COVID tips

With the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, some normality is returning to the community and the business world. But, an internal Coronavirus Policy is still important for real estate brokers. Now is not the time to be complacent.  Here are 7 things your Coronavirus Policy should cover: 1. Cleaning and Sanitization Procedures All areas of your…

On August 26, 2021, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of upholding a District Court’s Judgment vacating CDC’s Second Eviction Moratorium.  The Second Moratorium had prevented the eviction of any tenants who live in counties that are experiencing substantial or high levels of COVID-19 transmission and who make certain declarations of financial need. …

The way we work has changed as a result of the pandemic. People who work in industries that have traditionally had a lot of personal contact now must adapt. In the real estate industry, we all know that building a successful career and business is based on building a great rapport with clients, maintaining excellent…

It’s a challenging time for all real estate professionals with rapidly changing directives due to COVID-19. One of these directives is the moratorium on evictions.  For Property Managers that need to  stay up to speed on the latest updates,here’s what you need to know…  What is the COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Directive? In September 2020, the…

As COVID-19 continues to impact the world, it also continues to make its mark on the real estate industry across our nation. Many “business as usual” activities, such as open houses and home inspections, are increasingly risky in a COVID environment. Brokers now need to not only be great leaders in a challenging sales environment…

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the USA and more than 50 million Americans experience allergies each year. It is widely known that people who have allergies or illnesses are particularly vulnerable during this pandemic as they are more prone to experiencing…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Americans limit travel at this time, because it can increase the chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. CDC has stated that postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus.  It comes as no surprise then,…

Apartments and condominiums are of particular risk during this COVID-19 pandemic because there are often hundreds of people living in the same building. That means hundreds of people using the entrance foyer, using the elevator, checking the mail, putting out the garbage, and using condo/apartment facilities (if these are still open).  It’s important that brokers…

Selling a home can be overwhelming at the best of times, but being in the midst of a pandemic adds additional challenges for sellers. Understandably, some sellers struggle to keep up with the ever-changing guidelines, and many are reluctant to place their property on the market. This is where seller seminars can help you cut…

The NAR recently warned real estate agents about the risks of Legionella bacteria in recently-opened buildings. It’s a challenge that many property owners and real estate professionals haven’t had to face until this pandemic. But after being closed for many months as a result of COVID-19, some buildings are particularly vulnerable to this bacteria. What…

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the world, and the laws and best practices to deal with it seem to be changing almost every day. Keeping up can be a challenge, especially in an industry like real estate, where you’re used to dealing with multiple people and properties every day. From new open house and cleaning…

The Covid-19 crisis continues to impact health and the economy throughout our country, but for many real estate agents, business is booming. With favorable interest rates, there are clients looking to get out of the city, others seeking more space or outdoor amenities in case they need to shelter in place again, and those who…

Reducing Property Management Risks in a COVID World | RSS.com Like many other industries, real estate has been significantly affected by COVID-19. Property management is one area in particular, which is experiencing much pandemic-related change. There’s no doubt the risks are much greater in this current environment, and lawsuits are on the rise.  For many…

We’d all love the pandemic to be over and business to get back to usual, but we’re not there yet. While many states are phasing in reopening and removing business restrictions, there are still state guidelines and covid-19 precautions to follow.  First, remember that state and local guidelines can change quickly, and you need to…

Real Estate COVID Forms & Best Practices | RSS.com COVID-19 has brought a great deal of challenges to the real estate industry. Keeping up with exactly what forms should be used in transactions is one of those challenges. Keeping up-to-date with changes to the forms and guidelines as they evolve during the pandemic is another. …

Many people have been severely affected by the coronavirus through illness, job losses, and business closures. As a result, some clients, understandably, will want to cancel transactions because their circumstances have changed as a result of the pandemic.  Most contracts include a ‘Force Majeure’ or ‘Acts of God’ clause which offers an out to parties…

