Homeland Security Declares Real Estate ‘Essential,’ But …

Federal guidance from the Department of Homeland Security has included real estate in a list of essential services that are deemed critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security.. State and local officials, however, have been issuing guidelines that could prevent normal business operations for real estate professionals in some areas. Those local mandates should take precedence over federal guidance, experts advise.

Where real estate services are continuing—albeit in modified forms—brokerages are cautioning their agents to act responsibly and to practice safe social distancing in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

Under the issued Homeland Security guidance, “residential and commercial real services” are included on a 15-page list of essential services. These cover settlement services and government offices that conduct title searches, notaries, and mortgage and recording services, as well as construction. The advisory letter was created by the Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

“This list is advisory in nature,” the guidance notes. “It is not, nor should it be considered, a federal directive or standard.”

Indeed, REALTORS® should follow the guidelines set forth by their city, county, and state governments, urges Katie Johnson, general counsel and chief member experience officer for the National Association of REALTORS®. “It is imperative you adhere to the order” of your local jurisdiction, Johnson says.

“Being deemed an essential service means that you have a special responsibility and opportunity to continue operations if you choose to but not if you don’t. It means you have the special responsibility and mandate to adhere to your state’s executive order regarding ‘essential services.’ ”

REALTORS® also have a responsibility to abide by all necessary health and safety precautions mandated by your state’s executive orders that would apply to business activities such as in-person property showings or other face-to-face gatherings.  “We all have a special responsibility to lead by example, to do what we think is best for our communities and ourselves, and to do what we think best for the reputation of the industry,” Johnson says.

Read more recommendations for conducting business safely in Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS®.

Article by the National Association of Realtors

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2020 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.  

Rachel Sheller, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First- Principal Broker, Washington First-Managing Broker

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website 

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Is your furniture a dangerous jungle gym?

Turning your back for just a moment gives a child just enough time to reupholster your couch with peanut butter or redecorate your wall with crayons. More importantly, in a split second, they could turn furniture into a jungle gym and get hurt. According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, around 15,000 kids visit the emergency room each year due to falling furniture. Take the necessary precautions to secure your furniture, and save your kids from serious injury.

When purchasing furniture, choose pieces with wide bases and steady legs. Talk to your kids about the dangers of climbing on furniture, and keep toys close to the floor so children won’t be tempted to scale the bookshelf.

You can also secure furniture and TVs to walls with mounts and safety straps. Some furniture manufacturers now provide safety straps with the purchase of certain shelving units. Install these as an extra line of defense against kids who pull and climb.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Rachel Sheller

Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES

Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, Earth Advantage Broker,

MASTERS CIRCLE

CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website.

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!

Surviving a kitchen remodel

Living in your home while renovating your kitchen comes with a certain level of chaos, but a little forethought can help you make it through.

Plan for simple meals and lots of takeout. Think sandwiches, soups and anything that can be grilled. If you’ll have access to a fridge, consider making and freezing meals that can be added to a slow cooker as needed. Factor takeout costs into your renovation budget and look for restaurants with daily deals such as kids eat free or two-for-one specials to help ease the financial strain.

Set up a temporary kitchen. Ideally, this will be away from the construction zone and close to a water source. Make sure the electrical outlets in your “kitchenette” can handle small appliances and a mini fridge, if possible. Plastic drawers on wheels work well for storing dishes, utensils and non-perishable food, and be sure to protect your temporary countertops from hot dishes.

Helpful items for your makeshift kitchen include: a microwave, coffee maker, electric teakettle, slow cooker (or Instant Pot), toaster oven, electric grill, cutting board, sharp knives, grilling tools, dish soap, scrub brushes, dish towels, a few spices, and a large tray to carry food to your eating area.

Control the mess. There will be days when you just need to use disposable plates and utensils, but relying on them too much creates a lot of waste. Try keeping only one place setting per family member, which will force you to wash dishes right away. If you’re rinsing plates in a bathtub or bathroom sink, catch stray food scraps with a drain strainer to prevent clogs.

Expect delays. It’s helpful to practice patience if or when the contractor encounters “unforeseen issues” after tearing out the old cabinets, your new stove arrives 10 days late or the plumber accidentally floods the adjoining laundry room.

Keep your sanity. Designate at least one room in your home that’s construction-free and tell your contractor, if necessary. Having a peaceful place to escape during renovations can help your family regain a sense of normalcy along the way.

Five Star award Winner 2011-2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, MASTERS CIRCLE, Earth Advantage Broker, Diversity Specialist-HOWNW, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First, Washington First 

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- rachel@rachelsheller.com

View an accurate list of ALL available Houses on the market on my website

Licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington  m

My business is referral based.
If you’ve enjoyed my service, please refer me!