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COVID: Find the Latest Information & Updates Here

Lawrence Board of REALTORS® COVID Alert:

Masks, COVID, and Showings:

Brokers:

  • Brokers are encouraged to follow the guidelines offered by the Douglas County Health Department.
  • Brokers may have policies that are more restrictive than the current guideline of the local health department, but not less restrictive.

Agents:

  • Most Importantly – Showing Agents must follow showing instructions when showing properties from the MLS. If the showing instructions require a mask to be worn, then everyone at the showing must wear a mask.
  • Listing Agents may have Showing Instructions related to COVID, as directed by the Seller, that is more restrictive than the current guidelines of the local health department, but not less restrictive.
  • Buyer’s Agents may create guidelines for their interactions with their clients that are more restrictive than the current guideline of the local health department, but not less restrictive.
  • Agents are encouraged to check with their Individual Broker for any COVID-related office policies.

The LBOR will continue to follow the guidelines of the CDC and the Douglas County Health Department.

  • As of June 1, 2021, all meetings are now being held in person at the LBOR Office.
  • As of March 2, 2022, Consistent with the recommendations of the CDC and Douglas County Public Health, mask-wearing is now optional inside the LBOR Office. Masks are available for meetings but are no longer required.
  • Social distancing is encouraged for meetings.
  • For those who prefer to attend meetings virtually, a hybrid/virtual option will be provided.
  • The LBOR office is open M-F between 8 am – 4 pm.

The following resources are available with COVID-19 Guidelines that can be helpful during this time:

  • Coronavirus (Covid-19) Forms:
    • LBOR Coronavirus Addendum (pdf)
    • LBOR Coronavirus Disclosure (pdf)
    • LBOR Issues Best Practices for Showings / Recommends Video or Virtual Showings as Alternatives to in-person Showings:
      • All Members are reminded that, in recognition of this unprecedented time, the Lawrence MLS requires all Listing Brokers and Agents to be abundantly clear and consistent with showing instructions and showing access for their listings in the Lawrence MLS. This includes consistently and continuously updating property showing instructions across all available services such as the Paragon System, Showing Time’s Appointment Scheduler, and thru Listing Office Administrators. Details of exactly how and when a property can be shown must be clearly communicated, and consistently imposed to all showing agents, including the Listing Agent. All Agents, including the Listing Agent, must adhere to the published showing instructions. All Agents must be provided with the same level of access to the listed property.
      • As of August 4, 2021: All property in the MLS must now be available for showings by cooping agents by midnight of the 3rd business day of the effective date of the listing, or within one business day after any public-facing marketing occurs for the listed property, whichever comes first.
        The following adapted policy was rescinded by the Lawrence MLS, effective August 4, 2021.
        • Effective from March 2020 to August 4, 2021.
          Additionally, during the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting State of Emergency, a Listed Property Virtual Tour and/or Video Recorded Tour is determined to be an acceptable showing alternative to meet the Lawrence MLS requirement that all active listings be available to show. Furthermore, should a listed property’s availability be subject to a limited time frame, such as weekend showings only, this should be abundantly clear and consistently imposed for all, including the listing agent.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Updates:

August 21, 2021: Douglas Count Health issues Local Public Health Order for ages 2-11 requiring masks in indoor spaces. 

July 27, 2021: CDC and Douglas County Public Health issue recommendations for mask-wearing indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. 

Governor issues Executive Order 20-61: The order temporarily prohibits initiating any new mortgage foreclosure as well as any commercial or residential eviction efforts or judicial proceedings due to financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The order is in effect until September 15, 2020. The Governor stated that this was necessary due to the lack of relief being provided by Congress and that she would let the order expire as soon as they act on a relief package.  

The order does not impact any eviction and foreclosure proceeding that was filed before the effective date of the order (August 17, 2020). In addition, the order only prohibits evictions or foreclosures that are specifically a result of a financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This type of financial hardship is defined as (1) an individual or family suffers a significant loss of income, significant increase in necessary expenses, or inability to work as a direct or indirect result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) the individual's or family's financial resources are depleted to the extent that making mortgage or rent payments would leave them unable to purchase food, medicine, or other goods, supplies, or services necessary to their health and safety.

Governor issues Re-Open Plan; May 4, 2020; Ad Astra: A Plan to re-open Kansas (pdf)

Governor issues Executive Order 20-20: related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) establishing process for remote notary services.

Governor issues Executive Order 20-19: related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) to extend real estate license renewal deadlines 90 days beyond termination date.

Governor Issues "Stay at Home" order - extended through May 3, 2020: Real Estate Services are considered essential - to view the executive order, click here. For more information, click here.

Douglas County Health Officer issues ‘Stay at Home’ order thru April 23rd: This order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, March 24th, 2020. ‘Stay at Home’ order (pdf)

LBOR Office Guidelines:

The health and safety of our members and staff are our highest priority. LBOR/LMLS Staff are on-site at the LBOR Office and are available during business hours 8 am-4 pm, Monday-Friday. Masks are no longer required but are available at each door if needed when visiting the LBOR Office. Please be assured that all member services are available without interruption.

Members are encouraged to contact us for assistance via phone and/or email:

  • Beth Folks: Member Services Coordinator - Beth@LawrenceRealtor.com
  • Linda Manley, MLS Administrator - Linda@LawrenceRealtor.com
  • Rob Hulse, Executive Vice-President - Rob@LawrenceRealtor.com

Office Phone Line – 785-842-1843.

As a reminder, all LBOR classes, meetings, and events are currently being held in person. Virtual options for attendance are offered prior to each class and/or meeting. LBOR Leadership will evaluate the status of future classes, meetings, and events monthly. Please follow the published calendars available on the Paragon homepage, or the events calendar.

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