Weekly Notices
Friday, May 1, 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 
 
 

BREAKING NEWS: GOVERNOR INSLEE TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE AT 2:30 p.m. TODAY

  
Govern or Inslee is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1, to detail a phased-in approach to relaxing his "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order. We highly encourage REALTOR® members to tune in. You can watch the Governor's press conference live online at TVW .
 


 
 
 
 
TODAY - FRIDAY, MAY 1st! 
1:30 p.m.
LIVE on Zoom 
 
 
Join 2020 SAR President Tom Clark and his guest, James Young - director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research - as they meet at the virtual round-table this Friday, May 1st, to talk about New Normals for Real Estate.
 
   
Questions may be emailed in advance to: dwatkins@spokanerealtor.com, or asked live via chat during the event on Friday.  
 
To join the round-table, click on the Zoom button below and enter password 451312.

 
 
 
Or, go to Zoom and enter these credentials: 
 
     Webinar ID: 865 7536 0944
    Password: 451312
 
Or, copy and paste this link in your browser, then enter password 451312
 
   
 
 
The event will be recorded and posted to the SAR YouTube page. You can watch it online here any time after the event concludes:
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
SAR photo
 
 
LAST WEEK'S ROUND-TABLE
  
 
The photo above shows a view of our administrator's screen during last week's round-table event - with about 200 live visitors, four panelists, a chat room manager and presenter's slides. Another 100 visitors have watched the video since the event ended. 
 
Thank you SAR IT Director Edward Chovgan for conducting our event like a virtual symphony, and sharing this photo of his desk during the event (above)! 
 
2020 SAR President Tom Clark convened his fifth President's Roundable discussion, last week, with a Q&A session on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and a presentation on how the pandemic has impacted local businesses.
 
Tom's guests were: 
 
  • Suzan "Suze" LeVine
    Commissioner, Washington State Employment Security Department

  • Steve Scranton
    Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer & Economist, Washington Trust Bank  
  • Mike Crowley
    Owner/broker, Spokane Home Buyers
 
 
   
The video of that conversation is online here - it's about 1-hour and 20-minutes long :
 
 
Round table #5 
Round table #5
   
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
SAR-100-Badge
 
All Spokane Association of REALTORS® COVID-19 resources are online here.  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Your SAR Governmental Affairs Committee shares these important updates: 
  • Spokane County has agreed to resume Building and Sewer Inspections following the Governor's agreement to restart construction.
  • This after Governor Inslee has lifted the quarantine order for some Residential Construction projects.
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGING BROKERS:  
 
Have you received a government loan/grant to help keep your business going during the COVID-19 shut-down?
 
If so, we invite you to be a guest on next week's President's Round-table to share how this is working for you.
 
Please email SAR Public Affairs Director Tom McArthur
 
 
 

   
 
 
NEW!
 
 

Filing for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) opened last week, which allows independent contractors and self employed individuals to qualify for a claim.

 
The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) expects as many as one-million claims to be filed this week alone.
 
ESD hosted an explainer webinar for Washington REALTORS®, last week.  
 
We offer the webinar recording, webinar slides, and an FAQ document online below:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Contact the SAR if you wish this presentation in a different format)  
 
 
 
 
Watch the webinar video here (it runs about an hour):
 
 
Webinar 4/23/20 - How to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance 
Webinar 4/23/20
How to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.

 


 
 


 
 
NAR photo
 
   
NEW!


Millions of independent contractors and other self-employed individuals, including a large share of the nation's 1.4 million REALTORS®, may now be eligible for unemployment benefits under the recently passed CARES Act.  
 
Through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, you may now qualify for unemployment benefits for up to 39 weeks if you've suffered a loss of income, either completely or partially, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
 
 
Learn more in REALTOR® magazine, online here.
    
This article links back to the same information provided above, but it is interesting to see it from a national perspective. 
 
 

 
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 
 
   
SAR Professional Development is temporarily being offered in the SAR Virtual Classroom.
 
The instructors are the same trusted, knowledgeable, and friendly individuals you've come to know and enjoy.
 
Your business continues so your association's business of supporting you continues, as well.   
 
