GBRAR Coronavirus Updates

July 17th, 2020

Page Sections
GBRAR Actions
Louisiana REALTORS® Resources
NAR Resources
FAQs
Other Resources


GBRAR Actions

Education
All GBRAR live classes scheduled for the remainder of the month of March through July will be canceled or postponed. Registered attendees will be notified by email and refunded if necessary.
Classes after July are still open for registration. www.gbrar.com/education Looking for Online CE? Click HERE

Events
The following events have been canceled and plan to be rescheduled.
April 30th TRENDS in Baton Rouge Real Estate Rescheduled to spring 2021

Committee Meetings
Committee Meetings will be left to the discretion of the Committee Chair, based on their agendas.  Committee members who are sick or may have been in contact should not attend any meeting in-person but should practice appropriate social distancing guidelines. Conference call participation for those meetings is allowed.

GBRAR Articles

Baton Rouge “No Mask, No Service” Policy
The executive order requires, at minimum, that all employees and visitors wear face coverings when in an area or while performing an activity that will involve close contact or proximity with the public

GBRAR Office Reopening By Appointment Only
The Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® office is now open to the membership during normal business hours (8:30 to 4:30 M-F) by appointment only.

Weekly Coronavirus Statistics
Statistics on how the Coronavirus has impacted the GBRAR Real estate market, updated weekly.

NEW MLS Features and Walkthrough
If you need lockboxes, they are still available for pickup from the GBRAR Office Building.    Here’s how: FIRST: Call…

Looking For Lockboxes?
If you need lockboxes, they are still available for pickup from the GBRAR Office Building.    Here’s how: FIRST: Call…

GBRAR Food Bank Barrell Competition
The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank needs your help!

Unbranded Virtual Tour vs. Branded Virtual Tour
I created a virtual tour for my listing, but there are two virtual tour fields! What’s the difference and which one should I put my tour in?

Virtual Open House vs. Virtual Tour
I want to promote my listing while practicing social distancing. I have decided to film a video tour of one…

Status vs Status TOM vs. WTH
What status should I use?? What do they mean for my clients?

ShowingTime Releases Real-time Showing Statistics

3 Things to Know About Virtual Tours in the MLS
Virtual tours have become more important now than ever. With so many agents stepping into virtual tours for the first time we wanted to give some pointers:

How to Set Up Video Showings in ShowingTime
To help adapt to this new way of doing business, ShowingTime put together a series of videos to discuss how to set up video showings within ShowingTime.

 


Louisiana REALTORS® Resources

Louisiana Rental Assistance Program
Governor John Bel Edwards announced the launch of what will be at least a $24 million emergency rental assistance program

Louisiana Officially Moves to Phase Two fo Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana
Gov. John Edwards has officially moved Louisiana to Phase Two of the White House plan for reopening.

Governor Edwards Extends Stay at Home Order Through May 15th, 2020 – How Does it Impact Real Estate?
On April 30, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards extended the statewide Stay at Home Order, so that the Order is now effective through May 15, 2020.

Phone Solicitations During COVID-19
How does the State of Emergency impact phone solicitations? What you can and can’t do.

SBA and LED Financial Assistance for Small Businesses
Louisiana REALTORS® has consolidated information about these programs for you to access in one convenient place.

Gov. Edwards Renews Stay at Home Order
On April 2, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards extended the statewide Stay at Home Order (the “Order”), so that the Order is now effective through April 30, 2020.

Small Business Loans and Brokerage Owners
Brokerage owners and team leaders that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue may be eligible to receive working capital loans through the Small Business Administration.

Modified Appraisal Processes for some Federal Loan Programs
During this COVID-19 national emergency, lenders are sometimes unable to obtain an appraisal based on a full interior and exterior inspection of the subject property. In response, the use of modified appraisal processes has been approved for use in many federal loan programs.

Landlord/Tenant, Eviction and Foreclosure Issues
Louisiana REALTORS® has received several questions regarding landlord/tenant, eviction and foreclosure issues. This article provides general guidance for a variety of scenarios.

Impact of the Statewide Stay at Home Order on Real Estate
We have received several calls and questions about showing and real estate business activity considering Governor John Bel Edwards’ “Stay at Home” order which takes effect this evening.
The Louisiana REALTORS® Association has issued the following guidance on how the Governor’s order specifically applies real estate.

