Message from the President,
by Donna Littlefield
Updated June 2, 2020
Dear REALTOR® Family:
NYS Re-Opening Phase 2 is upon us, (June 2, 2020? - This is subject to change!) Your office should have provided you with a copy of their broker Business Safety Plan as they re-open. This plan needs to be available in your office and you should be prepared to show it, in the event that any buyer/seller/agent/etc. asks to see it. For those of you who are S-Corps, you should certify on your own, and use your office’s Safety Plan.
For your information, here is the link to the detailed guidelines in which each office needs to certify before opening: Click Here for the PDF!
It is highly recommended that you review ALL the guidelines; however, I would like to highlight the more specific agent related topics.
Section D of the “I. - PEOPLE” Guidelines state:
D. Residential In-Person Property Showings and Related Activities
Responsible Parties may conduct in-person property showings while adhering to social distancing and required PPE safety guidelines. The following measures must be followed:Showings and open houses will only be allowed in unoccupied (e.g., current owner or lessee is not inside the property) or vacant properties;For all showings and open houses, Responsible Parties should limit the number of individuals viewing a property at any one time. If multiple parties (from different households) arrive for a showing at the same time, Responsible Parties should encourage those in line to wait outside until their turn.
As a best practice, appointments for showings should be scheduled in advance, when possible.Responsible Parties as well as all individuals (e.g. building inspectors / appraiser or potential buyer/lessee) visiting the property will be required to wear a face covering at all times, and Responsible Parties may choose to require gloves and shoe-covers to be worn;Responsible Parties should provide face coverings and gloves to prospective tenants and/or buyers, if necessary; Responsible Parties should advise prospective tenants/buyers to only touch essential surfaces (e.g. handrails going up/down stairs if necessary) during their time in the property. Other areas or surfaces such as cabinets, countertops, appliances etc. should not be touched by tenants/buyers.Responsible Parties must ensure employees, salespeople, agents and brokers clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces (e.g. handrails, doorknobs etc.) before and after every showing; andResponsible Parties must stagger showings in order to avoid the congregation of people outside and inside properties.
Responsible Parties are encouraged not to show common building amenities in-person (e.g. gym, roof deck, pool).If the common areas mentioned above are shown, Responsible Parties must ensure that those areas are frequently cleaned and disinfected and appropriate social distancing of 6 feet is maintained for all parties at all times.
Responsible Parties should encourage only one party (e.g. building inspector, home appraiser, prospective tenant/buyer, photographer, stager) to be allowed inside the property at a time. If more than one party is inside the property at the same time, 6 feet of distance must be maintained at all times between individuals, and face coverings must be worn.Responsible Parties and prospective tenants/buyers are encouraged not to bring young children or extraneous guests to property showings, when possible, or leave attended children outside.
Responsible Parties should limit salespeople / brokers from driving in the same car with prospective tenants / buyers. If this cannot be avoided, face coverings must be worn by everyone in the vehicle and frequently touched areas of the vehicle should be cleaned and disinfected.
Open houses must also only allow one party inside the property at a time.
Responsible Parties are encouraged, but not required, to conduct remote walkthroughs rather than in-person walkthroughs (e.g. recorded/live video), where possible
Under “II. PLACES” - C. Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection
Real estate salespeople are encouraged to make hand sanitizer available to potential customers before and after visiting a property.
Under III. PROCESSES A. Screening and Testing
For the purpose of property showings, Responsible Parties should:
Require buyer/lessee to complete screening questionnaire before entering a property;
Require seller/lessor to complete screening questionnaire before any individual enters their property;
Require seller/lessor to disclose if they become symptomatic and/or they test positive for COVID19 within 48 hours of the last visit to their property; and
Require buyer/lessee to disclose if they become symptomatic and/or they test positive for COVID-19 within 48 hours of the last visit to a property
Additional Helpful Links:
NYS Real Estate Summary Guide – This is a nice format to carry with you.
Coronavirus – A guide for REALTORS®(NAR)
COVID-19: Workplace Re-Entry Checklist (NAR)
The Executive Team and I wish you much success in Phase 2. Stay Safe and Healthy!
If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out me or any member of the Executive Team.
Sincerely,
Donna Littlefield
BNAR President 2020
Updated As of May 22, 2020.
The ESD guidelines are still in effect.
BNAR office is closed until further notice. However, Staff is working virtually and is ready to assist you! Please reach them via email using the following link!
For new member applications or for membership changes,please scan and email to mbrown@bnar.org. Please do not fax anything until further notice.
