Columbus REALTORS®
On 3/22/20, Governor Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton issued an Executive Order requiring all Ohio residents to stay at home in an effort to curb the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Ohio REALTORS® worked directly with the Governor’s office to ensure that real estate-related activities are specifically allowed to continue while the Executive Order is in effect. (Just one more example of your CORPAC dollars at work!)
In order to protect that privilege, Columbus REALTORS® and Ohio REALTORS® have issued several articles providing guidance to protect members, their client’s and their client’s properties.
Consider the health of others
It is the duty of REALTORS® to support their clients in making an informed choice about hosting or attending open houses and showings. This is a real estate brokerage decision that will have to be considered, taking into account the health of clients, REALTOR® staff and the community.
REALTORS® need to speak openly and honestly with clients so that they can weigh the risks in their community. It is important to heed the advice of health authorities (local, state, and federal). This is particularly important for clients who are in high-risk groups, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
REALTORS® are reminded that there are alternative online and virtual marketing opportunities for sellers that can easily be accessed by buyers.
Please note: Although it is your client’s decision whether to hold an open house, you can decline to proceed if you are not comfortable with the risk to your health. As always, you should discuss the services you are prepared to offer with your clients.
And it goes without saying that REALTORS® and their clients should stay in isolation if you’re showing any symptoms of being sick.
Keep your distance
If REALTORS® and clients do interact, please follow the Ohio Department of Health guidelines to keep a safe distance from others when out in public, and to practice “social distancing”.
Email, phone or using other forms of technology, such as video calls is the safest solution. For information on virtual tours and virtual open houses, see the article in the May/June In Contract magazine, page 34.
But if you, or your clients, feel the need to host an open house, showing or have an in-person meeting with clients, consider the following tips:
Confirm whether any occupants of the property (owners or tenants) are ill, under self-isolation, have recently traveled out of the country or may have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with your brokerage regarding any special requirements it may have put in place. Encourage people viewing the property to follow handwashing and sanitizing guidelines established by health officials. Use disinfecting wipes to clean commonly-shared surfaces like door handles. Take steps to discourage those viewing the property from touching any surfaces or items in the home. Consider limiting the number of people in the home at any one time and practice social distancing, as advised by local health officials. Refrain from greeting others with handshakes or hugs. Encourage clients to thoroughly clean and disinfect the house after open houses or viewings. Request clients or attendees to notify their REALTOR® if they become ill within two weeks of an open house or showing. If an attendee does become sick or is diagnosed with COVID-19, communicate this with the homeowner and other attendees if possible. Keep a list of everyone that attended the property, including the date and time and their contact information. In the event of an infection, you may be asked to provide the information to local public health authorities so they may investigate any/all potential risk.
Columbus REALTORS® continues to encourage all members to follow the advice of public health authorities and exercise reasonable precautions as needed to ensure the safety of all members and their clients.
Facebook live videos and photos require Seller’s permission
As a buyer’s representative, if you are providing Facebook live, video recordings and or internal photos of a property as a value add for your prospective buyers, you must have documentation from the listing agent that the Seller has agreed in writing to allow Facebook live, videos and or photos.
Is it ever OK to allow unlicensed or unsupervised individuals in a listing without you?
Providing keys or other means of access and/or permitting an unlicensed individual unsupervised access to a listing is a violation of Ohio license law and will likely result in disciplinary action including a suspension of the licensee’s license, a fine and education.
The only way a buyer, inspector or anyone else should be allowed in a property without an agent is if the seller or listing agent has authorized this. If such permission is granted, this should be documented in your records for your protection.
Association Videos
The following videos have been produced in the last month to provide valuable information for members. All can be found on ColumbusRealtors.com or our YouTube channel.
Virtual Open Houses
Unlike virtual tours, virtual open houses are streaming walkthroughs and agents can now add them to the MLS.
Residential Leadership Forum (4/10/20)
Features a panel discussion addressing how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting residential real estate and the title and mortgage industries in central Ohio. This is a lengthy video, but the information is vital.
Economic Leadership Forum (4/3/20)
This video is an interview with Kenny McDonald (CEO, One Columbus), Emmanuel Remy (Columbus City Councilman, REALTOR®), and Andy Mills (2020 President, Columbus REALTORS®) addressing commercial real estate, economic development in central Ohio and what the City of Columbus is doing.
President CEO Update
(4/15/20) Tune in to hear the latest Columbus REALTORS® association updates from 2020 President Andy Mills and CEO John Geha. In this video, they address Virtual open houses, the new MLS Clear Cooperation Policy, the Association’s new video series, free CE, and more!
Suggested Resources
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has provided a wealth of information and guidance on the Coronovirus, tools to help your business, getting small business assistance through the CARES Act, unemployment for those who are self-employed and independent contractors, and much more.
Ohio REALTORS® also has incredibly valuable information such as whether you could be liable if your clients get COVID-19, pandemic, unemployment for REALTORS® and other 1099 employees, the Ohio Division of Real Estate’s plans to open license testing, results of weekly flash surveys just to name a few.
coronavirus.ohio.gov
In addition to tracking cases and deaths, the Ohio Department of Health offers many answers to COVID-19 questions as well as a Call Center which is staffed from 9a to 8p daily (including weekends) - 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks coronavirus cases in the U.S. as well as offering valuable answers as to how to protect yourself and what to do if you’re sick.
Let’s help jump start the local economy!
One way we can help central Ohioans get back on their feet is by patronizing our local merchants, restaurants, service providers, etc. We will get through this. We will be stronger. We are #BetterTogether!
