Weekly Notices
Friday, April 17, 2020
 
 
The Spokane Association of REALTORS ® is open for business 
under the governor's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order through at least May 4th.
 
While the association office at 1924 North Ash Street is physically closed,
your staff continues to work remotely and welcomes your contact for service:
 
(509) 326-9222 
 
 

 
 
 
TODAY - FRIDAY, APRIL 17th! 
1:30 p.m.
LIVE on Zoom 
 
2020 SAR President Tom Clark invites you to join him and a panel of experts for our next President's Round-table event today:  

Friday, April 17th, at 1:30 p.m.
 
This week's conversation will center on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for contractors (filing opens next week), how you can keep up with your Professional Development during the "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order (the SAR held its first virtual class this week), and a summary of government assistance to impacted businesses (you can call a local librarian for assistance).
 
President Tom's guests will be:    
 
  • Nathan Gorton
    Washington REALTORS® Government Affairs Director
  • Bill Clarke
    Washington REALTORS® Policy Director
  • Jane Larson
    STCU Commercial Lending Officer
 
Questions may be emailed in advance to: [email protected], or asked live via chat during the event on Friday. 
 
 
 
You must register in advance for this webinar - click on the Zoom button below or copy and paste the link into your web browser: 

 
 
 https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uST5rn9BTkWui3LqdK32rA  
 
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Your registration will also put an event on your calendar and remind you when it's time to tune in.

 
The event will be recorded and posted to the SAR YouTube page. You can watch it online here any time after the event concludes:
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
LAST WEEK'S ROUNDTABLE
  
 
Tom, Thank you so much!!!
Thank you for all you are doing!
Nice job panel!!!  Thank you for being here Vincent.
Thanks to all of you!
Thanks panelists!  Appreciate you all!
Thank you!
Great job and timely information; thank you!
Thank you everyone great updates and information.
Thank you all for leading in such a trying time.
Thank you!
 
- Zoom chat comments
 
      
More than 200 REALTORS® across the state were online with three presidents this past Friday (April 10th) - NAR President Vince Malta, WR President Kitty Wallace, and SAR President Tom Clark.
 
The trio took member questions and discussed the current realities for REALTORS® in Washington state and across the country. 
 
The video of that conversation is online here - it's about 50-minutes long
:  
 
Roundtable #3 
Round-table #3
  
 
 
      
 
 
    
 
 
SAR-100-Badge
 
All Spokane Association of REALTORS® COVID-19 resources are online here.  
 
 
 
 
 
SAR photo
 
NEW! 
 
Your SAR Governmental Affairs Committee met with Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward via Zoom, this week (pictured above) - the first visit of her administration with REALTORS®.   
 
Mayor Woodward addressed several topics, including: 

  • City of Spokane will develop a Small Business Loan program for those smaller businesses that did not qualify for SBA loans. Amounts will be between $10-$25,000
  • Program in the works to provide enter and mortgage assistance - may include Landlord relief as well
Your Spokane Association of REALTORS® Governmental Affairs committee has been combing through the myriad loans, grants, and assistance packages available to businesses during our economic reboot.
 
See the committee's picks of the best of these online here.   
 
 
    
 
   
TODAY!
11 a.m. Friday, April 17th 
 
Greater Spokane Incorporated, the region's Chamber of Commerce, will host a live Business Q&A, this morning, to go over state and federal resources aimed at bringing relief and recovery for businesses impacted by COVID-19.   
 
Featured speakers will be: 
 
Lisa Brown, Director, Washington State
Department of Commerce 
 
Suzi Levine, Commissioner, Washington State
Employment Security Division 
Listen in and learn, engage in polling questions to provide valuable feedback, and gather additional resources to help you and your employees navigate the road to recovery.
 
Register now to receive a call when the event happens later this morning: 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
NEXT WEEK!
Filing Opens April 20th 
   
Today's Presidential Round-table will share details about the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.
 
This program will be administered locally by the Washington State Employment Security Department.
 
Independent contractors and self-employed workers are eligible for PUA benefits (unlike regular unemployment that only applies to employees).
 
 
 
   
 
 
NEW!
 
The title alone is encouraging.
TV Was   hington, the television station of our Washington State government, started a new series, this week: "The Road to Recovery."  
Host Mike McClanahan focuses on state agencies that are helping Washington businesses and workers on our road to recovery.
   
