Guidance for Real Estate Open Houses in Phase One

The following recommendations are intended to assist real estate showing services during Phase One reopening as defined in Executive Order 61. This guidance applies to open houses. For access to model or spec houses, walk through showings of rental properties and any other location or event where real estate related viewings of property interiors occur, refer to Guidelines for Brick and Mortar Retail in Executive Order 61

Recommendations

Physical distancing practices:

  1. Whenever possible, conduct property showings in empty units.
  2. Establish policies and practices for physical distancing between co-workers and between members of the public.
  3. Provide face coverings masks to clients or ask that clients bring a face covering with them. (See CDC Use of Cloth Face Coverings guidance for more detailed information.)
  4. Employees working in customer-facing areas (for example, hosts of open houses) are required to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth, such as using CDC Use of Cloth Face Coverings guidance.
  5. Maintain social distancing of at least six feet within waiting areas, including home exteriors.
  6. Provide clear communication and signage for physical distancing in areas where individuals may congregate.
  7. Post signage at the entrance that states that no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 is permitted in the property being exhibited.
  8. Post signage to provide public health reminders regarding social distancing, gatherings, options for high risk individuals, and staying home if sick.
  9. Limit the occupancy of physical spaces to ensure that adequate physical distancing may be maintained.
  10. Have clients make arrangements to arrive at properties on their own to avoid sharing vehicles.
  11. Limit interior access to no more than 10 persons at a time and ensure people can stay at least 10 feet apart from each other during tours.
  12. Maximize use of digital technology such as virtual tours, virtual 3D tours, and live-streamed open houses for listing and marketing properties.  telephone or online scheduling.
  13. Ask prospective customers to wait outside in their vehicle until you are ready to serve them.
  14. Use separate doors to enter and exit the property being viewed when possible.
  15. Open all doors and turn on lights prior to the start of open houses so that people can walk around the house without touching door knobs and light switches. Restrict visitors to a tour only, go outside or into an open garage and stand apart to have conversations about the property. Visitors should refrain from touching anything unless necessary.
  16. Collect buyer information in a way that does not require shared touching of pens, stylii, tablets or other electronic device. Conduct paperwork electronically as much as possible.
  17. Do not provide commonly touched non-essential items such as self-serve coffee and candy jars.
  18. Do not share sales literature with more than one visitor. Dispose of sales literature left behind by potential buyers/renters rather than reusing.
  19. Make disposable gloves available during showings and open houses

Enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices:

  1. Recommend that homeowners clean and disinfect homes prior to and following open houses, focusing on commonly touched areas including doorknobs ,light switches, and faucet handles. Follow CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection and use an EPA-approved disinfectant to clean. Perform thorough cleaning and disinfection of frequently contacted surfaces every 60 minutes.
  2. During open houses, provide hand sanitizer at entrance, exit, and other locations as appropriate. Encourage sanitizer use before the showing and after. Maintain social distancing and cleanliness protocols (e.g., hand washing, avoid touching face) during private showings.

Also keep in mind and consider…

  • Disinfection only works on clean items, so always clean items before disinfecting.
  • Observe contact times listed on disinfectant labels.
  • Discontinue the practice of shaking hands with clients.
  • If you handle money, a card, or use a keypad, use hand sanitizer immediately after.
  • There is a wide variety of non-health related issues having pertinence to fair housing requirements. Refer to Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS®, prepared by the National Association of Realtors, or similar references, for additional guidance specific to the real estate industry.