A recent LA Times article points out in great detail that a COVID-19 outbreak is re-emerging in LA County, with infections spreading rapidly and ICU space becoming scarce in area hospitals. This has prompted statements from Governor Newsom that he may take steps to reverse the state’s reopening, as LA County emerges as the epicenter of the new outbreak.
As you go about your business, it is important to keep the safety of yourself and your clients top of mind and to abide by all applicable state, local and national regulations and best practices when meeting with your colleagues and clients.
Here are a few reminders to keep top of mind:
Always provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to clients, and always wear a mask when meeting with other people. Governor Newsom’s statewide mask mandate applies to the real estate industry. Masks or face coverings should always be worn when interacting with clients and colleagues, and it is a best practice to provide masks, gloves and hand sanitizer at any in-person showings, meetings or open houses. All parties entering a listing should always be wearing masks throughout the showing.
If you need to restock on PPE, the REALTOR® Team store stocks a wide variety of PPE at discounted pricing, including bulk purchases.
Limit printed material at showings or open houses - direct clients to online information about the listing. Removing printed information limits the number of items that are touched during a showing or open house. Direct clients to information about the property via a mobile app, website or scannable QR code so they may view information on their mobile devices.
Refrain from providing food or refreshments at open houses or showings.
Listings should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between showings. Clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops and light switches. Prior to showing, open all doors and turn on lights to reduce touch points and advise clients to refrain from touching items at the listing. Wash hands or sanitize before (and after) touring the property.
Adjust your showing schedule to minimize overlap and allow ample time for cleaning. Leave enough time in between showings to clean and sanitize the listing and for one party to leave the property before the other arrives. For more information, consult state guidance here.
Utilize as many remote or virtual tools as possible. Utilizing virtual tours, mobile apps, paperless transaction management tools such as zipForms and minimizing the amount of face-to-face contact in your business helps limit the spread of coronavirus.
If you have questions about how to safely conduct your business, please consult with your broker.
Resources for helpful information and guidance on COVID-19 and real estate:
California State Guidance on Real Estate