 
Watch episode one (30-minutes) online here:    
 
The Impact:  
The Impact: "Road to Recovery"
    
 
 
 
 

   
 
 
Updated March 30th 
 
 
 
Washington REALTORS ® makes it easy for you to share with your clients what you can and cannot do as a real estate professional under the governor's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order.
 
If you need something to help you and your team comply with the rule, this is it.
 
If you need something to help you push back against a colleague or client who asks you to do more than you should, this is it.
       
 
 
Download your copy of this document (pictured above), online here.  
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Updated April 1
 
Professional photographers and staging professionals were added to the list of essential workers, this week. Still, these, too, have restrictions of what they can and cannot do for you. 
 
How do you keep track of who can do what? 
 
No single document can answer every question when it comes to how you should conduct yourself as a real estate broker in Washington State right now.
 
Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline attorney Annie Fitzsimmons does a great job in sharing the Frequently Asked Questions she's getting - and her answers to them - in this single document.
 
Download your copy of the latest version (pictured above) - updated April 1st - online here
 
   
 
 
 


All Washington REALTORS® COVID-19 resources are   online here.

 


 
 


2020 SAR REALTOR® Award Nominations 
 
 
REALTOR Awards Trophy
 
 
NEW DEADLINE:
Sunday, May 17th 
 
Applications are now being accepted for all 2020 SAR REALTOR® Awards!
 
You and your REALTOR® colleagues will decide who will be our honorees for:
 
2020 REALTOR ® of the Year
Steve Flinn REALTOR ® Achievement 
REALTOR ® Community Service
Affiliate of the Year
Partner of the Year
Spokane's Citizen of the Year
 
 

The deadline by which you must submit nominations to the SAR for them to be considered is Sunday, May 17th. 
 
 
The 2020 SAR REALTOR® Awards will be announced and presented  at the SAR's annual REALTOR® Awards Luncheon at Ruby River Hotel (formerly Red Lion River Hotel) - date to be announced after we are allowed to gather in person again.  
 
 
 


    

Download the 2020 SAR REALTOR® Award Nomination Form (pictured above) online here
 
  
 
 

 
2019 Gary Fox Memorial Award 
   
 
 
NEW DEADLINE:
May 17th 
 
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Gary Fox Memorial Designated/Managing Broker Award.
 
This award recognizes a Designated Broker or Managing Broker who serves as an example of loyalty, ethical behavior, and leadership in the real estate profession.

The deadline to submit applications to the SAR is Sunday, May 17th.

The 2019 Gary Fox Memorial Designated/Managing Broker Award honree will be announced and presented  at the SAR's annual REALTOR® Awards Luncheon at Ruby River Hotel (formerly Red Lion River Hotel) - date to be announced after we are allowed to gather in person again.


   

Download the award information/application packet (pictured above) online here




   
 
 

 
2020 James S. Black Memorial Scholarship 
   
 
 
NEW DEADLINE:
May 17th 
 
Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 James S. Black Memorial Scholarship.

This scholarship helps members pay for tuition and expenses leading to professional designations such as GRI, CRS, CPM, SIR, or MAI. 

The deadline to submit applications to the SAR is Sunday, May 17th.

The 2020 James S. Black Memorial Scholarship will be announced and presented  at the SAR's annual REALTOR® Awards Luncheon at Ruby River Hotel (formerly Red Lion River Hotel) - date to be announced after we are allowed to gather in person again.


   

Download the scholarship information/application packet (pictured above) online here




   
 
 

 
2020 SAR Legacy of Service Award 
   
 
SAR-100-Badge
 
 
NEW DEADLINE:
May 17th 
 
 
Your SAR is now accepting nominations for its 2020 SAR Legacy of Service Award.
 
This award is created as a "Lifetime Achievement" award to honor those REALTOR® members who are respected in our profession by colleagues and serve our profession through various Association committees.
 
Additionally, this award honors those who spend the majority of their years as active REALTORS® mentoring newer members, helping to define regulations within our field, all the while giving back to the community.
 
Nominations are due Sunday, May 17th. 
 
The 2019 SAR Legacy of Service Award will be presented at the SAR Awards Luncheon - date to be announced after we are allowed to gather in person again.    
 
