COVID-19 Recommendations – Sales Guide to Safe Practices for Real Estate

Your Actions Impact Your Neighbors and Your Neighbors’ Actions Impact You
It is Your Duty to Protect Yourself and Your Clients

  1. During Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have the privilege of continuing a limited amount of real estate practice.  With privilege comes responsibility.  It is your responsibility to follow these guidelines.  If you do not, we risk all being shut down completely.
  2. No open houses. No Broker opens.
  3. You can do what is necessary to complete sales in final stages / properties already in contract.
  4. CONSIDER YOUR OFFICE CLOSED.  You can work from home. DO NOT TAKE THE PUBLIC TO YOUR OFFICE.  Responsible Brokers, managers, bookkeeping, administrative, maintenance and janitorial staff might need to be in the office occasionally. You might need to stop in to get supplies and tend to clients’ needs but keep your time there to a minimum particularly if others are there; consider scheduling visits when others are not there.  Follow your broker’s rules about office access.
  5. Do everything you can to keep yourself healthy and teach others how to stay healthy. Follow CDC guidelines.
  6. Offer sellers the opportunity to continue with showings or to change the status to Temporarily Off Market.  See sample form for this.
  7. Speak to your responsible Broker about the use of the WAR COVID-19 addendum. Suggest Sellers and Buyers sign the COVID-19 clause addendum to Agreement of Sale to allow for delays in the transaction. See sample WAR form for this addendum.
  8. Complete paperwork electronically except when necessary to have a “wet” signature. See Wyoming Secretary of State Guidance on Temporary Remote Online Notarization.
  9. Keep physical contact with other people to a minimum.  When physical contact with other people is necessary, maintain a six foot separation between you.
  10. Speak to your responsible Broker about the use of their COVID-19 risks WAR form. As part of arranging to meet with someone, ask them for specific information about their COVID-19 risks.  Offer them the same information about yourself.
  11. When possible, don’t meet in confined spaces unless those spaces have been disinfected.  Meet outside if possible and practice social distancing.
  12. Wash your hands before you leave home and when you return.  Keep hand sanitizer in your vehicle to use when returning to your car.
  13. Disinfect your steering wheel, seat belt latches, handles, and controls.
  14. Do not drive customers or clients in your vehicle.  They should drive alone in another vehicle or with people they already have been in recent contact with such as family members or roommates.
  15. Disinfect your phone and keyboard regularly. Do not loan your phone to someone else.
  16. Disinfect where you met with someone after the meeting.
  17. Pre-screen potential buyers to make sure they have a need to look for a home now rather than waiting.
  18. Do not physically meet with potential buyers or set up showings unless they are pre-qualified or pre-approved for their financing or offer proof of ability to buy without borrowing. In light of the current financial situation with lenders/banks, do not physically meet with buyers without proof of current financial pre-qualification.
  19. Encourage the use of virtual tools such as high-quality photographs of listings, virtual tours, and interactive floor plans so that virtual showings can narrow the field of homes that must be viewed in person.
  20. While showing a home, wear gloves and only spend enough time for the buyers to view what they need to in the home.  Go outside or in an open garage and stand apart to have conversations with buyers and sellers about the house.
  21. Respect Sellers’ COVID-19 based requests while showing the home such as washing your hands if invited to do so, wearing gloves if available, and do not use the bathroom facilities of an occupied home and disinfect after using.
  22. Don’t socialize face to face with your clients and others in the transaction. Keep your time together to a minimum. Be social by phone and other electronic means.
  23. Don’t go to home inspections unless the buyer can’t be there.
  24. Don’t meet the appraiser at the home.  Send information to the appraiser electronically.
  25. Don’t go to settlement unless your presence is required by the settlement/closing agent. Join settlement by facetime or other electronic means if you want to be part of the process.
  26. Use social media responsibly and not to entice people to leave their homes. Remember many are subject to an order to “shelter in place of residence”.
  27. For sellers who need to list their homes, you can take new listings.
  28. For buyers who need to buy you can negotiate Contracts to Buy and Sell Real Estate.
  29. Display a positive attitude to help people through this. Do not panic, stay informed, and use your best judgment and common sense.

