Dear Members:
This message is the latest to you from the Glendale Association of REALTORS® to help you keep on top of the coronavirus crisis and what you can expect for taking care of your business, your loved ones and your own personal health and safety. As always, we want to first ensure that the health and safety of all our members and staff are the first priority.
This is an unprecedented situation and so we should expect frequent changes and updates. Here is the latest we want you to be aware of based on information from NAR, C.A.R. and public health officials.
Coming Up: GAOR Town Hall for Monday at 10:00 a.m.
Mark your calendars for
GAOR’s Online Town Hall on Monday, April 6 at 10:00 a.m.
We will email you login instructions separately. For those familiar to Zoom meetings, below is a link and the log in password.
Bring your questions and comments for GAOR President Steven Small and President-Elect Rick Bonyadi. Steven and Rick will discuss with you topics like these:
- New C.A.R. Forms
- Guidelines for working as a REALTOR® in this environment
- What does “essential” mean regarding real estate services
- Updates on the federal relief package
Real Estate as an “Essential Service”
Even though residential real estate has been designated as an essential service, licensees must still consider the health and safety of their clients, colleagues, the public, and themselves. Local stay-at-home orders that are stricter than the essential services designation take precedent.
Los Angeles County officials have interpreted the “essential service” order as follows. Please adhere to this interpretation in the course of your business:
With regard to realtors, we have opined that they are an Essential Business under section 13(t) per County Order. And Critical Infrastructure under Financial Services Sector ("needed to process and maintain systems for processing financial transactions and services") per State Order.
Open houses are not allowed, and showings of a home are restricted to one family/party at a time, by appointment, but must enforce social distancing guidelines per section 2(a)-(d) of the County’s Order.
Further, to the extent that escrow companies are necessary to carry out the “professional services” of a realtor related to the “transfer and recording of ownership of housing, including residential and commercial real estate…”, those services are also an Essential Business under section 13(t) of the County Order. They too should enforce social distancing per per section 2(a)-(d) of the County’s Order.
Under C.A.R.’s current guidelines,
no in-person open houses or other in-person activities should happen.
Please work online until new updates are provided by health officials.
Please carefully review C.A.R.’s best practices here
before conduct your business today. If you have specific questions, the C.A.R. Legal Hotline is open for business. C.A.R. reports that the Hotline is receiving a record-shattering number of calls, so they have added attorneys and incoming phone lines to meet the demand.
Working with GAOR
GAOR is open and available to provide you support and assistance.
The GAOR building is closed so staff are working remotely and can best serve you via email
. If you are already working with someone on staff you may email that person or send a message to
[email protected]
which is checked frequently.
30-day Grace Period for 2nd Quarter MLS Dues
At GAOR we recognize the financial hit some of our members are feeling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In order to help, the Board of Directors has approved a 30-day grace period for your current MLS dues.
The second quarter MLS dues are now due on May 13.
Please be aware that late fees will apply on May 14.
If you have already paid your second quarter dues, thank you! GAOR is delaying – but not eliminating – your MLS dues. The third quarter MLS due date has not changed and your annual Association membership dues have not changed.
Add Us on your Office’s Virtual Meetings
Is your office holding virtual office meetings with your agents via Zoom or some other service?
Invite a speaker from GAOR to sit in!
President Steven Small, CEO David Kissinger or another person from GAOR Leadership is available to briefly address the agents in your office, answer questions and listen to concerns. For more details, contact David Kissinger at
[email protected]
.
Thank you as always for your attention. GAOR is here to support you throughout this crisis. Please contact us at GAOR any time you have more questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
