CO Springs Realtors Working to Keep Clients Safe During COVID-19

We are still doing business, but it’s not “business as usual.” While many states ignored the plight of people who need to move, Colorado has acknowledged that Realtors are essential. Realtors are taking extreme precautions to keep you safe while still working hard for you. We are represented by an organization (Colorado Association of Realtors [CAR]) that is taking swift action.

Governor Polis deemed real estate an essential service and a critical business vital to the economy. We are working diligently to take care of one another. We are adjusting whenever executing any part of our business during these ever-changing times. CAR is proactively trying to prevent foreclosures when people find themselves unable to make their mortgage payment. They are also seeking an emergency rental assistance fund to protect not only the tenant, but also owners who may not be able to make the scheduled mortgage payment without the rental income.

Colorado is under a Stay at Home Order, currently in effect from March 26 through April 11, 2020. Part of our responsibility is to protect you – our clients, the public, and those with whom we work. That includes buyers, sellers, lenders, inspectors, appraisers, title company employees, etc., while we sift through the deluge of ever-changing information to keep you safe.

New Business Practices Being Enacted

These old practices are becoming more common:

• Listings are being marketed through virtual tours
• Many of us are doing “virtual showings” for our Clients who want more information
• Open Houses are being held “virtually”
• Drive to showings separately
• All paperwork being done electronically

New innovations we’re using to keep you safe:

• Telework as much as possible (FaceTime, FB Messenger, Zoom, etc.)
• Limit in-person contact
• Personal tour only if the Buyer has seen video and is serious about the property
• After seeing an online tour, some Realtors are even requiring an offer prior to being allowed to enter an occupied home
• Whether or not occupied, Realtors are leaving booties and hand sanitizers at listed properties
• No shaking hands or hugging anyone
• Sellers are being asked to wipe down surfaces, leave all doors open, and all lights on (so no one needs to touch)
• Don’t touch anything but handrails
• If someone needs to touch, let the Realtor do it
• Provide gloves (if you have them)
• Many of us are carrying Clorox wipes to disinfect lockboxes, light switches, and door knobs (if necessary)
• Wipe down the steering wheel after each showing
• Realtors and Clients are to adhere to prescribed social distancing norms (six feet apart)
• Don’t hesitate to ask if people are/have recently been sick
• Working with vendors (inspectors, appraisers, cleaners, title company, etc.) to reduce exposure
• Earnest money now being delivered through mobile apps similar to mobile bank deposits
• Title companies doing “drive up closings” – including bringing your own pen
• CAR (along with the Colorado Bar Association) has produced a COVID-19 Addendum to the Contract to protect Buyers and Sellers if deals don’t close because of COVID-19 circumstances outside our control
• CAR is seeking Secretary of State authorization requesting an Executive Order to process real estate closings with remote notaries (current requirements are “personal appearance”) {passed 3/28/20}

Today’s Reality

As of Monday, only 3% of Sellers had pulled their homes from the market. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) predicts home sales will be down 10% compared to what they should be during this usually-busy time period.

I had a closing yesterday where I didn’t meet one person involved in the transaction. The out-of-state Seller had a vacant property. I didn’t meet the Buyer or the Buyer’s Agent. I didn’t meet the Closer, nor anyone else involved. It was a smooth and pleasant transaction that closed ahead of time at full asking price. Now, more than ever, Realtors are essential. It can be done and we are doing it.

It is important we rebound as quickly as possible, but information and situations are changing daily. I will keep you updated with what’s going on in the Colorado Springs real estate market. In the meantime, ask questions you might have in the comments below.

Elbow bump. (Although that’s not a good idea right now either.)