On March 20, the Executive and MLS Committees agreed to discourage in-person open houses during this time of social distancing. To bolster the message to members and consumers that REALTORS® are doing our part to prevent the spreading and contracting COVID-19, both the Executive and MLS Committees also decided today, March 26, to “turn off” in Flexmls the ability to schedule Open Houses through April 16.
Open house information will not be available for display on gcar.net or member public websites (IDX and VOW sites). Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® is not banning our members’ ability to host open houses, whether you choose with your seller to host them in-person or virtually. Yet, the mechanism to schedule them in Flexmls (and have them appear on competing broker’s website) has been disabled, as leaving it “on” is contradictory to Greater Chattanooga REALTORS®’ position in this regard.
If you and your seller determine to hold an in-person Open House, you are encouraged to follow NAR’s Open House Guidance During COVID-19.
Real estate IS happening, yet in alternative ways. Discuss with your clients other methods and technologies to market properties and precautions to help keep our local market, as well as you and your clients, healthy.
As stated by NAR, “Consider how you may continue providing first-class services to clients, while also exemplifying REALTORS® as community leaders by demonstrating care for the health and well-being of clients, colleagues and the greater public welfare in reducing the risk of exposure to, and spread of, COVID-19.”
Additional COVID-19 Updates & Resources are available at gcar.net/COVID-19.