While the provincial government has included “Land registration services, and real estate agent services and moving services” among the list of essential businesses that can continue to operate during the current provincial state of emergency, RAHB emphasizes that this does not mean it is business as usual. We can’t state strongly enough that If the measures advised by health government and officials, such as social distancing and self-isolation, are to be effective, compliance by everyone is essential. Full stop.
That being said, RAHB recognizes that the typical way of conducting business and the rules around how business is conducted are not 100 percent suited to a virtual world.
With this in mind, during the Ontario COVID-19 state of emergency, RAHB is temporarily relaxing MLS® Rule & Regulation: SECTION 2 – MLS® LISTINGS 2.10 (i).
What does this mean in practice?
- A listing will not be suspended because a property is not available for in-person showings or inspections.
- As in-person showings are temporarily prohibited, virtual showings are permitted instead.
- By complying with direction from public health agencies at the national and provincial levels, RAHB members are individually and collectively helping to slow the spread of COVID-19, thereby protecting themselves, their families and their communities.
What else do I need to know?
- Let other REALTORS® know about your virtual showings by including this information within the REALTOR® or public (Client) remarks section of a listing.
- Remember that REALTOR® contact information is not permitted within the REALTOR® or public (Client) remarks section of a listing – as per RAHB’s MLS® Policies Miscellaneous #5 and #6.
- There are a variety of online and virtual tools that can easily be accessed to conduct business remotely with REALTORS®, buyers and sellers.
What are some tips and best practices for hosting a virtual open house?
- Stick to a schedule – start planning now for your current listings and future virtual tours. FaceTime and Google Hangouts are great options. If you want your open house to be viewed by the public, social media offers “Live” features that are a great way to reach a wide audience (i.e., Facebook Live or Instagram Live).
Practice – trial runs are crucial to make sure both your technology is working and your virtual open house layout is perfect. Walk and pan around the room slowly to reduce pixilation on your video.
There is no such thing as being too descriptive – be sure to use as many descriptive words as possible to help a home buyer envision themselves living in the space.
If you have any questions, please contact the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.
Are all in person showings prohibited? I currently have a vacant house, would agent still be able to show?
OREA is taking the position – and RAHB agrees – that all REALTORS® should stop face-to-face business, including open houses, in-person showings, and maintaining agents and public office hours.
We recognize that RAHB cannot police this; however, RAHB can say don’t undertake in-person activities. The message we have received from OREA is that if REALTORS® don’t act responsibly, there is great potential the provincial government will take away the “essential workplace” designation for real estate. If this happens, then REALTORS®, as well as buyers and sellers, will not a have a choice.
We are relying on members to do the right thing for their communities. We all have to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, and help to maintain the health of our communities.
If a buyer insists they want to see a property in person, how can we deny this for the seller and the buyer feel its their right to exercise this?
The current situation, with so much information and the need to stay
safe/healthy, can be difficult to navigate. Our recommendation is that if
any party (REALTOR®, buyer or seller) has any trepidation to an in-person
showing, then that should be the deciding factor. So, if someone has any
doubt or issue with an in-person showing, then the in-person showing should
not take place. There are virtual resources available for a seller to show a
property and a buyer to see a property. If the buyer wants to make an offer
without physically seeing the property, it is recommended that the buyer put
a clause in the offer that the deal is dependent upon viewing the property
in-person once the state of emergency in Ontario is over.
We understand that there may be situations where a buyer or seller need the
transaction to take place before the state of emergency in Ontario is over.
In these extreme circumstances, an in-person viewing/showing can take place;
however, all hygiene/sanitary precautions should take place before and
after. Also, all Pubic Health guidelines should be followed, such as
direction for those who show symptoms or have recently returned from
international travel.
If the Board, Orea, Crea don’t want in Person showings Why are we allowing Listings to be posted.. Are we able to Legally show a Listing in Person. I am seeing Listings being Sold.
OREA is taking the position – and RAHB agrees – that all REALTORS® should
stop face-to-face business, including open houses, in-person showings, and
maintaining agents and public office hours.
We recognize that RAHB cannot police this; however, RAHB can say don’t
undertake in-person activities. The message we have received from OREA is
that if REALTORS® don’t act responsibly, there is great potential the
provincial government will take away the “essential workplace” designation
for real estate. If this happens, then REALTORS®, as well as buyers and
sellers, will not a have a choice.
We are relying on members to do the right thing for their communities. We
all have to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, and help to maintain
the health of our communities.
RAHB recently relaxed MLS® Rules and Regulations 2.10 (i), which means a
listing will not be suspended because a property is not available for
in-person showings or inspections.
As in-person showings are temporarily prohibited, virtual showings are
permitted instead.
Our recommendation is that if any party (REALTOR®, buyer or seller) has any
trepidation about to an in-person showing, then that should be the deciding
factor. So, if someone has any doubt or issue with an in-person showing,
then the in-person showing should not take place. There are virtual
resources available for a seller to show a property and a buyer to see a
property. If the buyer wants to make an offer without physically seeing the
property, it is recommended that the buyer put a clause in the offer that
the deal is dependent upon viewing the property in-person once the state of
emergency in Ontario is over.
We understand that there may be situations where a buyer or seller need the
transaction to take place before the state of emergency in Ontario is over.
In these extreme circumstances, an in-person viewing/showing can take place;
however, all hygiene/sanitary precautions should take place before and
after. Also, all Pubic Health guidelines should be followed, such as
direction for those who show symptoms or have recently returned from
international travel.