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DMAR Digest | Week of March 30

Check out the featured content, get the scoop with top news stories from the blog, mark your calendar for upcoming events & classes and catch up with the most buzz-worthy social posts from your Association.

COVID-19 updates

Update to Colorado's stay-at-home order allows real estate services to continue
Euan Graham, chairman of the board of directors for Denver Metro Association of REALTORS®, said the organization is "gathering additional clarity on real estate services deemed critical, as well as guidelines within these services." Read More

Message from DMAR: COVID-19 Recommendations & Guidelines
While DMAR is not in a position to provide legal advice to its members, we have prepared recommendations and guidelines for how we believe the real estate community should handle business at this time in a way that is truly safe for everyone involved. Read More

Important Update: Open Houses Temporarily Disabled
REcolorado has made the decision to temporarily disable the ability to enter Open Houses in REcolorado Matrix beginning today. Read More 

Shelter-in-Place Guidance During COVID-19
This is a checklist for brokers in response to these orders (Please note: Colorado's stay-at-home order recognizes real estate as an essential service) Read More

Virtual Tour Vendors offer Advice and Services to help REALTORS® and Home Sellers Stay Safe
REcolorado asked Colorado virtual tour vendors to share advice to keep real estate professionals, and their clients, safe while promoting their listing. Here’s what they said: Read more

Local title companies offering drive-thru closings for home buyers due to COVID-19 concerns
Local title companies across the state are now offering drive-thru closings to home buyers. They do most of the work over the phone. When they show up on closing day, they simply sign the documents from inside their cars. Read More

Announcement from The Appraisal Foundation: Communication is for information-sharing purposes only
The Appraisal Standards Board, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation recently issued new guidance. Read More

NAR Commends Protections for REALTORS®, U.S. Consumers in $2 Trillion Economic Relief Bill
As the House of Representatives’ voted Friday to send a historic COVID-19 relief package to President Trump, the National Association of REALTORS® published a comprehensive guide to the $2 trillion, 880-page bill educating REALTORS® on the many benefits secured by NAR. The nation’s largest trade association is also offering separate, evolving guidance to help its members navigate the crisis. Read More

Must read

President Trump Signs $2 Trillion Coronavirus Rescue Package Into Law

President Trump has signed a historic $2 trillion economic recovery package into law Friday afternoon, shortly after the House of Representatives approved the bill. In an Oval Office ceremony Friday, the president thanked Republicans and Democrats "for coming together, setting aside their differences and putting America first" to pass the legislation. Trump was joined by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. No Democrats were present at the signing. "We're going to keep our small businesses strong and our big businesses strong," Trump said of the legislation. "And that's keeping our country strong and our jobs strong." Trump went on to tout what he called the "greatest economy in the history of our country" prior to the arrival of the coronavirus.​ Read More

Quote of the week

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

Helen Keller, American author, political activist and lecturer​

We're still here for you

As you all know, DMAR offices are currently closed through April 17th and classes and meetings have been canceled through April 30th... but that doesn’t mean it’s good-bye. The entire DMAR staff is working remotely and still available to assist you by phone or email. If you are looking to reach a specific department or staff person, please refer to the staff directory here, or contact our main line at 303-756-0553 or email help@dmarealtors.com. Plus, we have plenty of online resources, available to you anytime, anywhere.

DMAR Offering REMOTE Buyer-Seller Dispute Resolution Services
Your clients can utilize this service for any dispute arising out of a real estate transaction including earnest money disputes. These services can also be provided remotely to you and your clients at this time. For more information please click here or contact Amber Alvarado, Professional Standards Administrator, at aalvarado@dmarealtors.com or 303-300-8489.  

COVID-19 Updates and FAQs
We know many of you have questions regarding COVID-19 and how it will affect your business. To help answer some of these unknowns, we've put together a list of FAQs, which you can view here. If you have additional questions please email communications@dmarealtors.com and we will do our best to provide an answer for you. We've also added a new landing page on our website dedicated to keeping you up to speed on the Colorado coronavirus outbreak. We will be updating this page regularly with information from the Governor as well as market implications and advice for REALTORS®, homebuyers, home sellers and your clients.

Follow us on Facebook for updates and news 
Now more than ever we are making it a top priority to continuously provide important updates and breaking news to our members. Be sure to follow us on FacebookTwitterLinkedIn and Instagram for trending news pertaining to COVID-19, the economy, our communities and our industry at-large. Online Classes to Fulfill Your Continued Education Credits
While in-person classes are a no-go at the moment, you still have plenty of options when it comes to your education. And while we're all spending a lot of time at home, now is a great time to catch up on some of the CE credits you may have been putting off.

Skim this

What You Need To Know About Expanded Unemployment Benefits For COVID-19
In an unprecedented move, the stimulus bill expands unemployment protections to gig workers, freelancers and self-employed individuals, who typically don’t qualify for unemployment benefits. Read More

Denver to Waive Property Tax Late Interest Through April 20
Effective immediately, Mayor Michael B. Hancock has instructed the Denver Department of Finance (DOF) to take full advantage of Governor Jared Polis’ Executive Order allowing for the waiving of late interest on property tax installment payments. Read More

REAL Trends Top 500 Brokerages 2020
Congratulations to the six DMAR brokerages that made the REAL Trends Top 500. We are extremely proud to see you on this list! Read More

A Record-Setting 3.3 Million People Filed For Unemployment
A record-setting 3,283,000 people filed for unemployment benefits for the week ending March 21. This represents an unprecedented increase of over 3,001,000 from the previous week's figures. It's the highest level of claims in reported history. Read More

Relief for DMAR Members During Challenging Times
SentriLock is extending the due date for all Denver Metro Association of REALTORS® members for three extra months, until August 1, 2020. Read More

A ‘New Normal’ for Pros in the Age of Coronavirus
Real estate professionals are increasingly becoming beacons of calm for their clients during these uncertain times. Read More

Home Builders Still Hammering Away but Fear a Slowdown Looms
Most parts of the country have allowed housing developments to continue, but other issues threaten to derail some projects. Read More

Just for you 

Three Tier Benefits | DocuSign

As a member of DMAR, you also gain access to member-only benefits and services from the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

DocuSign stands with REALTORS® as they work to navigate this new reality. Through April 15, DocuSign is offering new subscribers 3 months of their eSignature product for free - enabling you and your clients to remotely send and sign contracts and agreements. With the flexibility of DocuSign eSignature, you can send and sign documents on just about any device, anywhere, at any time. Here are two exclusive offers for NAR members through April 15:

3 Month Free Trial
Take a test drive of DocuSign’s Business Pro edition full feature plan at no charge for three months – two months longer than the traditional free trial. The plan includes all the features you need to keep the process moving. Plus, DocuSign’s resources will help you learn how to use their eSignature services most effectively and gain immediate value.

25% Off Prepaid Annual Plans
Take advantage of special pricing when you sign-up or upgrade by April 15. With this offer, pay $180/user/year for DocuSign for REALTORS® and $90/user/year for Real Estate Starter. For either option, make sure to select the “annual” option and use code NARSAVE25 at checkout. 
Learn More 

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