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CCAR Coronavirus Update

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COVID-19
UPDATES
CCAR offices closed. We continue serving you remotely.

In response to the statewide Shelter in Place Order, CCAR offices in Walnut Creek and Richmond are closed until further notice. We continue to provide uninterrupted membership services via remote access, with the exception of in-store purchases. We wish you the best of health during this time and will continue to serve you at the highest levels possible.

CA DRE Testing Sites Closed Until Further Notice

The Department of Real Estate has extended the closure of all testing sites and recommends examinees to check for updates in the coming weeks.

DRE also warns licensees to beware of a new scam targeting real estate professionals. Details in the link below.

DRE COVID-19 Updates >
DRE FAQ >
Industry Advisory >

New PPP Forgiveness Form for Small Loans

For NAR members who borrowed $50,000 or less through the Paycheck Protection Program, it is now easier to receive automatic loan forgiveness. These smaller loans now require less documentation and fewer calculations than the previous process.
More >

COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020

When a tenant has not paid rent for any period between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021, the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020 (“Rent Relief Law”) will allow most residential tenants to remain in the rental property through January of 2021 as long as the tenant makes a declaration under penalty of perjury that they are unable to pay their rent or meet other financial obligations because of circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More >

New Co Co County Urgency Order Imposes Fines Up to $1,000

Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed an Urgency Ordinance (No. 2020-21) that establishes administrative fines for violations of public health orders pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fines can be imposed on businesses and individuals.
More >

CCAR Offices Closed Again; Remote Services Still Available

In response to the new State of California variance to the Shelter-in-Place Order, CCAR offices in Walnut Creek and Richmond will be closed until further notice. Despite office closures, we will continue to provide uninterrupted membership services, including regularly scheduled committee meetings, via remote access.

Lockboxes:
Available by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00am – 3:00pm. Call 925.295.1270 to pre-pay schedule an appointment. All appointments must be made at least one day in advance.

Real Estate Shop Products:
Call 925.295.9226 on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9am-3pm to check your requested item is in stock, pre-pay, and schedule an appointment for pickup.

Laptop Services:
Need a laptop tune-up or want to purchase a new REALTOR® optimized laptop from CCAR? Call 925.295.1270 to schedule an appointment. Most tune-ups can be completed remotely. All CCAR members receive 1 FREE laptop tune-up every 12 months (~$139 value)!

CCAR Member Services:
Mon – Fri  |  8:30am – 5:00pm
925.295.1270
[email protected]

 Resources:
   •  State County Variance Info
   •  Essential Services Info
   •  C.A.R. Best Practices

Posted “Rules of Entry” in the MLS

In C.A.R.’s Best Practices Guidelines covering the Stage 2 Expansion are the “Posted Rules for Entry” requirements. One of which is that the “Posted Rules for Entry” or a link to them should be part of online public and MLS listings. This shall be made available by the listing agent, if any.

To assist you with adhering to the C.A.R. Best Practices, the CCAR MLS will allow the placement of links to unbranded “Posted Rules for Entry” within the Public Remarks section and branded “Posted Rules for Entry” within the Confidential Remarks in the MLS as an interim solution.

On May 8, the Department of the Public Health issued its “Industry Guidance: Real Estate Transactions,” which among other things, requires agents to post rules on the property – with pictograms — that must be agreed to as a condition of entry by all people viewing the property.  C.A.R. is in the process of creating a comprehensive approach that will allow any brokerage to comply with all aspects of the new Industry Guidance. 

As an interim measure, C.A.R. is making this “Interim Rules Form” available. Posting both this C.A.R. PRE pictogram and the PEAD form (found via zipForm) together at the entrance to a property, will assist agents and brokers in complying in part with the new Industry Guidance until the comprehensive approach is released.  
| C.A.R. PRE Pictogam > 

Click the title to expand information.

LIMITED LOCKBOX SERVICES 
Lockboxes are available by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00am – 3:00pm. Call 925.295.1270 to pre-pay schedule an appointment. All appointments must be made at least one day in advance.


REAL ESTATE SHOP PRODUCTS
Call 925.295.9226 on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9am-3pm to check your requested item is in stock, pre-pay, and schedule an appointment for pickup..