For Supra, we would like to remind you to be sure your app is updated. If you need to purchase lockboxes or need any other assistance, you can email Jordan at jmackey@bnar.org and she will make arrangements for you to pick up your box(es).
LINK TO NYSARS COVID FAQ's
Resources for PPE equipment
Dave's All Seasons Stores - 2675 Union Rd Cheektowaga NY & 1460 French Rd Depew NY
Chudypaper.com
2615 Walden Ave. Cheektowaga NY 14225
gordoncompaniesinc.com
Gordon Companies Inc., 85 Innsbruck Drive, Cheektowaga NY 14227
Cleaning Services
Green Genie – (greengeniewny.com) 75 Ludwig Ave #200, Cheektowaga NY 14227
New Heitz Site Services - 8644 Buffalo Ave Niagara Falls, NY 14304
List of County Health Departments
NYS Department of Health
Here are some Helpful Links to help independent contractors who are filing for unemployment insurance including weekly estimate calculator, FAQ's, and a sample online application as well as a resource guide.
Benefit Rate Calculator
Unemployment Insurance FAQ
Self Employed UI Guide
Resource Guide
Here is the PDF of FAQ's regarding the Paycheck Protection Program!
Link to the CARES ACT FAQ Document
NAR: Relief is on the way!
Congress Clears Coronavirus Rescue Bill Filled with REALTOR® Benefits
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 rescue package on Friday that has been sent to President Donald Trump for his signature, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
The bill contains numerous benefits for REALTORS®, which include unemployment eligibility for the self-employed and independent contractors; unprecedented aid for small businesses; and a delay in business payroll tax payments.
To read the entire NAR email in your browser, click here.
Link to the Unemployment Page for the Department of Labor
Here is the link to NYSAR's legal counsel Anthony Gatto's FAQ as it relates to Governor Cuomo's Executive Order https://www.nysar.com/news/coronavirus-resources/ this FAQ will be updated often, so please check it frequently. Our Leadership team is committed to communicating accurate and timely information. As of this morning there are no scheduled calls with NYSAR, this is the latest information. thank you, be safe and practice the CDC safety guidelines
Please check NYSAR.com for a new update from NYSAR. As of 8:00pm March 22, 2020, an Executive Order by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, restricts real estate licensees from working outside of their home.
Also, we are working with the Land Title, mortgage bankers/brokers and REBNY to have the Governor to add real estate closings to the list of essential services. Please check the website often for updates.
REALTOR for SCRUBS FLYER - Check out the how you can help and win a free MLS or BNAR Dues.
ONLINE CE, During this time if your agents need to fulfill their education requirements online, the CE Shop is offering a discount, link to the CE Shop - (Use the promo code: Support40).
Free Continuing Education
The New York State Association is offering free online required courses – Fair Housing, Agency Law and Ethics, which satisfy your license renewal and REALTOR membership requirements at no cost.
Go to: https;//www.nysar.com/education/online-education-options/
The NYS Department of State (DOS)
License Renewals - any license issued by the DOS that expires on or after March 27, 2020 shall remain in effect until May 26, 2020. The licensee will need to meet the requirements for renewal and submit their completed renewal application and fee by May 26, 2020 to avoid a lapse in license or registration.
Continuing Education Extension - If a licensee’s license expired on or before March 26 and they could not complete their continuing education due to a hardship, then they can submit a request to dosedmailing@dos.ny.gov and request an extension to complete their continuing education. There is NO waiver of the continuing education requirement. If the licensee is granted an extension then they have six months to complete their continuing education and return it to the Department with the extension letter they receive.
Visit the Licensing webpage for updates and guidance at https://www.dos.ny.gov
Erie County, New York
www2.erie.gov
State of New York
Coronavirus.health.ny.gov
New York State Association of REALTORS
www.nysar.com
National Association of REALTORS, Coronavirus Emergency Legislation
https://www.nar.realtor/political-advocacy/coronavirus-emergency-legislation-what-realtors-need-to-know
CDC
www.coronavirus.gov
NYSAR Legal Line – NYSAR has prepared an information piece with guidance on Open Houses and Showings. Please review if you have not done so already.
NAR's Coronavirus Resource Page updated regularly - Click Here!
This is a PDF/Downloadable version of the above page
Click the Fair Housing Logo to Watch the NAR Video
This video will highlight scenarios and provide risk management tips.
Is it time to Renew your License?
Here is a video to show you step by step how to renew your license at eAccessNY.
