COVID-19
HELP
FOR REALTORS®
The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the real estate industry, both nationally and here in our beautiful Cache Valley community. Everything, from brokerage operations to how listings are being marketed and the ability to close transactions, is requiring REALTORS® to adapt to these extraordinary circumstances. We understand that these unprecedented circumstances are impacting our members’ ability to conduct their businesses. In deciding how to address new issues that may come up in your day-to-day business, we urge you to find answers that will ensure first-class services to your clients, while also demonstrating care for the health and well-being of clients, agents, and the greater public welfare in reducing the risk of exposure to and spread of COVID-19.
This information page is designed to bring you up-to-date information and will address frequently asked questions, action taken by state officials, and Association business. This guidance will be continually updated based on current directives from state officials, the CDC and the White House, and we encourage all members to stay informed by regularly visiting the CDC’s website and to comply with local and state government orders regarding coronavirus-related restrictions.
IMPORTANT VIDEO MESSAGE FROM
CACHE VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® PRESIDENT ROBERT BROWN
Robert offers an encouraging message to members, in addition to CVAR updates to
help boost members’ spirits during
challenging times.
NEW CONTENT AS OF APRIL 14, 2020
*UPDATE* TO PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
This is the final rule for the self-employed segment of the PPP participants, instructing banks on eligibility (very broad) and how to calculate the benefit amount.
Because of the unique business models of REALTORS® please seek counsel from your accountant or attorney as you apply.
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.
This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by coronavirus/COVID-19.
You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.
PPP Frequently asked questions… CLICK HERE
Final Rule / Additional Eligibility Criteria… CLICK HERE
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS TO HELP
The National Association of REALTORS® is putting members first with the right tools right now. Our strategic partners have embraced this initiative and worked with us to create meaningful and timely offers now available through REALTOR Benefits®.
2 Months of TeleHealth Provided by NAR
NAR is supporting you and your family by funding 2 months of access to Members TeleHealth as a benefit for those who do not currently have access to telemedicine. This innovative virtual healthcare solution is playing an essential role in the delivery of care today. Members TeleHealth provides 24/7/365 access to a network of more than 2,300 board-certified doctors who are specially trained to treat non-emergency medical issues via phone, tablet, or computer.
3 Months Free of DocuSign eSignature
DocuSign stands with REALTORS®. Through April 30th, DocuSign is offering new subscribers 3 months of their Business Pro plan for free, plus 25% off prepaid annual accounts — enabling you and your clients to remotely send and sign contracts and agreements.
NAR Transaction Management Benefit
Simplify real estate transactions with your comprehensive transaction management system provided by NAR, featuring zipTMS®, unlimited zipVault® document storage, an exclusive NAR library of REALTOR® Forms & Templates, and access to the industry’s number one forms engine, zipForm® Plus — all at no cost. If you’re having a hard time with finances lately, you may want to try your luck on sites like FM카지노.
MORTGAGE FORBEARANCE
Experiencing a short-term hardship? Forbearance may provide temporary payment relief to assist homeowners.
Forbearance is an option in which you and your mortgage company agree to temporarily suspend or reduce your monthly mortgage payments for a specific period of time. This option lets you deal with your short-term financial problems by giving you time to get back on your feet and bring your mortgage current.
Forbearance may be an option if you are:
- Behind on your mortgage payments or on the verge of missing payments
- Experiencing a temporary hardship
How does it work? Forbearance reduces your monthly mortgage payment—or suspends it completely—during the forbearance period. If you qualify for forbearance, you and your mortgage company will discuss the forbearance terms:
- length of forbearance period,
- reduced payment amount (if the payment is not suspended), and
- the terms of repayment.
After the forbearance period has ended, you will need to repay the amount that was reduced or suspended. However, there are a few options available if you qualify— make a one-time payment for the amount due (reinstatement); add a specific amount to your payments each month until the entire amount is repaid; or cure the past due amount through a modification.
ASSOCIATION BUSINESS
We are still available to serve our members!
We at CVAR are committed to do our part to help promote the health and welfare of our members and staff. As such, procedural changes will be made as needed due to the rapidly changing environment in our state. We will continue to provide resources for navigating these challenging times while offering the best service possible to our membership, as we observe appropriate social distancing practices. As such, the following procedures are now in effect:
The Association Office is now closed. Special services that require in office interaction (such as obtaining lockboxes, processing new members, etc) are now by appointment only. Any other non-essential business should be conducted via telephone, email or text.
- Email: info@cachevalleyrealtors.com
- Text: (833)560-0270
- Phone: (435) 753-1044 (we will be checking messages regularly)
All CE Classes have been cancelled or postponed through the end of April. Check the Association Snapshot webpage for more details.