REMOTE LAPTOP SERVICES
You may schedule a 1:1 or laptop tune-up appointment by contacting CCAR Member Services at 925.295.1270 or [email protected]. Laptop sales are also available by appointment only. 

   
REMOTE MARKETING MEETINGS
Marketing Meetings are now conducted via Zoom. Please contact respective groups for more information:

CCRIM: Register via Facebook  >
RMA: Register via Facebook  >
Rossmoor: Mary Beall   >
West County: Steve Kendall  >

OPEN HOUSE TOUR INFORMATION
In accordance with the Contra Costa County Shelter in Place Order and in the best interest of members, clients and the community, CCAR, Bay East and bridgeMLSs have temporarily disabled Open House/Tour functionality. 
|  Read More  >


VIRTUAL MARKETING TOOLS
Now is a great time to leverage alternative marketing tools. Let your clients know you will continue serving them by marketing their homes using an array of available technology. You can offer them 3D interactive property scans (via Matterport, Cupix, EyeSpy360); host a virtual tour or conduct a live tour using Skype or Facebook; use virtual staging to showcase a property…

|  Facebook Messenger and Facebook Live for Open Houses  >
|  Homesnap Pro to Create Video Stories  >
|  Kleard On-Demand Open House  >
|  Immoviewer Video Tours  >
|  BombBomb Video Check-Ins  >

ONLINE EDUCATION & TRAINING
Members can attend live 1:1 remote courses or participate in webinars and podcasts throughout the duration of the Shelter in Place Order. Visit the CCAR Calendar to view/register for courses. Once registered, you will receive an email with a link to view the class from your location. To view all events on a particular day, click the “…” to expand the calendar. 

   
VIRTUAL 1:1 CORE COURSES 
Schedule live 30-60-minute 1:1 core course training sessions. Contact CCAR Education Coordinator Gail Hargis at [email protected] or 925.295.9210.
    
CCAR CORE COURSES INCLUDE:
  – Intro to Paragon 
  – Auto-Notification Using Collaboration
  – Center Intro to CMA Reports Using Cloud CMA 
  – Intro to RPR
  – Intro to zipForm Plus

| Other Webinars & Podcasts  >

| CCAR Virtual Town Hall with C.A.R.’s Gov Hutchinson April 24th Recording   >

Step-by-Step Guidance for PUA Certification  >

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Apply for Unemployment Assistance  >

The CARES Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Benefits Chart

CARES flow chart

C.A.R. Quick Guide to Using the PEAD-V Form

PEAD quick guide
Dec 27 – Second COVID-19 Relief Package Signed into Law

President Trump has signed a $900 billion stimulus bill into law that will provide direct payments to Americans, additional unemployment benefits, and funding for housing providers and small businesses, including REALTORS®.

Among provisions C.A.R. advocated for, the bill will provide an additional $300 per week in federal employment benefits for individuals receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and traditional unemployment. 

It will also expand the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by allowing certain eligible businesses to receive a second PPP loan of up to $2 million. 

See Full Details of the Law >

Dec 16 – Bay Area Runs Low on ICU Beds, Triggering California’s Regional Stay-at-Home Order

Due to the dwindling supply of hospital beds for patients who need intensive care in the Bay Area, the state will apply a regional stay-at-home order across the nine-county region to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the region’s hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

Now more than ever, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) urges everyone who lives or works in the county to follow the health advice within the law to keep themselves and their loved ones safe during the holiday season.

  • Avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in your household, especially indoors.
  • Always wear a face covering and practice physical distancing whenever you go out, and avoid unnecessary trips outside the home.
  • Always stay home if you are not feeling well, and consider a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath.

