New rules as of June 5th:
- Open houses are allowed with certain restrictions
- Limited to 10 people
- Continue to practice physical distancing of 6 feet
- Separate groups must physically distance from each other
- Continue to sanitize hands or wear gloves
- Continue to wear face coverings
- Brokers/agents/other real estate-related business people are required to wear them
- Guests refusing to wear face coverings may be refused admission to a property or place of business, at the discretion of the listing agent/seller
- Buyers no longer need to be pre-qualified but companies/sellers may continue to adhere to this policy
- Short term rentals are still prohibited (30 days or less)
- Business offices can reopen, following physical distancing measures
These rules are in accordance with the Honolulu Board of Realtors.
We are in unprecedented times. First and foremost, I hope that you and your family are doing well and staying safe. We understand that it can feel like a confusing and uncertain time for the real estate market, and we want to assure you that during our 71 years of combined experience we have seen the market’s ups and downs and we try to adapt for every situation. We are continuing to work for our clients at the highest level and support your real estate needs. With the stay-at-home order, we want to let you know that we are legally considered an essential business allowed to operate with a signed legal agreement. We can show listings and do showings for buyers, with a signed buyers’ agreement.
The health of our team, our clients, and our community is our top priority. We have taken action to protect everyone by offering video meetings and virtual tours of our listings and homes you may be interested in seeing. There are still no in-person open houses or brokers’ opens. For in-person showings, which are only happening when necessary, we are following a strict protocol to ensure the well-being safety of all involved. Showings are limited to three people, including the agent, and all buyers must be pre-qualified; children are not permitted at showings. All in-person appointments, including those essential to the real estate sales process such as appraisals and inspections, are conducted on an appointment-only basis. During appointments, masks must be worn and gloves are recommended; hands are to be sanitized; shoes are to be removed; no one is permitted to touch anything or use bathrooms/sinks. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have come in contact with people who are sick or have traveled are not permitted at showings. We are closely monitoring the situation and as it evolves, we will continue to update our policies to safeguard everyone.
We understand that everyone’s situation is different. A few of our clients are telling me that they want to hold off for now, others need to sell or buy, and some want to take advantage of the lower interest rates. You probably have a lot of questions. A popular question I’ve been asked is How is the coronavirus affecting the real estate market so far?
Sales that were under contract are closing as scheduled. Our colleagues at the title companies will continue to close escrows and in the event of shutdown of the Bureau of Conveyances, they will cover the gap with their Title Insurance. Homes that are priced properly are selling quickly and buyers who are looking with protective measures and purchasing now are serious buyers. Currently, the inventory of available homes is low.
It is our commitment to support and guide you through these turbulent times and to communicate and keep you aware of what’s next. We will be reaching out checking in with everyone to offer any assistance we can. We are a full-service real estate company with property management and concierge departments, and we want you to know that all our services are available to you. We can provide references to all types of vendors you may need to work with. In addition, as members of the National Association of Realtors, we have been provided additional resources to assist our clients with the current situation.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding your property, the market, or the real estate industry in Hawaii, or need anything. We are here for you. Our office phone number is (808) 593-9826 and we can also be reached at concierge@caronb.com.
Updated June 9, 2020