 
  
 
  
Download the information/nomination form (pictured above) online here .  
 

 
SAR Professional Development 

SAR Professional Development 
 
 
Coming soon
to the SAR Virtual Classroom!   
   
 
SAR Professional Development classes will return, next week - temporarily in the SAR Virtual Classroom.
 
The instructors are the same trusted, knowledgeable, and friendly individuals you've come to know and enjoy.  
 
The classroom will be virtual for as long as the governor's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order remains in effect (at least through May 4th).  
 
Please be in touch with Tami at the SAR if you have any questions about these classes or your license education requirements, by phone at 326-9222 or by email.
 
 
 
 
 
Sabrina Jones-Schroeder - Purchase and Sale Agreements instructor 
Statewide Purchase and Sale Agreement
 
 
NEXT WEEK! 
 
Tuesday, April 21 & Wednesday, April 23 - Statewide Purchase & Sale Agreement - with Sabrina Jones-Schroeder.
 
Check-in: 8:15 a.m. 
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday; 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday.  
 
Live virtual class via Zoom (details will be emailed at least two days before the class)
 
7.5 clock hours (divided across two days of virtual instruction)   
 
 
 
 
   
 
Thursday, April 30 - Success Basics for Landlords and Property Managers - with Eric Bessett.
 
Check-in: 12:45 p.m.
Class: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Live virtual class via Zoom (details will be emailed at least two days before the class)
 
3.0 clock hours  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FREE!
  
 
NEW SAR MEMBERS may take the first Code of Ethics training at no charge on the NAR website during the governor's "Stay Home, Stay Well" order. 

New members are normally required to take their first Code of Ethics class in person at the SAR.

All Members are required to take a Code of Ethics class once in a three-year cycle; the current cycle ends December 31, 2021 .
 
Do you know if you're current?
 
You can check your status and take the class online right now. 
 
See what's available online here
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All SAR professional development is cancelled until further notice.
 
To stay current with your continuing education requirements, please visit The CE Shop - Washington REALTORS®' preferred vendor for online continuing education. 
 
These are state-approved, self-paced courses that you can take in the comfort of your own home or anywhere you have internet access. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In This Issue
Join us at the Presidents' Roundtable - TODAY!
Washington REALTORS® FAQ - UPDATED APRIL 1
2020 SAR REALTOR® Award Nominations
2020 Gary Fox Memorial Award
2020 James S. Black Memorial Scholarship
2020 SAR Legacy of Service Award
SAR Professional Development
SAR CALENDAR
TeleHealth Extended through May 31st
Home Price, Sales Strong
Form 22FM No Longer Advised
Free Virtual Listing Presentation
NAR 2020 Fair Housing Poster
City Librarians Take the Call
COVID-19 Spokane Community Resources
COVID-19 Local Information
Member Roster Update - March
Market Activity Report - February
NAR 2020 Census Poster

SAR CALENDAR
 
Click on the calendar image below to see
the current SAR calendar showing dates and times
of classes, committees, and events. 
 
 
 
 
 
Other regional calendars:
 
    
 
 
 
    
 
EXTENDED
through May 31st 
 
In the initial weeks of its introduction, more than 25,000 members and their families are receiving coverage through Members TeleHealthSM.  
 
Because of the tremendous response, NAR leaders have decided to extend the offer through May 31.  
 
The Leadership Team cited their strong feeling that REALTORS® and their families should have access to telemedicine at this time.  
 
Their message to members: "Stay home, stay safe. Nothing is more important than your health and welfare."  
 
Learn more about TeleHealth and sign up online here.  




 
   
The National Association of REALTORS® has relaunched its Right Tools, Right Now program, which offers several business resources-many of which are free-to members to help them in their business.  
 
Right Tools, Right Now offers access to webinars, tips for managing finances, educational resources, and more.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All National Association of REALTORS® COVID-19 resources are online here.




Home Price, Sales Strong 
 


Spokane County home sales remained strong in March, reflecting an abundance of market activity occurring prior to the corona-virus pandemic.

Spokane County home sales rose 19.4% compared to March 2019. More than 559 single-family homes and condominiums on less than 1 acre sold in March, compared with 468 homes a year prior, according to data from the Spokane Association of Realtors.