Did you know that approximately 42% of the labor force in the United States is working from home right now? There were many benefits of having your team work remotely from home before the COVID-19 pandemic. But, in today’s circumstances, reducing the number of people gathered at the office helps reduce the risk of spreading…

Virtual property tours have been around for a while — but are now more important than ever. Although many real estate professionals (and prospective buyers) may favor in-person showings, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the industry — and the home-buying process.  How can you take your virtual property tours to the next level, so you…

As COVID-19 continues to impact the United States, businesses are grappling with how to move forward in this “new normal”.  In your real estate business, there are some concrete steps you can take now to stay visible in front of customers and prospects.    Stay in Regular Contact with Existing Clients Even with COVID-19 restrictions, there…

There’s no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has caused trauma to the United States economy. However, out of crisis also comes some opportunity.  Many companies across the country are diversifying their product or service offerings and adapting to the challenges before them. As a real estate broker, you can also adapt your business to find valuable…

Given the widespread nature of COVID-19, property managers shouldn’t be surprised to hear that one or more tenants are symptomatic or have tested positive. The question, of course, is what should a property manager do (and not do) upon learning of a COVID-19 positive tenant?  First, it’s important to know that tenants are not required…

COVID-19 has had an impact on the world that none of us could have foreseen. Here we are several months into the pandemic, and the business community is grappling with how  we can pivot and survive these difficult economic times.  For the real estate industry, the coronavirus pandemic has presented some unique and challenging issues.…

The impact of COVID-19 on the world economy is unprecedented. GDP has dropped some 4.8% for the first quarter of 2020, the stock market has taken a hit, businesses are suffering and laying off staff, and unemployment has risen. Those most vulnerable — low-wage employees who don’t get paid if they don’t work — are…

There’s no doubt the world right now is different from the world we lived in just last year. COVID-19 is impacting the economy in the United States and around the globe. The impact on families, business, and employment is especially devastating at this time.  The real estate industry is adapting and changing as conditions around…

April 1, 2020—As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve around the world, it continues to affect the real estate industry in a myriad of ways. The recently signed CARES Act has provisions that may help you and your real estate clients through the financial impact of the pandemic. These provisions include recovery benefit payments of…

With the Senate reaching an agreement on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, there has been a push to consolidate resources for easy reference and education on what the aid the Act provides.  The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship created this Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act…

March 19, 2020 These are unprecedented times and these issues could not have been anticipated.  No one in the real estate industry has experienced a similar event on such a scale. Nevertheless, CRES and our risk management attorneys are analyzing the situation to anticipate legal and practical challenges that face real estate professionals and consumers. …

March 19, 2020 As each day dealing with the coronavirus seems to bring new challenges for the real estate industry, there are positive steps brokers and agents can take to remain safe. CRES and our risk management attorneys continue to analyze the situation and offer these suggestions: Employing brokers and supervisors should develop a written…

The situation with COVID-19 is changing each day in both the USA and other countries around the world. The coronavirus has cast a dim shadow over the world’s economy, affecting virtually every industry. Because the nature of your work as a real estate professional requires you to have a lot of human contact, the virus…

Download the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Coronavirus Addendum (C.A.R. Form CVA, 3/20). The spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 has created uncertainty in our everyday lives — including the purchase and sale of real property in California.  People who are presently under contract to purchase or sell real property consider how the virus may impact their…

March 18, 2020 These are unprecedented times for consumers and the real estate industry.  The Colorado real estate form contracts do not expressly address situations like this.  No one in the industry has experienced a similar event on such a scale. Nevertheless, CRES and our Colorado attorneys are analyzing the situation to anticipate legal and…

March 18, 2020 Although Colorado real estate form contracts do not expressly address situations like COVID-19, there are ways to handle effects on real estate transactions.  CRES and our Colorado attorneys are analyzing the situation to anticipate legal and practical challenges that face real estate professionals and consumers.  Here are some insights and thoughts: Brokers…