Sunday, March 29, 2020

Update -


From: Bryon Schlosser
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2020 10:35 AM
To:
Henry McClure
Subject: (Office Message) - Update on Office Policies Going Forward

I am sure you have been inundated with messages from associations and companies of all kinds with information about doing or not doing business.  Here is what I believe to be the current status of business and personal living since the governor's statewide Stay Home order as interpreted by KAR's Governmental Affairs Director, Mark Tomb:

     1.  Everyone is directed to stay home unless performing an essential activity
     2.  The Governor's order specifically includes real estate service as an essential activity
     3.  The Governor's order supersedes all county orders addressing this subject
     4.  The Governor's order goes into effect at midnight tonight and remains in effect until midnight Sunday, April 19th.

What does this mean for us?  Of course, we need to abide by our Governor's order, but the specifics of what we do need to be guided by common sense, keeping the safety of our company and our customers and clients uppermost.  Subject to further input from you and our management team, here are some operating procedures to guide us:

     1.  Staff will continue to work from home through at least April 26.  Although the Governor's order expires April 19, we will then still be subject after that time to the Shawnee County and Douglas County orders that do not expire until April 26.
     2.  We will conduct no broker open houses nor public open houses until May 2nd.  While I'm guessing the orders of the Governor and County Health departments have a good chance of being extended, May 2 is what I think would be the best case scenario.
     3.  We should inquire of all sellers and buyers if they or anyone with whom they have been in contact is under a 14-day quarantine period.  If so, we should not be in contact with them, nor allow buyer prospects in their homes, nor allow them in other people's homes.
     4.  SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WITH HEALTH PEOPLE.
     5.  No meetings with more than 5 people.
     6.  You may come to the office for necessary materials, pick up mail and other deliveries, and meet with clients (no children please).  Please wash your hands when you come in.  If you are coming to use computers, copiers or fax machine, please disinfect the equipment you use and the work area you use with the cleaning solutions at hand.  Please do not use the conference areas if you do not have a client with you.
     7.  Please prepare a video tour of each listing so that prospects can review it before they request a physical tour. Physical tours only with the informed consent of the owner, and only by parties who have not been exposed to a quarantined individual.  Owner must disinfect doorknobs, leave all lights on, and disinfect after.  You and buyer prospects must wear disposable gloves, and disinfect after you leave.
     8.  You may enter homes under those same conditions to video tour or Facebook live tour for a buyer prospect.

I am reviewing several samples of buyer and seller checklists to outline these procedures in brochures that will protect our clients and ourselves.  I have never seen a time when our industry has shared so much information and best practices.  That will be the purpose of our Tuesday morning Zoom Partners' Meeting.

More to follow, I'm sure.  Be safe,

                    Bryon
 
Bryon R. Schlosser
President and General Counsel
785.267.8646 (Direct)
785.969.2214 (Cell)
866.595.6073 (Fax)
bryon@cbkansas.com

We never send wire instructions by email!