NAR Working to Shape New Pandemic Relief: CLICK HERE
Paycheck Protection Program Update with Mike Baker and James Moody: View the Video
What to Know About PPP Terms, Forgiveness: Erin Stackley, NAR’s senior policy representative for commercial issues, provides an overview of revamped PPP loan terms and forgiveness applications in the latest “Pivot in Place” video. Remember, you still have until Aug. 8 to apply for a PPP loan; the program still has billions of dollars in funds available. Also, consult NAR’s SBA CARES Act FAQs, which includes a step-by-step guide on how to complete the loan forgiveness application form.
NAR has updated its SBA CARES Act FAQs
Freddie, Fannie Extend Aid to Landlords, Renters With federal protections about to expire, landlords are being offered additional help as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Federal Housing Finance Agency said Monday that multifamily property owners currently in forbearance can request an extension of their payment suspension for three additional months. That will amount up to half a year in total.
The Intersection of SBA Loans and Unemployment Assistance: Check out the new NAR Resource here.
Hardest Hit Alabama Reopens: A foreclosure prevention program that helps homeowners keep their home is back online. CLICK HERE for more.
Input Needed: Coronavirus Relief Fund-Governor Ivey is seeking input on how Alabama’s portion of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund should be spent. While the public ponders ideas and suggestions, keep in mind that strict guidelines govern how Alabama may lawfully spend its Coronavirus Relief Fund allotment. The CARES Act requires that payments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund only be used to cover expenses that were: a) necessary due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19; b) were not accounted for in the budget must recently approved as of March 27, 2020; and c) were incurred during the period March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020. See more information on the federal requirements here.
‘Be Safe’ Extends to Online Activity. Beef up your online safety.
The Alabama Association of REALTORS® has provided PPP updates and how to receive full forgiveness on your loan. CLICK HERE and scroll to the PPP Forgiveness section for more information.
The Alabama Association of REALTORS® has released an FAQ for Property Managers during the COVID pandemic
The National Association of REALTORS® has published a comprehensive Workplace Re-Entry checklist. Consider this guidance as you look to open your doors while following public health guidelines. READ MORE
The Alabama Association of REALTORS® has released an FAQ for Property Managers during the COVID pandemic
The National Association of REALTORS® has published a comprehensive Workplace Re-Entry checklist. Consider this guidance as you look to open your doors while following public health guidelines. READ MORE
Article: How Your Response to COVID Can Attract Clients from NAR
Good News for PPP Loans Under $2 Million. The SBA issued additional guidance extending an automatic safe harbor to borrowers with PPP loans less than $2 million. These borrowers are deemed to have made the required certification in good faith.
While working from home, Online Safety is More Important Than Ever. Use these tips to safeguard video calls, watch out for coronavirus-related scams, and protect your business in case of data breaches.
Homesnap has released a guide to their program for agents during the COVID Pandemic. READ MORE
NAR has published a guide (PDF) to better understand the terms used in virtual offerings and explore best practices on how members can show a property while staying safe and healthy. READ MORE
Gov. Ivey has issued an Executive Order to protect small business owners from lawsuit abuse.
We’ve added a directory of HAAR Affiliates and Member Benefits Partners. Buy local and support your colleagues HERE!
ValleyMLS.com Enhancements Available for Virtual Showings & Open Houses READ MORE.
HAAR has released its Q1 2020 Real Estate Economics Report. READ or DOWNLOAD it here.
Dent Moses released a third part to their ongoing Paycheck Protection Program series. WATCH NOW.
For those who submitted loan applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) your next step will be to determine how much of the loan will be forgiven. A template to work through this is linked HERE. Remember to stay tuned to this page and to further guidance from the SBA and federal government.
Confidence Runs Higher on Unemployment Funding READ MORE
New Paragon Feature Live on May 4 READ MORE
ShowingTime rolled out new controls for virtual showings on Monday, April 27. READ MORE
NAR has also updated NAR.realtor/education with free and reduced price classes.
Is Now the Time to Boost Your Social Media Advertising? READ MORE
APRIL 30: Don’t Forget! NAR has made the following resources available to members for free:
APRIL 30: The Alabama SBDC released helpful guidance on the PPP, Unemployment Benefits and more. READ MORE
APRIL 29: Keys to getting an SBA Loan: Persistance and Patience
APRIL 28: Tips from AAR on unemployment insurance. CLICK HERE
APRIL 27: Newest educational opportunities through NAR:
APRIL 26: Two Winning Paths to a PPP Loan: READ MORE
APRIL 24: Agents to Sellers: Don’t Take Your Home Off The Market. Interest from buyers remain and inventory is lean.
APRIL 22: Keep Your Business Secure While Working From Home. READ MORE
APRIL 21: Homesnap is offering their Homesnap Pro+ membership upgrade to agents for $99, a savings of $500. CLICK HERE to take advantage of this offer.
APRIL 21: The State of Alabama also maintains a Covid-19 Information Page. CLICK HERE.
APRIL 20: CARES Act FAQ REALTORS: AAR has set up a page that answers FAQs, including how to apply for a loan and who is eligible. LEARN MORE.
APRIL 19: There’s always good news to be found in our region. Check out this recent blog from the City of Huntsville on signs of hope popping up all over North Alabama. READ MORE
APRIL 19: NAR Calls for Servicing Relief as Banks Tighten Mortgages: READ MORE
APRIL 17: Simplify real estate transactions with your comprehensive transaction management system provided by NAR, featuring zipTMS®, unlimited zipVault® document storage, an exclusive NAR library of REALTOR® Forms & Templates, and access to the industry’s number one forms engine, zipForm® Plus — all at no cost. LEARN MORE.