Home Tour has been cancelled through the end of April.
Any meetings (committee, board or otherwise) will be conducted via ZOOM video conferencing. To request a meeting, please contact Emily at emily@cachevalleyrealtors.com.
COVID-19 ADDENDUM
This addendum extends contract deadlines due to unanticipated transaction delays due to COVID-19.
This is not a mandatory form and should only be used when needed. It does not need to be used in every transaction and it does not answer every question that may come up during this difficult time. The form simply provides for an extension in the event there are delays as a result of COVID-19. If you would rather not use this form that is fine too. Your clients can simply mutually agree upon any necessary extensions as needed using a blank addendum. This form will hopefully alleviate some concerns of buyers and sellers that are worried about the uncertainties we all are facing right now.
Many other states are producing their own addendum right now to deal with this situation. Some state’s COVID-19 addendum provides for an automatic cancellation. This Utah form does NOT do that. Rather, it provides for extensions of the F&A Deadline and Settlement if the seller or buyer are impacted by COVID-19.
FREDDIE MAC GUIDELINES
Freddie Mac offers single-family seller guidance related to COVID-19.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a rapidly evolving situation with significant economic implications and impacts to our Sellers and their Borrowers. In response to our Sellers’ questions and concerns, Freddie Mac has published a bulletin to assist with real estate transactions.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL BULLETIN
Freddie Mac has been working closely with Fannie Mae under the guidance of the FHFA to introduce these temporary measures to help provide Sellers with the clarity and flexibility to continue to lend in a prudent and responsible manner. We are actively monitoring the developments and will continue to issue additional guidance as appropriate.
POLICY BRIEF TO ELECTED LEADERS
Collectively, REALTOR® Associations across Utah have sent a policy brief to government leaders asking them to identify real estate as an “essential service” during COVID-19.
As municipal and state governments continue to institute “stay at home” orders around the country in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many government entities are trying to determine what types of services are deemed “essential” and should remain operational. Beyond the obvious healthcare industries, sanitary works, and public necessities (police, fire, etc.), there is some debate as to what other services are deemed essential.
This brief will outline: 1) what factors should be considered when deciding if a service is considered essential, 2) the economic impact the real estate community has on Cache County and the State of Utah, and 3) steps the real estate industry has already taken to address the COVID-19 outbreak in a safe and responsible manner.
R.E. TRANSACTION GUIDANCE
Helpful information and resources for REALTORS® on how to navigate a real estate transaction during COVID-19.
The National Association of REALTORS®, along with the CDC, has published a list of helpful tips and resources to help REALTORS® navigate a real estate transaction during COVID-19.
This is general guidance only. Members should consult their brokers, legal counsel, and government-provided public health information. In addition, check with your MLS for any changes to open house and showing fields, or other temporary rules in place due to local conditions.
In deciding how to address new issues that may come up in your day-to-day business, we urge you to find answers that will ensure first-class services to your clients, while also demonstrating care for the health and well-being of clients, agents, and the greater public welfare in reducing the risk of exposure to and spread of COVID-19. CLICK HERE TO VIEW.
OPEN HOUSE GUIDANCE
Helpful information and resources for holding open houses during COVID-19.
Before holding an open house, members should consult with their brokers, and consider how federal, state and local authorities’ recommendations and actions, such as “shelter in place” mandates, impact the advisability, and even permissibility of open houses.
NAR strongly encourages members to consider the advisability of continuing to hold open houses at this time, especially in light of the guidance and actions of federal, state and local authorities, including “The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America recommending that gatherings of ten or more persons be avoided. The National Association of REALTORS® has published helpful information when considering open houses. CLICK HERE TO VIEW.
STIMULUS - COVID-19 AID PACKAGE
On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed a $2 trillion federal stimulus package (the largest in U.S. history) by an historic 96-0 vote.
The Bill now goes to the U.S. House of Representatives (vote expected Friday, March 27) and then the President. Dorsey has been closely studying the language which, as passed by the Senate, provides many important measures discussed here. We’ll continue to update this information as the Bill moves to final passage. We encourage you to directly contact those listed in this article for any questions or updates.
After the U.S. House of Representatives enacted the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (“FFCRA”) on March 18, 2020, the U.S. Senate turned to federal economic relief, focusing on the novel coronavirus and the related illness’s (“COVID-19’s”) continued impacts on the economy and taxpayers. The Senate Bill represents a compromise with the White House (referred to here as the “Stimulus Act”).
Bill sections of particular interest to our REALTORS® can be found in the article. CLICK HERE TO VIEW.