Full Press Release >

Dec 4 – Bay Area Health Officers Move to Implement the State’s New Regional Stay Home Order, Not Waiting Until Local Hospitals Are Near Crisis to Act

Governor Newsom announced that all sectors other than retail and essential operations would be closed in regions of the State where less than 15 percent of ICU beds are available under a new Regional Stay Home Order. Although health officials throughout the Bay Area are glad to see the State take action in light of the rapidly escalating surge in hospitalizations statewide, many believe even more aggressive action is necessary in the Bay Area to slow the surge and prevent our local hospitals from being overwhelmed.
More >


Nov 19 – Governor Issues Limited Stay at Home Order

Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)  announced a limited Stay at Home Order requiring that non-essential work and gatherings stop between 10pm and 5am. The order will take effect at 10pm Saturday, November 21 and remain in effect until 5am December 21.
More >


Nov 16 – As COVID-19 Spreads in the Bay Area, Purple-Tier Safety Requirements Return in Contra Costa

In response to evidence that COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Contra Costa, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today moved the county back into the red tier of its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, restoring more safety requirements to slow the virus. More >

Overview of how the PUA and SBA programs may interconnect

PUA & SBA programs

How to Keep Business Moving During Uncertain Times: Top Producer Panel Share Their Stories

C.A.R. CEO Joel Singer moderated a panel of top-producing California REALTORS® who shared how they have been able to maintain business momentum during the pandemic. If you weren’t able to tune in to C.A.R.’s live event, you can watch the recording here.

CONTACT INFO:

CCAR Member Services
925.295.1270
[email protected]

C.A.R. Coronavirus Hotline
213.351.8450
[email protected]

Contra Costa Coronavirus Hotline
844.729.8410
     

QUICK LINKS:

Essential Services Protocol

Essential Services Protocol Q & A

C.A.R. REALTOR® Best Practices

New C.A.R. Coronavirus Forms

DRE Licensing Updates

CCAR Education Calendar

REALTOR Guidelines to Comply with Essential Services Definition

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Updated Realtor Guidelines to Comply with Essential Services Definition

Contra Costa, Bay East and Bridge Association of REALTORS® offer the following guidelines to comply with Orders issued March 31, 2020 by the Public Health Officers of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, and the City of Berkeley:

IT IS NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL

Six Bay Area Counties and the City of Berkeley issued new Shelter in Place Orders on March 31, 2020, permitting limited real estate transactions. We have been working with the public health agencies of those jurisdictions to obtain clarification on the implementation of the Order. Members must continue to shelter in place during the pandemic except when performing what the Order describes as “essential services.” When completing a real estate transaction, we offer the following guidelines:

Face Mask Guidelines for Essential Service Workers
 Effective April 22nd, Contra Costa County requires that all “essential services” workers, including residential real estate practitioners, wear face masks when engaged in any aspect of service to the public. Limited exceptions apply to children and when persons are alone or with members of their household. The following are guidelines for MLS users:

–   Always carry a face covering with you, even when alone or driving to perform a real estate service.

–   If meeting clients or other service providers at a property, bring, if available, clean and unused face coverings for yourself and others in the event they have not brought their own.

–  Insist that other service providers and clients follow your example and wear a face covering at all times when viewing a property or meeting to address a matter pertaining to your transaction.

–   Always drive in separate vehicles

–   Carry disinfectant or similar cleaning products to spray masks before and after use

–   Download the County Order for detailed specifications  >

Agents and Home Buyers – How to remain in compliance while visiting a vacant home:

–   Maintain social distancing

–   Face masks must be worn; follow instructions above 

–   Advise buyers not to touch anything

–   Agent should sanitize a lockbox before and after use

–   Only the agent should open doors, closets, cabinets, turn on/off lights, etc.

–   No one with any symptoms/has been diagnosed with a communicable disease should view a property

–   Agents should only close a property after a thoroughly sanitizing all surfaces that have been touched

Authorized Service Providers – Compliance Guidelines

–   Occupants must be absent from premises as specified in previous guidelines

–   No one should enter the property who has any symptoms/been diagnosed with a communicable disease

–   Agent should open lockbox, doors, etc.

–   Maintain social distancing

–   Service provider should wear masks and gloves when entering a home

–   Service provider should bring sanitizing products and sanitize surfaces after inspecting each component

GO VIRTUAL!

Whenever possible, all aspects of a transaction should be completed through virtual interaction. In-person contact is strongly discouraged.

