Programs, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac (GSEs), Veterans Affairs, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), TRID (TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure), Coronavirus, Rural Housing Programs
The following resources provide property owners with assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.
American Land Title Association (ALTA) has provided the following resources:
- County Record Office Closures (link is external): Real-time database of offices that are closing or reducing operations as a result of the coronavirus. Click on the link under County Office Closures.
- Title, Settlement Companies Develop Safe Closing Protocols (link is external)
- Visitor Health Screening Questionnaires: The NNA has developed health screening forms for the signing agent and borrower in order to protect all parties during a closing.
- Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plan (link is external): Having a business continuity plan is essential to keeping an operation going following any type of disaster or crisis.
- Common Issues Your Business May Encounter (link is external)
- Keep Your Workplace Safe (link is external)
- Keep Commercial Establishments Safe (link is external)
Bank Regulators have also instructed banks and servicers to be proactive in extending help to homeowners:
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (link is external)
- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) (link is external)
- Board of Governor of the Federal Reserve System (Fed) (link is external)
Banks have posted their own policies and ways for consumers to contact them for assistance:
NAR= March 15, 2020
Corona Virus Emergency Legislation-What REALTORS need to know
Congress is speeding toward passage of emergency corona virus legislation. The bill passed by a wide margin early Saturday in the House and is headed to the Senate next week, where it is expected to pass easily. You can find a summary prepared by NAR staff here.
Last week, NAR's advocacy team urged Congressional leaders to include support for self-employed professionals and other small business owners in this bill. We are pleased robust measures targeting these groups were included.
We expect few if any changes to the bill in the Senate, so here is where the measure stands now:
Family Medical Leave Expansion…
- Allows up to 12 weeks of certain virus-related family medical leave through the end of 2020
- Covers employees at businesses with between 50-500 employees
- Provides a refundable tax credit for eligible self-employed individuals equal to their qualified family leave equivalent
- Provides employers with a refundable tax credit equal to certain family leave wages paid to employees
Paid Sick Leave Expansion…
- Allows two weeks of certain virus-related paid sick leave through the end of 2020.
- Covers employees at businesses with fewer than 500 employees
- Provides a refundable tax credit for eligible self-employed individuals equal to their qualified sick leave equivalent
- Provides employers with a refundable tax credit equal to certain paid sick leave wages paid to employees