Message from the President,
by Donna Littlefield
Updated July 8, 2020
Dear REALTOR Family:
As REALTORS, we have a duty to protect the public and our fellow REALTORS. BNAR Staff and I are receiving numerous calls/emails about members not following the NYS Guidelines from fellow agents, sellers and buyers! Seller's are taking their properties off the market due to the unprofessional actions of these members. Inappropriate actions such as: toys being played with, bathrooms used, items moved, etc.) We don't need less inventory on the market due to these issues. The public is trusting us with their most valuable possession and their health! PLEASE follow through with the NYS mandatory and recommended practices below; IF WE DO NOT START ADHERING TO THE GUIDELINES REAL ESTATE WILL POTENTIALLY BE STOPPED:
Mandatory:
Showings are only allowed in unoccupied or vacant properties (e.g. current owner or lessee is not inside the property).
All individuals visiting the property will be required to wear a face covering at all times.
Replace or clean and disinfect gloves after every showing (as applicable).
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces (e.g. handrails, door knobs etc.) before or after every showing.
Stagger showings in order to avoid the congregation of people outside and inside properties.
Recommended:
Gloves and shoe-covers are recommended in addition to face coverings.
Provide face coverings and gloves to prospective tenants and/or buyers, if necessary.
Sellers/lessees are advised to open all necessary doors and cabinets as well as turn on all light switches to ensure minimal touching of surfaces by outside parties.
Advise prospective tenants/buyers to only touch essential surfaces (e.g. handrails going up/down stairs if necessary) during their time in the property.
Limit showing of common building amenities in-person (e.g. gym, roof deck, pool).
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 ft. of distance must be maintained at all times between individuals, and face coverings must be worn.
Prospective tenants/buyers are encouraged not to bring young children to property showings, when possible, or leave attended children outside.
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.
Conduct remote walkthroughs rather than in-person walkthroughs (e.g. recorded/live video)
Ensure real estate salespeople provide hand sanitizer to potential customers before and after visiting property.
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 July 10, 2020.
The ESD guidelines are still in effect.
The BNAR Office has reopened on June 15 under Phase 2 ESD Guidelines. The office will be available to members by appointment.
Please call our office at 636-9000 to make an appointment.
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
REALTOR Team Store
narteamstore.realtor
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 -
Effective March 27, 2020, any license, that expires after that date, shall remain in effect until August 6, 2020. Further, the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, has advised that appraisers within New York have been granted a 90-day deferment for meeting continuing education requirements. Any license holder that is eligible to renew and does not need the extension is encouraged to do so; all other license holders may rely on the above extensions. Please note licensees who submit a renewal after the expiration date printed on their license but by August 6, 2020 will see a change in their license term dates upon renewal, however, our office will maintain a record of the EO extension and your license will considered continuous licensure for this period.
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.