Disclaimer: The above guidelines are merely recommendations from the Teton Board of Realtors© and is solely a guideline for best practices, which are fluid and may change due to updated information on best practices.Decisions informed by these guidelines should also take into consideration additional public health guidelines based on your specific jurisdiction.

Calling for Nominations! Do you know a Realtor® & Business Person who goes above & beyond ….

Calling for Nominations! Do you know a Realtor® who goes above & beyond to help others, or a colleague that deserves special recognition? This is your chance to nominate that shining star for TBOR’s 2020 Realtor® of the Year!

How about a business professional who works hard for our Community?  Someone that brings people together and moves our community forward into the future?  Nominate them today for the 2019 Business Person of the Year!

The Realtor® of the Year and Business Person of the Year awards recognize outstanding leadership, accomplishments, and professionalism in our Industry and Community!

We need YOUR HELP to find those outstanding Realtors® and Business Professionals!

Make your nominations on the NEW form on our webistes by Friday, July 10 ~ 5:00pm.

2019 Realtor® of the Year Nomination form

2019 Business Person of the Year Nomination form

Let’s recognize those that are knowledgeable, have tenacity, positive attitudes, integrity and more…

TETON BOARD OF REALTORS®   …. working together to inspire excellence, productivity and professionalism

Want $250 credit towards your 2020 TBOR dues?

Complete all of the 10 (11 for Brokers) elements of the Commitment to Excellence Program

by August 31st and be entered to win one of two $250 dues credit

The National Association of REALTORS® proudly introduces
Commitment to Excellence (C2EX), a program that empowers
REALTORS® to demonstrate their professionalism and
commitment to conducting business at the highest standards.
C2EX takes professionalism to the next level by enabling NAR
members to assess their expertise in 10 (11 for brokers) elements of
professionalism ranging from customer service to use of
technology.

To get started, log in to www.C2EX.realtor and take the self-assessment
that measures your proficiency in each of the elements
of professionalism, known as the C2EX Competencies. Based on
your results, the platform will generate customized learning paths,
recommend experiences, and provide tools and resources to
increase your knowledge and enhance your skill sets.

RPAC Lunch in Etna ~ Thursday, April 18

Come have lunch with us and learn all about RPAC! 

As important as it is to be involved in your local community, it is equally important that we, as REALTORS,® are involved at the state and federal levels of government as well.  By participating in RPAC, your voice is heard collectively with hundreds of thousands of your colleagues across the country.   RPAC supports our clients and community – It’s not all about us as Realtors – It protects private property rights and promotes home ownership.  RPAC provides you a seat at the table.  If you don’t get involved, you may face the prospect of bad legislation or a new set of crippling regulations that can put you out of business.

RPAC is the best insurance you can buy for your business!

 

Etna Community Center

Thursday, April 18 ~ 11:30am

Lunch will be served while the TBOR RPAC committee will help us to understand what RPAC is and what it can do for us, our Business and our Clients

 

RSVP by Tuesday, April 16 – send us an email to rsvp@tbor.org

 

Hope to see you there!

2019 Annual Dues

To pay your 2019 Dues – visit nar.realtor
Find Instructions on the TBOR website – www.tbor.org
Pay Dues (on top right corner)

National Association of Realtors®              $185.00
Wyoming Association of Realtors®            $305.00
Teton Board of Realtors®                         $330.00
Multiple Listing Services                           $400.00
                            TOTAL 2019 Dues:   $1,220.00

2019 Dues deadline is DECEMBER 1, 2018
30 day grace period.  There is a TBOR late fee of $100 & WY Realtors® reinstatement fee of $150 – if total dues not paid by December 31. No exceptions.

$1,220.00
Payment in full may be paid electronically on nar.realtor or by check
(must be received to the TBOR office by December 31)

OKTOBERFEST OF EDUCATION

OKTOBERFEST OF EDUCATION
Free Education!
Grab your calendar! Sign Up and Earn a Chance to Win!