Few exceptions:

If a virtual encounter is not feasible, entrance into a property may be made only under the following conditions: (1) ONLY if the property is vacant; (2) by appointment only; (3) with no more than TWO visitors from the same household escorted  by the agent.

Home inspectors, termite inspectors, sewer inspectors, appraisers, photographers and movers may access a home whether or not the home is occupied, provided they comply with Appendix A of the County Order. They must be: (1) escorted into the home by the agent; (2) Buyers are not allowed to be present; (3) Occupants must leave the property no less than 30 minutes prior to visit and return no less than 30 minutes following essential service provider visit.

What is the official definition of “Vacant”?

According to Contra Costa and Alameda Counties and the City of Berkeley, vacant means that no one is using the property as a residence or place of abode. In other words, the property is not occupied or used as a place to live and there is no intent to use it prior to the close of the transaction.

A property is NOT vacant if: (1) the occupant(s) are gone on a trip and intend to return; or (2) it is vacant just because the occupant(s) leave the property during the viewing allowed by the Orders.

Who CANNOT access a property?

County Orders do not allow for any cosmetic services such as staging or landscaping, used to beautify and not maintain a residence. Painters not engaged in structural repair or similar services are not allowed/subject to the essential service provider exception. Upkeep of landscaping, for example, is not considered essential.

Access to properties is restricted to contractors and service personnel who provide services necessary to maintaining habitability, sanitation and operation of the residence, or address safety of residents, employees or the public (such as fire safety or tree trimming to prevent dangerous conditions (e.g., plumbers, electricians, exterminators).

Residential real estate service providers

The exception for service providers enabling residential transactions only applies to residential transactions, not commercial or industrial. Service providers in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties and the City of Berkeley include real estate agents, escrow agents, notaries, title companies, home inspectors, appraisers, photographers and movers.

Stay safe. Work safe.

When providing essential services to the public always take the safest course, including working remotely and practicing all guidelines outlined by the CDC and County health departments. If personal contact is essential, practice social distancing.

Never… 

NEVER arrange an in-person meeting, visit or other contact when any of the participants have any symptoms or knowledge of possessing a communicable disease.

Always… 

ALWAYS refrain from touching surfaces touched by others except when absolutely necessary and then use CDC approved methods for sanitizing surfaces. ALWAYS wash hands and follow CDC advice for safety.

Consult with your Broker

Before conducting any business transactions, agents must first consult with their brokers and adhere to specific rules and guidelines established by their respective corporations/firms and the requirements set out in County/City orders. Members should seek individual counsel for legal and insurance matters.

All essential service providers must comply with Appendix A.

Resources:

 

·       CDC COVID-19 Guidelines

·       CoCo County Order HO-COVID19-03  >

·       Essential Services Compliance Guide >

·       Contra Costa Appendix A – Social Distancing Protocol Form  >

·       Alameda County Order No. 20-4  >

·       Berkeley Shelter in Place Order >

·       C.A.R. Realtor Best Practices  >

·       New applicable zipForms® >

 

·       CCAR Coronavirus Home  >

Check for updates

CCAR and other local Associations are working with government and health agencies to keep you informed and provide updates on orders and their interpretations. Important note:  Government agencies may be slow to publish new and/or changing rules. Continue to check for ongoing updates.

CCAR is working constantly with county officials and health authorities to clarify details and essential business protocols to educate members about the  requirements necessary to navigate safe business practices as dictated by respective authorities.

COVID-19 orders, directives and interpretations are subject to change at any time. We strive to provide current and accurate information we receive from third-party sources but cannot guarantee the accuracy and current status of any information provided. We strongly recommend viewing official government agency websites to obtain confirmation and the most current information.

Social Distancing Protocol for Essential Services

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URGENT! DEADLINE THU, APR 2 by 11:59 pm– Real Estate Firms Must Prepare/Post Social Distancing Protocol to Qualify as Essential Services

Brokers and Office Managers must follow the instructions below by 11:59 PM THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020:

1.  Print, complete the Appendix A: Social Distancing Protocol 

2.  Print County Order HO Covid19-03

3.  Post completed form and County Order at all business facilities where they can be easily viewed by the public and employees: (1) at the entrance (i.e., front door/window) and (2) in staff rooms or wherever employers display employment and wage information.

