PHASE 2 GUIDANCE IN THE REAL ESTATE WORLD

NYSAR has gifted the real estate community with several recommendations and helpful tips in regards to New York state moving on to phase 2! There are several mandatory requirements that the associated licensees are responsible to uphold in hopes to reopen New York in the safest way possible.

IN-PERSON CONTACT GUIDANCE

• Brokers are encouraged, but not required, to conduct remote walkthroughs rather than in-person walkthroughs (e.g. recorded/live video), where possible.
• Whenever possible, activities should be conducted remotely with consumers.
• Whenever in-person contact occurs with a consumer, the licensee should be wearing an appropriate face covering and maintain social distancing.

INTERACTION WITH CUSTOMERS

• Licensees must limit in-person gatherings with consumers to the greatest extent possible and use other methods such as video or teleconferencing whenever possible. When videoconferencing or teleconferencing is not possible, licensees should hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces and ensure that individuals maintain six feet of social distance between one another and wear appropriate face coverings.
• Licensees should avoid 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.

IN-PERSON SHOWINGS

• 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.

OPEN HOUSES

• Although the Guidance Documents permits open houses, it includes restrictions.
• Only one party may be inside the property at a time. The licensee needs to be sure no other parties can enter.
• Licensees choosing to hold a traditional open house run the risk of multiple parties congregating outside the property waiting for their turn to view the property or attempting to enter the property while another party is inside. Licensees should make every attempt to schedule showing times for an open house to avoid such issues.
• Licensees should not dispose of PPE at the property where the open house is held.