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!

Style Your Coffee Table Like A Pro

A well-designed coffee table complements the rest of the room and creates an interesting visual story. Consider these tips to make your table look professionally styled:

·         Display decorative items in odd numbers (especially in groups of three) to create an effortless look. Add at least one tall item to draw the eye up, such as a vase with flowers or stems.

·         Aim for a cohesive, balanced design. For example, add a sculptural piece on top of a stack of books to keep them from looking too flat. Pull in colors from the rest of the room or pick items that are similar in shape. Try using a serving tray to tie your decor together.

·         Include one statement piece that sparks conversation or showcases your personality. This could be something you bought on a trip, an interesting antique, or an item in a color or texture that pops.

·         Keep functionality in mind by leaving enough space for drink glasses and snack plates. Add a decorative box or basket to catch remotes and other daily items.

Five Star award recipient 2011-2018 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, Realtors

Direct 503.380.9634

Email- Homesforyou@frontier.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website

Licensed in the State of Oregon

***I’M ALWAYS HAPPY TO HELP YOU AND YOUR REFERRALS***

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!

Looking back at 2018 and ahead to 2019 in our Portland-Metro Real Estate Market.

December Residential Highlights
December brought cooling across the board to the Portland metro area. Pending sales, at 1,599, fell 9.0% short of the 1,757 offers accepted last year in December 2017 and 16.0%
short of the 1,904 offers accepted last month in November 2018.
Closed sales (1,846) fared similarly, ending 21.4% lower than in December 2017 (2,350) and 13.9% lower than in November 2018 (2,144). This is the coolest December
for closings in Portland metro since 2013, when 1,821 were recorded. New listings, at 1,255, cooled 22.4% from December 2017 (1,617) and 45.7% from November 2018
(2,310). Total market time rose to 64 days in December, with inventory decreasing slightly to land at 2.5 months.

Average and Median Sale Prices
Comparing 2018 to 2017 through December, the average sale price rose 5.5% from $428,700 to $452,400. In the same comparison, the median sale price rose 5.3% from $379,900 to $400,000.

Year to Date Summary

Activity in 2018 was mixed compared to 2017. New listings (41,287) increased 1.2%. ending sales (29,809) decreased 4.9% and closed sales (29,771) decreased 5.9% this year.

The Portland-Metro real estate market is still a strong market but seeing some signs of slowing. In my opinion, it’s more of a balancing out. 2019 is expected to be a dynamic market and providing plenty of opportunities for both Seller’s and Buyer’s. For more information taking advantage of the opportunities please call, email, or text me.

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, 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 an accurate list of  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!