Attend ALL of the Oktoberfest of Education classes to WIN a chance for FREE 2019 Annual Dues
*TBOR members: must register & attend all of the Education classes to participate in drawing

Social Media and Marketing “hands-on” Workshop
Negotiation – RENE Certification Class
1031 Tax Exchange class
Lending 101

Space is limited!
Register today for all of the Oktoberfest Classes by sending an email to RSVP@tbor.org

Teton Board of Realtors® Annual Membership Meeting and Awards Luncheon

Spring Creek Ranch, Sagebrush Ballroom

AUGUST 9, 2018

12:00 NOON

The purpose of the meeting is the election of Officers and Directors and presentation of the Business Person of the Year and REALTOR® of the Year Awards.

The following slate of Officer & Director Candidates is submitted for your consideration:

President Elect:            Ashley DiPrisco

Director:  (3 year)        Oly Olsen

  *********************************************

If you are not able to attend our Annual Luncheon – please click below to print the Absentee Ballot.

Absentee Ballot 2019 Officers

 

VOTING PROCEDURES

ARTICLE XI-OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 4.  Election of Officers and Directors.

(a)  …Additional candidates for the offices to be filled may be placed in nomination by petition signed by at least 20% of the REALTOR® Members eligible to vote.  The petition shall be filed with the Secretary at least two (2) weeks before the election.   The Secretary shall send notice of such additional nominations to all Members eligible to vote before the election.

(b)  REALTOR® members in good standing who are present at the annual meeting will vote at this meeting.  REALTOR® members in good standing who are not present at the annual meeting may vote by absentee ballot.  Absentee ballots will be made available ten (10) days prior to the annual meeting.  The absentee ballot must be received at the Teton Board of REALTORS® office from the REALTOR® member two (2) days prior to the meeting and may be dropped off in person, submitted via facsimile or U.S. Mail.

If you will be unable to attend the luncheon meeting on August 9th, absentee ballots will be available from the TBOR office beginning July 30.

2018 Annual Dues! TBOR must receive your payment by December 31 – no exceptions!

The Annual Dues deadline was December 1.
There is a 30 day grace period.
Your annual dues must be received by the TBOR office December 31!
(We will be open until Friday, December 29 ~ 5pm. You can drop off your check in the box.)
Avoid the late fee & reinstatement fee! There will be no exceptions – if your check is not received by the TBOR office by December 31 – then your membership will be suspended & you will need to pay the late fees.

$100 Late Fee – Teton Board of Realtors®
$150 reinstatement fee – Wyoming Realtors®

$1,190.00 – Full member Dues

You can pay electronically on nar.realtor website.  Be sure to REGISTER your account to get your username & password to enable you to sign in.
• visit www.tbor.org , click on pay dues (see member instructions)
• for any help & questions – call 800-874-6500
You can pay by check – drop off or mail your check today! (but remember – it must be received by the TBOR office by December 31)

A payment plan is available. Contact the TBOR office for details.
If you are planning on letting your license go inactive, please notify the TBOR office.

America’s Hardworking Homeowners Should Not Pay For Tax Cuts

Reform our tax code AND protect middle class homeowners

As a REALTOR, you have no doubt heard about the tax reform plan being debated in the United States Senate. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act threatens homeowners with a loss of tax incentives and a reduction in home values. Eliminating the state and local property tax deduction and changes to the capital gains exemption will increase taxes now and when a home is sold. These incentives are critical for a strong housing market that creates jobs and builds stable communities.

Take action to tell the United States Senate to reform our tax code AND protect middle class homeowners.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Grand Teton National Park – Sign Policy

Please be aware of the SIGN POLICY for Grand Teton National Park.  There have been an increased amount of real estate signs being posted in the park along US Highway 26/89/191 – the most common locations are near Gros Ventre Junction and Antelope Flats Road junction.  Please click on the below link to see the full policy information.

gtnp-sign-policy-realtor-letter-9-24-2017