It’s Friday, let’s sweep! | roadmap to recovery

Welcome to Friday everyone! It’s a national holiday in our house – kids home – games on – brackets are hopefully not busted in the first round. On the real estate front, our industry was given what Phase 3 looks like for us. If you missed it – clarity below. I want to focus today’s post on this to be sure we are all on the same page. Our roadmap to recovery is beginning to show signs of a renewed sense of further opening. Good job everyone; we all play a vital role in this happening! Please do stay vigilant with our actions. Go Slow, Do No Harm.

Phase 3: COVID-19 Real Estate Protocols

Effective Monday, March 22nd

On March 11th, Governor Inslee announced changes to the “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery.”  The plan will transition from a regional approach to a county-by-county evaluation process.  

Effective Monday, March 22nd, the entire state will enter a new third phase of the Roadmap.  In Phase 3, the following changes will apply to the real estate industry:

• Capacity for real estate offices, including guests, is limited to 50% or lower.  Appointments are not required for clients to visit real estate offices.  Remote meetings with clients are encouraged.
• This is a change from 25% capacity and required appointments for clients to visit real estate offices.
• In-person brokerage activities at the property (showings, inspections, etc.) are permitted by appointment with no more than ten (10) people on site, in addition to the broker, with face coverings, strict social distancing and proper sanitation measures. 
• This is a change from five people on site, in addition to the broker.

*Please note that the current Phase 2 protocols remain in place until March 22nd.* [aka, this weekend]

As a reminder, following protocols will continue apply to all in-person activities (previews, showings, listing appointments, inspections, walk-throughs, appraisals, etc.):

• In-person activities must be by appointment only;
• Face coverings are required to be worn at all times by real estate brokers, their clients, and industry partners (e.g. appraisers, inspectors, photographers, stagers, etc.). Brokers may not provide services to any client who does not wear a face covering.
• Those persons must strictly follow social distancing guidelines by remaining at least six feet apart at all times.

In addition, in-person open houses are permitted.  For in-person open houses, brokers must ensure that no more than ten (10) people are on site, in addition to the broker, and that all other required protocols are followed (face coverings, social distancing, sanitation, etc.)

What else happened this week? Well, a lot. We’ll digest more of that next week. We are navigating forms changes & best practices along with. A virtual Genuine Hustle happened – my first time attending. Ps, these events are curated by agents for agents – cool concept! There is something more to that & has me thinking about our gatherings. Standards of Practice happened – looking forward to digesting the notes and amplifying in another podcast. Launch of real estate review templates happened. Hosted my first FWL virtual book club. Witness to outside & socially distant broker meet up in an office parking lot – brilliant! The market leaves no lack of content and let’s be honest, we are tired of zoom.

And something I’ll leave you with as our roadmap to recovery moves along…remember one year ago when we all doubled down on reaching out to people and checking in on them? It was such a natural and right thing to do. Checking in on our fellow human beings. It’s not too late; do it again. What we all have endured over this past year – we all endured in some way. Who did you connect with early on when the pandemic hit? Let’s reflect on that. Who are the top 5 people that helped you endure? Thank them. These next actions will too be part of our roadmap to recovery. It’s happening!

…and a look at last night as I prepped for Friday, there was some serious “family business” happening post dinner. #bracketology It’s March. It’s Madness.

All in, for you. All in, for us. – Laura