APRIL 17: Through April 30th, DocuSign is offering new subscribers 3 months of their Business Pro plan for free, plus 25% off prepaid annual accounts — enabling you and your clients to remotely send and sign contracts and agreements. SIGN UP TODAY.
APRIL 16: Unemployment Information from Alabama Department of Labor has been released. Learn more HERE and view a helpful chart from ADOL HERE.
APRIL 15: My Flood Risk PRO is here to assist you while you transition to virtual showings and online client interactions. It’s free and provides you with individual flood risk scores for each property you are selling as well as liability waivers to protect your interest. SIGN UP NOW.
APRIL 12: The Alabama Real Estate Commission will allow virtual CE classes until the end of 2020! HAAR and ValleyMLS.com are stepping up to provide FREE streaming CE courses and other trainings.
Our FREE CE classes are now “sold out”. If you didn’t get to sign up for a CE class this month, stay tuned as we are currently working to provide even more CE options for you going forward.
APRIL 12: Reminder: Governor Kay Ivey has issued a mandatory stay-at-home order, effective Saturday, April 4th at 5pm, for all citizens and businesses, except those designated as essential services. What you need to know:
APRIL 11: If you missed NAR’s Leadership Live, you can watch it here: https://www.nar.realtor/leadership-live
APRIL 10: Catch up on features from RPR:
APRIL 9: NAR will fund two months of enrollment with Members TeleHealth℠ for members in need who sign up by April 15, 2020. CLICK HERE to enroll.
APRIL 8: These documents from the Small Business Administration, Department of Labor, and Treasury Department may be useful to you:
APRIL 6: Agents interested in scheduling virtual open enrollments beginning next week can use the following approved web conferencing services:
APRIL 5: Beginning April 6th, Paragon will offer the ability for agents to Livestream Open Houses and Tours via Zoom or Facebook Live. CLICK HERE to see more about this tool that helps you build your business during uncertain times.
APRIL 5: SBA Cares Act FAQs Click on this link for answers on how to apply for new programs available through federal legislation.
APRIL 4: FHA, VA Easing Appraisal Standards: Government agencies are relaxing some requirements to help keep real estate transactions moving forward. Last week, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced they were easing standards for both property appraisals and employment verifications for loans they are purchasing, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
APRIL 3: Paycheck Protection Program: The U.S. Small Business Administration is gearing up for what’s being called an “unprecedented” level of funding soon to be available under the new Paycheck Protection Program.
APRIL 2: Virtual Business Options to Get the Job Done
APRIL 2: Online Notaries Come to the Rescue
APRIL 2: Open House Guidance from NAR: Consider how you may continue providing first-class services to clients, while also exemplifying REALTORS® as community leaders by demonstrating care for the health and well-being of clients, colleagues and the greater public welfare in reducing the risk of exposure to, and spread of, COVID-19.
APRIL 2: Remember! Special Health and Dental Insurance is Available through the NAR Insurance Marketplace.
APRIL 1: View our ValleyMLS.com Weekly Activity Report for the latest stats for the week ending in March 21.
APRIL 1: New HAAR Remote Learning Opportunities have been added through Friday, April 17th! See more on HAAR’s Facebook Page or below under “Remote Education”.
Freddie Mac Selling Guidance: Freddie Mac making allowances for Covid-19 changes — including Desktop/Exterior only Inspections.
Covid Advocacy FAQs from NAR: Real Estate is critical to economic growth and recovery. While HAAR is working locally, AAR is working with our state government and NAR is working with Congress and the White House to ensure REALTORS are included in Covid-19 response legislation.
Best Practices on House Showings: CRS has shared best practices for showing a property.
AREC Deadline Extension: The Alabama Real Estate Commission has announced that, if an applicant or licensee cannot meet a deadline through no fault of their own because of changes in life due to the coronavirus, all deadlines will be extended until education and other services are restored and the virus is not a risk factor.
Optional Covid-19 Form Available to Agents: The ValleyMLS.com Board of Directors has voted to make a new optional form available to agents regarding the enforceability of real estate contracts during the spread of Covid-19.
Fannie, Freddie, FHA Suspend All Foreclosures and Evictions: Foreclosures and evictions for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac will be suspended for several weeks in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
ValleyMLS.com Board Approves Allowances for Fee Extensions: Currently, ValleyMLS fees are due on April 1, 2020 and late fees assessed on April 15th. If any ValleyMLS member needs an extension of this time frame, simply send an email to Alan@valleymls.com to ask for this extension. So long as we have an email requesting this extension, your request will be granted.
A Note from Alabama State President Morgan Ashurst: Please CLICK HERE for an update from Morgan Ashurst.
Working with HAAR and ValleyMLS.com Staff during Covid Response: While HAAR and ValleyMLS.com offices are closed to the public during our coronavirus response, staff remains completely available and ready to help you.
Homesnap Stories: Homesnap is offering a free alternative available to all agents within Homesnap, called Homesnap Stories. Agents can make their own videos of their listings and they will be prominently displayed in the media section of the listing alongside photos and tours. Read more about Homesnap Stories by clicking HERE.
Covid Resources and Guidelines for Employers and Offices: NAR has provided OSHA, ADA and more guidance for brokers and other employers.
How to Keep Your Phone, Laptop and Car Germ-Free: Cell phones and other everyday objects could potentially carry the coronavirus. Washing your hands and disinfecting areas frequently touched are the best strategies for stopping the spread of germs, according to the CDC.
Treasury and IRS to delay tax payment deadline by 90 days: The Treasury has announced that taxpayers can delay paying their income taxes on as much as $1million in taxes for up to 90 days.
