Message from DMAR: COVID-19 Recommendations & Guidelines

Dear DMAR Members,

Now that Colorado is under a strict stay-at-home order and our real estate has been categorized as a “critical business,” our REALTOR® and Industry Partner members are able to continue offering services to clients as long as they comply with social distancing requirements and safety guidelines mandated by local and state officials. But even with this announcement, we know that many of you are unsure how to work under these strict regulations and there is some confusion around what services you can and cannot provide.

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. If you have specific questions regarding a transaction or business practice, please reach out to your managing broker.

DMAR’s Recommendations for REALTORS® Working During the COVID-19 Situation

1. Make sure to study the CDC guidelines and advise your clients to abide by them.
2. Follow Colorado’s stay-at-home order. If you do not have to conduct business right now, then you should be staying home.
3. Do not host open houses. REcolorado took a strong lead on this by temporarily disabling the ability to enter open houses in Matrix right now.
4. Only work with clients who truly need to buy or sell right now. If your buyer or seller can wait, provide guidance and perhaps suggest temporarily pausing a listing. The risk of working with people who do not truly need to be buying or selling is not worth it.
5. If you do have a client who you feel needs to buy/sell right now, look for alternative ways to show and view properties that do not put anyone’s health at risk. Utilize virtual tours and all the technology at your disposal so you can provide a service from the safety of your home.
6. Showings should only take place for buyers who need to buy right now and who have screened the properties before an in-person showing takes place.
7. Do not solicit new clients or work. Use your best judgment here.
8. Use your expertise and experience in providing advice that will help your clients make good decisions.

Recommendations for Industry Partners

1. If you provide a critical service for a real estate transaction such as an inspection or appraisal, then we feel you can continue to provide services so long as you too follow the CDC guidelines and social distancing.
2. If you provide a service that perhaps can be put on hold right now, we would suggest doing so or finding an alternative way to provide your service without having to interact with anyone in person.

As leaders in our community, we must rise to the occasion and do our part to help stop the spread of this virus. In order for all of us to conduct business safely, each of us needs to use their best judgment and err on the side of caution if at all in doubt.

If you have additional questions, please email communications@dmarealtors.com and we will do our best to provide an answer.

Stay safe and stay healthy!

Euan Graham,
DMAR’s Chairman of the Board