Spokesman-Review


 
Read the entire article in Tuesday's edition of The Spokesman-Review (pictured above), online here.





 
 
 
 
Form 22FM No Longer Advised 
 



NEW!

Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline attorney
Annie Fitzsimmons says Form 22FM no longer makes sense.
 
Annie had earlier recommended Brokers begin using the new form in contracts to manage risk under Force Majeure (an event or effect that can be neither anticipated nor controlled) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
While real estate transactions may be difficult now, they are no longer impossible. The need for this form, then, disappears - in most transactions.
 
See Annie's new eight-minute video on this form, online here:


Annie 04102020
Annie 04102020




 
 
 
 
Free Virtual Listing Presentation 
 


NEW!

Historically, many agents delivered listing presentations in person at the kitchen table.  
 
With COVID-19, that is not possible, but RPR has a way to do the next best thing -- deliver a customized, branded, virtual listing presentation and then use GoToMeeting, Zoom, Google Hangouts or even the Facetime feature on your phone to have the conversation you would normally have in person.
 



NAR 2020 Fair Housing Poster 
 


 
Fair Housing Month

Observed each April to commemorate the landmark 1968 Fair Housing Act in which U.S. law was established that prohibited discrimination in housing.

Annually, NAR creates a poster that state and local real estate associations may print, use or distribute to promote the REALTOR® commitment to Fair Housing.

NAR's 2020 Fair Housing poster (pictured above) is available online here.



 
 
 
 
City Librarians Take the Call 
 
NEW!

With its public libraries temporarily closed, the city has redeployed more than a dozen library employees to staff a new, regional helpline that will aid residents and businesses in navigating the complex web of assistance programs sprouting up to alleviate the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus.

The financial helpline can be reached at (509) 625-6650 and will operate Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and offer assistance to any individual or business in the area.




Read The Spokesman-Review article about this online here.


 
 
 
 
COVID-19 Spokane Community Resources
 



During the COVID-19 quarantine, questions crop up every day:

Can I apply for unemployment? 

 How can I feed my kids? 

Where  can I go with help for the rent? 

Here is a list of resources to help  Spokane-area residents navigate life during coronavirus compiled by The Spokesman Review COVID-19 Spokane Community Resources.

This full-page color effort offers a list of community resources that may be useful to you, someone in your family or immediate circle, or perhaps something you'd like to share with your clients just to keep in touch.





Download the PDF copy of the page (pictured above), online here.


 
 
 
 
COVID-19 Local Information  
 



Accurate, timely information is critical in times of public emergency - the closer to home the better.  
 
We offer two links to help you keep up to date on news and information about the COVID-19 situation on the ground in Spokane.
 
 
 
Spokane Regional Health District is the public health authority in Spokane County.   
 
It has the latest local details on this pandemic, as well as excellent collateral pieces to help you share accurate information about COVID-19 with your audiences. 
   
Click on the image below to go directly to that page:  
 



 
The Spokesman-Review is posting all of its COVID-19 local news reporting outside of its paywall through this pandemic.
 
You can also sign up for a COVID-19 newsletter that will send breaking news about local COVID-19 directly to your email box. 
 
Click on the image below to go directly to that page: 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Member Roster Update - March       
 


Updated for March
 
Click here to view the latest Member Roster Update (pictured above) - approved by the Board of Directors at its February meeting.
   
Send a message to Brenda at the SAR with any changes.  







Market Activity Report - March       
         

Market Activity Reports  
 
   
Updated for March 
  
 
The SAR Market Activity Report for March is now online.
 
See the latest full report - a member-exclusive product
- and archived full reports, online here .
 
 
 
 
   



See the March 2020   Market Snapshot Report
(pictured above) online here.






See the 2020 Year to Date Market Snapshot Report (pictured above),   online here.



NAR 2020 Census Poster  

    


Download NAR's 2020 Census poster (pictured above), online here.




Presented by your

Spokane Association

of REALTORS®  

 

Find us on Facebook 

 

 
See what's NEW at
    
 
Click here!  
  
Quick Information
2020 SAR Leadership
2020 SAR Committee Chairs

This weekly newsletter is a member benefit of the

SPOKANE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
  1924 North Ash Street 
Spokane, Washington 99205
T: 509. 326.9222
F: 509. 324.8650

REALTOR Logo