Whitman County Association of Realtors

July 22, 2021: Membership Meeting

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July 22, 2021 @ 12PM-1:30PM

Membership Meeting
Lessons Learned from Long Island Divided

Would YOU pass the test on fair housing? Pulitzer Prize winner and No. 1 bestselling author Bill Dedman is ready to take you on a guided tour inside Newsday’s three-year investigation Long Island Divided and its documentary film Testing the Divide — raising awareness of illegal steering by real estate agents.

As one of the lead reporters, Bill developed the methodology for the investigation, including recruiting, training, and deploying 25 testers with hidden cameras.

In this special fair housing membership meeting you’ll discover:

  • How were the tests conducted?
  • What were the major findings?
  • How can agents avoid steering?
  • Can agents talk about schools?
  • How can agents ensure fair treatment?

Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the shocking investigation that prompted NAR to make sweeping changes to its approach to housing discrimination — including the addition of anti-bias training, the review of state licensing laws for agents, and the creation of Fairhaven, NAR’s recently launched self-testing fair housing simulation!

Register for the meeting at:

http://bit.ly/PACMLSmm0722

DOL License Renewals: Please Be Proactive!

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The Department of Licensing has modified their licensing processes, for both new applications and renewals. Some agents have experienced delays and hurdles in getting their information processed in a timely manner.

All license requests must be submitted online through the Secure Access Washington portal – do not send any paperwork to the DOL through the mail!

Additionally, the DOL is requiring agents to submit new fingerprints if they do not have any on file dated in the past six years.

We are asking you to be mindful of your license expiration date and to renew at least two weeks in advance to avoid any processing issues.

Please keep the following advisories in mind when you go to renew your license:

  • You must create a SAW profile and renew by adding the Professional Licensing service to your account
  • Once you create an account, you must link your existing license to your profile before you can process a renewal request
  • If the state requires you to submit new fingerprints, schedule through indentogo.com. This vendor takes digital fingerprints and sends them directly to the state on your behalf. There are several facilities in our area that offer this service and it is the preferred method of the DOL. They are quick and efficient and the state typically receives and processes your fingerprints within three business days
  • The renewal fee is $146.25 and fingerprints (if required) are $42.30
  • At time of renewal, you must sign an affidavit verifying you have taken all of your required continuing education credits. You do not need to submit your certificates of completion unless you are audited

If you have any licensing questions, please call our office at (509) 783-2184 and ask to speak to Rosalyn Drury.

Updated Real Estate COVID-19 Guidance

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On May 21st, Governor Inslee issued a proclamation updating the “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan and providing information regarding face coverings. In addition, the Department of Labor and Industries published guidance for employers regarding face coverings.

The following applies to real estate firms and face coverings in the office:

Consumers visiting a real estate office:

  • Firms can require all consumers to wear a face covering;
  • Firms can allow consumers who are fully vaccinated to not wear a face covering after providing proof of vaccination; or
  • Firms can allow consumers who are fully vaccinated to not wear a face covering based upon the honor system.

For brokers and employees in a real estate office:

  • Firms can require all brokers/employees to wear a face covering; or
  • Firms can allow brokers/employees who are fully vaccinated to not wear a face covering after (a) showing proof of vaccination; or (b) providing a signed document attesting to vaccination. The firm should maintain a log of persons who have verified that they have been vaccinated, including the method and date of verification.

The following applies to visits to a property (showings, inspections, appraisals, open houses, etc.) for brokers, clients, and industry partners (e.g. appraisers, inspectors, photographers, etc.):

  • All persons must wear a face covering unless the seller instructs otherwise (i.e. the seller explicitly allows fully vaccinated persons to not wear a face covering in the property).

Note that, people are considered fully vaccinated:

  • Two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine; or
  • Two weeks after the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

As a reminder, effective Tuesday, May 18th, every county is in Phase 3 of the “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan, where the following protocols apply:

  • Capacity for real estate offices, including guests, is limited to 50% or lower. Appointments are not required for clients to visit real estate offices. Remote meetings with clients are encouraged.
  • In-person brokerage activities at the property (showings, inspections, etc.) are permitted by appointment with no more than ten (10) people on site, in addition to the broker.
  • In-person open houses are permitted with no more than ten (10) people are on site, in addition to the broker.

The following protocols continue apply to all in-person activities (previews, showings, listing appointments, inspections, walk-throughs, appraisals, etc.):

  • In-person activities must be by appointment only;
  • All persons must wear a face covering unless the seller instructs otherwise (i.e. the seller explicitly allows fully vaccinated persons to not wear a face covering in the property); and
  • Those persons must strictly follow social distancing guidelines by remaining at least six feet apart at all times.

Washington REALTORS® has provided FAQ guidance. Please review the downloadable WR FAQs (revised 05-21-21) on which activities are permitted and the protocols required for permitted activities.

If you have questions on this, or any other real estate legal question, email LegalHotline@warealtor.org. The Legal Hotline is a Washington REALTOR® member-only benefit.

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