4.  Send an email to each employee and agent and attach County Order HO Covid19-03; retain a copy of each email on file to present to enforcing agencies.

5.  Every week confirm to employees and agents that this Covid-19 “essential services” social distancing protocol remains in effect and is enforceable; maintain weekly record of confirmation that this has been executed.

CCAR continues to work with county officials on your behalf to further refine and define the standards of practice for residential real estate firms. We will provide updates as they become available.

Residential Real Estate Classified as Essential Service

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Real Estate classifed as an “essential service” by Bay Area counties; expanded social distancing orders apply

In response to increased cases of coronavirus in the Bay Area over the past two weeks, local counties* issued a joint press release today which includes updates to existing Bay-Area-wide COVID-19 stay-at-home mandates for all residents and a revised list of “Essential Services” which now includes residential real estate. Acceptable business practices for essential service providers, along with expanded health and safety restrictions have been instituted. All REALTORS®, Affiliates and their clients must comply (see County Health Services FAQ). CCAR leadership and staff continue to work with County officials to further refine and define these orders to better meet the unique needs of members and their clients. Ongoing updates will be provided.  

 

In addition to naming real estate as an “essential service” this joint order extends the stay-in-place expiry date from April 7 until May 3, 2020, to further protect public health and preserve critical hospital capacity across the region. This new order, effective tonight, March 31st at 11:59 pm, supersedes the previous Contra Costa County order and serves as a supplement to Governor Newsom’s indefinite statewide stay-at-home order.

 

READ CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ORDER   |  READ ALAMEDA COUNTY ORDER

 

Important Guidelines for REALTORS®

While real estate has been classified as an “essential service” both locally and nationally,” it does not authorize a business-as-usual atmosphere. REALTORS® must follow strict industry-specific guidelines. Failure to comply is a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment and may result in discipline from State and other organizations.

 

Among the comprehensive list of guidelines set forth in the new multi-county order, the following orders pertain specifically to essential service providers—CCAR members, including real estate agents, escrow agents, notaries, and title companies (updates will be provided on an ongoing basis):

–      Residential viewings may only occur virtually, or if virtual viewing is not feasible and the residence is unoccupied, by appointment with no more than two visitors from the same household and one person showing the unit. 

 

Guidelines for Clients & Customers

–       Individuals may move residences only if it’s not possible to wait until after the Order expires. In other words, you can move if the move is already planned or if it’s necessary to maintain shelter, to stay safe, or to stay in a livable residence.

–       Moving services that facilitate residential or commercial moves allowed by the order require mandatory social distancing for everyone, including essential workers.

–       Arborists, landscapers, gardeners, and similar service professionals are essential businesses, but only to provide services necessary to maintain the habitability, sanitation, operation of the business or residence or for the safety of the residences, employees or the public.  This means they can provide services for fire prevention, like weed abatement, but they cannot provide services that are cosmetic or that constitute general upkeep.   

 

* Contra Costa, Alameda, Berkeley, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara

 

April Marks 50th Anniversary of Fair Housing Act

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There’s Still More Work to be Done

Despite 50 years of hard work, housing discrimination is still a disheartening reality in the United States. In 2017 HUD (Department of Housing & Urban Development) issued charges in 19 cases for unfair housing practices. More than half of those cases involved discrimination on the basis of race and national origin; additional charges focused on discrimination against people with disabilities and those who were denied housing due to familial status. Plaintiffs included banks and other lending institutions, as well as insurance providers and apartment management companies.

In a continued effort to eradicate housing discrimination in the U.S. NAR and local associations around the country are rallying to commemorate the 5oth Anniversary of the 1968 Fair Housing Act.

“Not only is Fair Housing integral to the ethical commitment of our members, as outlined in the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, it is critical to our ability to serve our customers, clients and the community,” said NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall. “We look forward to continuing our work with HUD to advocate for inclusive sustainable communities free from discrimination.”  | MORE |

Join NAR’s commemoration of the Fair Housing Act. Watch this video to learn about the law, how it makes our industry and country stronger, and the work still  yet to be done. | VIEW |