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MINNEAPOLIS (May 18, 2020) – Minnesota Realtors has created a set of new Open House considerations for Realtors, in response to Governor Waltz’s new state order EO-20-56. The state’s new order expands the ability for customer-facing businesses to conduct business with provisions to keep the public and workers safe.

The new Open House considerations advise Realtors, who believe that an open house is necessary to facilitate a real estate transaction, to adopt a plan that incorporates site-specific best practices. The best practices are focused on health and wellness, social distancing, cleaning, sanitation and protection, and communications that keep the client and visitors in mind.

“This advisement underscores the reality that this new order does not mean it’s back to business as usual regarding Open Houses and other business activities,” said Chris Galler, CEO of Minnesota Realtors. “Minnesota Realtors Open House considerations include that Realtors will need to infer what provisions of DEED’s Plan Guidance may apply in the event that they and their client determine that a customer facing open house is necessary to facilitate a real estate transaction at this time.”

“Realtors conduct Open Houses for a wide variety of reasons based on many different circumstances. Some homes are new construction without furniture or floor coverings. Other properties are the home of older Minnesotans or those with immune deficiency issues,” said Galler. “Due to the wide range of circumstances, individual properties will require different COVID-19 precautions.”

Key points from the Minnesota Realtors Open House considerations are listed below. Full details can be found on the organization’s Covid-19 resources page: https://www.mnrealtor.com/member-services/communications/covid19-resources.

Health

• Consider adopting company protocols for sales associates or office staff who are ill or have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 before they commence an Open House or showing. Per the Minnesota Department of Health, all persons who are sick should stay home.
• Consider OSHA safety protocols for workers when they will be meeting with the public.
• Consult with your seller clients about whether and how consumers will enter their property during the listing and marketing of the property.
• Outline steps the to minimize spread of the virus and comply with health and safety requirements before offering showings or open houses and during and after an open house or showing including protecting vulnerable populations.

Social Distancing

• Evaluate the property space for access and regulate visitor movement within the property maintaining at least six (6) feet of separation.
• Create and follow a business plan for social distancing within the home.
• Consider ways to make interactions between customers and associates as contactless as reasonably possible.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• There may be cleaning and disinfecting requirements in Minnesota if holding an open house for the general public. Work with your seller client to follow CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidance on maintaining regular cleaning and frequent high-touch disinfecting.
• Consider prohibiting visitors’ use of the home’s bathroom or other facilities and adopt cleaning and disinfecting protocols if they are used.

About Minnesota Realtors^®

Serving more than 21,000 real-estate professionals, Minnesota Realtors^® (MNR) unites and empowers Realtors^® throughout the state so they can thrive. Dedicated to helping Realtors^® build their careers and grow their businesses, MNR provides a wide range of services and resources that include legal services, community education, government affairs, and code of ethics and standards of practice support. Founded in 1919, MNR is a non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.mnrealtor.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.