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.
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
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!
WR: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
NAR: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
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
Live Stream Open House
"It Will Bounce Back."
NEW FORM: COVID-19 Notice
Second-quarter MLS Fee Relief
TeleHealth Extended through May 31st
Legal Hotline: Showing Protocol
NAR: REALTORS® Legislative Meetings
Member Roster Update - March
Market Activity Report - March

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:
 
    
 
 
 
    
Paragon Adds Live Stream Open House

 
     
NEW!
 
Itching to hold an open house this spring but holding off until it's safe to do so?
 
You can go ahead and do that today - if you hold a Live Streaming Open House or a Live Steaming Tour!  
 
Live streaming is sharing video to a live audience through the internet. This is different from uploading the video to the web and the viewers downloading a full video's data before watching it (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo).  
 
Use this new feature to host a Live Stream Open House for the Public or to schedule a Live Stream Tour (Broker Open) for a group of agents in your area.   
 
Homebuyers or agents can join your Live Stream Open House/Tour and view video via the camera on your phone, or via a shared presentation.  
 
Anyone who joins will generally be able to ask you questions in real time. 
 
Your SAR has prepared a resource page to help you get started on your first Live Stream Open House:
 






"It Will Bounce Back."

KREM photo

     
NEW!
 
'It'll bounce back."   
Experts predict Spokane housing market will recover following corona virus pandemic
 
Experts predict Spokane housing market will become resilient after going through periods like 9/11 and the 2008 recession.
 
 
See the report on KREM news, online here.  






NAR is calling the Housing Market Slump Temporary.

"As consumers become more accustomed to social distancing protocols, and with the economy slowly and safely reopening, listings and buying activity will resume, especially given the record low mortgage rates," said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist (pictured left).

"The usual Spring buying season will be missed, however, so a bounce-back later in the year will be insufficient to make up for the loss of sales in the second quarter," he said. "Overall, home sales are projected to have declined 14% for the year."

Read more in the NAR Newsroom online here.




The most recent REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey for March shows many real estate professionals don't foresee a significant drop in home prices from the COVID-19 pandemic, and certainly not to the degree of the Great Recession's impact on the housing market.

For residential property prices over the next 12 months, 38% of more than 4,000 REALTORS® say they expect prices to increase and 23% expect prices to remain stable.

Read the full report (pictured) online here.






NEW FORM: COVID-19 Notice



 
    
IMPORTANT!
 
The SAR Board of Directors just approved a new COVID-19 Notice form to be used. It is being added to TransactionDesk and ZipForm platforms but in the interim we have a fillable pdf so you can start using it until the electronic forms are posted.
 
Please read the Memo from Brian Balch, Layman Law Firm, PLLP and legal counsel on the SAR Forms Committee, explaining the Notice.
    
 
   
 
   
 
 
 



Second-quarter MLS Fee Relief


 
FEE RELIEF
   
Your second-quarter MLS Fee was due at the end of March .
 
HOWEVER - your SAR Board of Directors, meeting in emergency session, last week, approved one-time fee relief because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
 
This gives all members a 60 day extension on this deadline.
 
While MLS Fees remain due and payable now, no one will be cut off for non-payment until after May 31st.
 
If you'd like to take care of this now, click on the button below:
 



 
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.




Legal Hotline: Showing Protocol 
 



NEW!
 
Washington REALTORS Legal Hotline attorney
Annie Fitzsimmons just posted a video to answer a common question regarding how many people can access a property at one time during the Covid-19 Stay Healthy, Stay Home order.
 
How many do you think is appropriate?
 
Watch the video to learn the correct and legal answer - it's about six-minutes long:
 
 
 
Legal Hotline: Showing Protocol April 24, 2020 
Legal Hotline: Showing Protocol April 24, 2020
   




 
 
 
 
NAR: REALTORS® Legislative Meetings 
 

NOW!
 
NAR's 2020 Legislative Meetings began with virtual committee meetings this week; virtual conference sessions begin May 12th.
 
If time or cost have prevented you from participating in the past, perhaps this year's virtual sessions will be to your advantage for exploring what NAR is doing for your business on the national level.  



REALTORS ® Legislative Meetings
 
Virtual Committee Meetings: April 27-May 15
 
Virtual Conference Sessions: May 12-14
 

 



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.




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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

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