Real Estate a “Critical Business” Under Colorado’s Stay-at-Home Order
Dear DMAR Members,
As of this morning at 6:00 AM, the State of Colorado has issued a mandatory stay-at-home order for all residents of Colorado, which will last through April 11 unless rescinded or modified. With this new state-wide order in place, the question everyone is asking is, “How will this impact REALTORS® and Industry Partners?”
As announced by the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (see their full message below) real estate has been classified as a “critical business” under Colorado’s stay-at-home order and, as such, our REALTOR® and Industry Partner members can continue offering services to clients as long as they comply with social distancing requirements and safety guidelines mandated by local and state officials.
We know many of you have specific questions as to what services you can and cannot offer at this time and we want to help answer those questions, as well as provide recommendations for you, as we navigate this situation together. If you have a question, please email communications@dmarealtors.com. We will work with legal experts and our state Association to answer as many questions as we can.
As a reminder, we also have our COVID-19 portal on our website as well as FAQs. These will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.
Thank you,
Euan Graham,
DMAR's Chairman of the Board
Ann Turner,
CEO of DMAR
A message from the Colorado Association of REALTORS®:
Your REALTOR® Voice Has Been Heard
Today, Governor Polis and the Department of Public Health and Environment has released an updated public health order in accordance with yesterday’s executive order implementing a statewide “stay-at-home” order, in effect from March 26 through April 11, 2020.
The public health order was updated to include a number of critical services that includes professional services, such as legal, title companies or accounting services, real estate appraisals and transactions.
This new update does include real estate as a “critical business” under Colorado’s stay-at-home order. This revision is a direct result of CAR’s regular communication with the Governor and his staff, including appeals to the Governor to consider inclusion of real estate as an essential service during this period.
Despite this revision, we want all Colorado REALTORS® to understand that with great power comes great responsibility. It is CAR’s perspective that this revision does not reflect “business as usual” for real estate in Colorado. The COVID-19 crisis and the drastic changes to our everyday lives that we are all experiencing must be taken extremely seriously and ALL Colorado REALTORS® should take extreme precautions whenever executing any part of their business. State and local mandates are a reflection of the incredibly serious nature of the global health risk and we have a responsibility to protect the public, our clients and business associates.
All services included in the public health order are subject to social distancing requirements and professionals are still encouraged to implement telework options and staggered schedules when possible. Read the updated order here.
Our commitment is to continue, as we have for decades, to be a part of the solution for our clients and our communities – limiting exposure, risk and helping to save lives through our actions.
Some additional recommendations:
- Implement the new COVID-19 Addendum on all current real estate transactions by checking BOTH boxes. Access the Covid-19 Addendum here.
- Contact clients to inform them of what they can expect during this period.
- Focus on organizing your business and checking in on the health and wellness of your clients.
- Contact your professional service providers to see what changes they have made due to the coronavirus.
- If you are encountering or are anticipating personal hardship, go to your county website and contact your mortgage company to see what tools and resources they have to assist you at this time.
- Follow COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and safety guidelines.
- Help others - volunteer in your community according to the COVID-19 guidelines.