Impact of the Executive Order on Real Estate Closings
This article provides answers to the following questions:
Does Governor Edwards’ order extend deadlines in real estate contracts?
Does the mandatory Louisiana residential agreement to buy or sell form provide an automatic extension of the contract deadlines because of the pandemic?
What is an act of God or fortuitous event?
Is the pandemic a fortuitous event that will delay the obligations due under the purchase agreement?
Will the pandemic, if it temporarily prevents the performance of contract only temporarily extend the deadlines in the contract?

Download the Coronavirus Amendment


National Association of REALTORS® Resources

President Passes Deal to Replenish Coronavirus Relief Funding
President Donald Trump, in a signing ceremony today, authorized additional funding for coronavirus-related small-business relief programs.

NAR’s COVID-19 Response Hotline Available for REALTORS®
The National Association of REALTORS® announced a new hotline that members can call if they have questions about the association’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NAR Is Providing 2 Months of TeleHealth Access to Members
In response to the current health crisis, NAR is funding 2-months of access to Members TeleHealth at no cost to our members, via the Right Tools, Right Now program.

NAR Launches Right Tools, Right Now
The Right Tools, Right Now initiative, which was activated once before in 2009, makes new and existing NAR products and services available for FREE or at significant discounts – right now – and is available to REALTORS®

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
Congress passed a $2 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package on March 27, 2020 with overwhelming bipartisan support. This article details how the CARES act impacts you as a REALTOR®.
Coronavirus: SBA CARES Act FAQs

Impact of H.R. 6201 “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” on NAR Members
Congress has passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6201 with broad bipartisan support (read summary). This article details how the Families First Coronavirus Response Act impacts you as a REALTOR®; including Emergency Family and Medical Leave, Payroll Credits, Tax Credits, Sick Leave, and more.

Coronavirus Guide For REALTORS®
Coronavirus Guide For Property Owners


Frequently Asked Questions

How can I practice Social distancing and still have new client meetings?
New client meetings should be held with caution. Meeting remotely via phone or video conference is best. If meetings must be done in person, meet in spaces with room for social distancing.

Are there any resources I can share with my clients/property owners?
Yes! The National Association of REALTORS® has compiled a list of resources that provide property owners with assistance during the Coronavirus crisis. This resource can be found at https://www.nar.realtor/coronavirus-resources-for-property-owners

What precautions should brokers consider taking in their offices?
Brokers should use their best judgment when formulating a plan. In addition to performing regular environmental cleaning with special attention paid to frequently touched surfaces, brokers should implement a mandatory “stay-home” policy for any staff member or agent exhibiting any sign of illness. Brokers may want to consider imposing a mandatory or maximum flexibility remote work policy for employees and instructing agents to stay out of the office.

How can I stay safe at showings?

  • Consider offering clients the option to conduct a virtual tour of the property instead of an in-person meeting.
  • Consider taking separate vehicles to the property
  • Clean and disinfect all frequently touched areas and surfaces in the property before and after every appointment.
  • When possible, provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer and/or disinfecting wipes to all visitors upon arrival.
  • Avoid shaking hands during in-person interactions.

How can I stay safe while at closings?

  • Discuss using online or electronic closings by using document review, approval, and signing software
  • Limit attendees at each closing to only the most essential parties
  • Avoid shaking hands during in person interactions
  • Keep the meeting area clean by disinfecting all frequently touched areas and surfaces.

I typically drive my clients to showings. May I refuse to drive potential clients to see properties?
Yes. However, be sure that any change to your business practices is applied equally to all clients. You may refuse to drive clients who show signs of illness or reveal recent travel to areas of increased risk of Coronavirus, or you may instead decide to stop driving clients in your car altogether, and simply arrange to meet clients at a property. If you do continue to drive clients in your car, it is a good idea to frequently clean and disinfect surfaces like door handles and seat belt latches, and to ask clients to use hand sanitizer when getting in and out of the car.

How can I get real estate CE during this time?
The Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® has compiled a list of current online CE offerings.
The list can be found at https://gbrar.com/coronavirus-ce-resource/

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