March 16, 2020

These are challenging times. We at CENTURY 21 Realty Partners are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to follow best practices to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For those that have not already done so, we advise you to keep up to date with the latest information and guidance from the Texas Department of State Health Services (dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus). 

While it is our intent to keep our offices open as long as advisable, quarantine or other measures may result in some offices being closed during normal business hours. To reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 our offices will have limited staff or agent presence. We will advise if any of our offices close or have restricted hours. Our agents are already very familiar with working remotely. They will continue to communicate with our clients by phone, video, and email, market and show property, write contracts that can be signed electronically, and help transactions close smoothly. If one of our agents is sick or taking care of a family member, another one of our agents will be available to make sure we continue to provide industry-leading real estate service. 

Sellers: We are encouraging buyers to follow proper hygiene as recommended by health authorities (see below). We recommend that commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs, faucets, drawers, and stair railings be cleaned with disinfectant after each showing. If you are uncomfortable having your home shown please notify your listing agent right away and we can halt showings until such a time as you are comfortable continuing. If you are interested we can also produce video tours as an alternative to showings. We will respect any decision you make and are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. 

Buyers: We know mortgage rates are at historic lows and we are in the Spring buying season. Many buyers still want to go out and see what’s on the market. We are eager to show clients listings, however if you are feeling unwell or may have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19 we must ask that you stay home until you are clear. Any buyer who is unable or uncomfortable attending a showing can request their agent show a property using live stream video instead.  

Office Visitors and Vendors: As always, we are available by phone and email during normal business hours. If you need to come into the office, we are disinfecting commonly touched surfaces several times a day. We are also recommending everyone stay at least six feet apart. Please understand if we wave instead of shake hands. If any of our offices are closed or subject to quarantine, we will advise. 

Agents and Employees: If you are unwell or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please stay home until you are clear! You can continue to work from home remotely even if you are under quarantine. If you are sick, take the time to get some rest and fully recover. If you need another agent to cover for you or service a client then contact the office and we will make sure they are taken care of. If you signed up for property time we will send incoming calls to your cell phone, please be in a quiet area and in front of your computer to best help an incoming lead. As health officials are recommending all events with 50 or more people be cancelled or postponed, our annual awards banquet will be postponed until further notice. We are also looking at online company meetings and will not meet in person. Please see the National Association of Realtors guidance on COVID-19 (www.nar.realtor/coronavirus-a-guide-for-realtors).

Here are proper hygiene and preventative measures we can all take:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Practice social distancing by staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible.
  • Wave instead of shake hands.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
  • Stay home if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other cold or flu-like symptom.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

As a final note, this disease is not limited by national origin, race, or age. Do not let fear turn into stigma or discrimination. Our agents and staff have a legal and moral obligation to observe fair housing laws. We will not discriminate against any fair housing protected class or segment of the population. 

Everyone’s health and safety remains our ongoing concern. Together we will overcome and make it through this. Thank you for your understanding. Check our facebook and company blog for updates. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us. 

CENTURY 21 Realty Partners
281-252-4122
c21realtypartners.com