Addicted Realty Cares: Response to COVID-19
Since the onset of COVID-19, we, as a global community, have been challenged with moving forward each day in spite of so many unknowns surrounding this disease. Each day brings additional information and additional uncertainty. One thing this is certain, is that Addicted Realty CARES. We care about our community. We care about our clients. We care about our agents and REALTORS®. And we care about our staff members.
As real estate professionals, we are accustomed to being “the source of the source” with matters which are beyond the scope of our license. As we are neither medical doctors or scientists, we won’t try to pass off any disease prevention tips as our own. The National Association of REALTORS® has published the Coronavirus Guidance for REALTORS® and we encourage each of our agents and staff members to review the informative document. Be mindful that information and recommendations may change and evolve. So, check your resources frequently for the latest updates and suggestions.
Each day, it seems we are facing a new reality as a result of the developing progression of COVID-19. We are publishing this information to assist our staff members, agents and clients stay safe during this situation. Afterall, without healthy agents and REALTORS®, we won’t have anyone to help our clients buy, sell, or rent property.
We encourage our staff members, agents, REALTORS® and clients to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has outlined the following Steps to Prevent Illness:
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- Wash your hands often. Use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid shaking hands and hugs.
- Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face. This includes your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cleaning and disinfections surfaces and frequently touched surfaces and objects.
- Stay home if you are sick.
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As professionals in the real estate industry, we must take special care to treat all clients, potential clients, co-workers and members of the public equally and without implicit biases, prejudices, or discrimination. As a company, we understand that COVID-19 is a global pandemic that sees no borders. Our agents are instructed to be mindful of their obligations under state and Federal Fair Housing regulations. We do not condone discrimination of any form against any segment of the population.
We encourage our agents to have an ongoing open dialogue with their clients about the client’s current health status as well as their recent travel history. If a client, or a member of their household, is sick or has traveled within the past 14 days to an area of the world that has experienced COVID-19 activity, it may be a good idea to postpone any meetings until the overall situation improves.
As mentioned above, we do not condone discrimination of any sort. If an agent, REALTOR® or staff member chooses to ask a client any screening questions regarding their health or travel history, those same screening questions must be asked of ALL clients. If an agent chooses to modify their business practices in light of COVID-19, such modifications must be made across the board – with all clients.
Any screening questions or business practice modifications should be based on factual information from official sources. Please do not rely on the media to provide raw information. The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes a daily COVID-19 situation report which provides factual information on the current course of the virus. The current report, as well as the archive of daily reports, can be found online here. If you have any questions regarding Fair Housing, please consult with one of our Brokers.
Addicted Realty is a locally owned and operated company as well as members of the community. As accountable professionals, we are taking the following action steps immediately to do our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19:
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- Postponing all classroom based training sessions scheduled for March 2020.
- Conducting all internal training sessions / classes virtually.
- Requiring agents & staff members who exhibit any sign of illness to remain at home.
- Enforcing social distancing at our office locations.
- On-site staff members are expected to work in their own private offices and limit in-person visitors.
- Enhancing our cleaning procedures to disinfect frequently touched surfaces more often.
- Prohibiting “finger foods” or other self-service food items in the office or at Open Houses.
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As we continue to monitor the situation, we may make adjustments based on the recommendations of local, state and federal health authorities. We see no cause for panic and shall continue to communicate with our agents, staff and clients to keep everyone informed and to minimize disruption to our lives. Our management team is implementing business continuity plans to ensure we are able to service our clients and our agents during the rapidly changing situation. We apologize for any inconvenience our temporary procedures may cause and ask for your understanding and cooperation in doing our part to stop COVID-19.
As Governor Sisolak was declaring a state of emergency in Nevada, he indicated that there was no need at this point, to stop our daily lives. We can safely continue to meet with clients, show property, market our services, and help people with their homeownership goals. The real estate market in Southern Nevada is healthy and our economy is poised to weather this brief interruption.
For the additional information regarding COVID-19, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov or the World Health Organization at www.who.gov.
LINKS
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Steps to Prevent Illness
World Health Organization
Coronavirus Disease – COVID-19 – Situation Reports
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/National Association of REALTORS®
Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS®
Las Vegas Review Journal
Governor Sisolak Declares State-of-Emergency
https://www.facebook.com/reviewjournal/videos/2749937701728685/