Infograph with Statistics
from other countries from 3/20 theconversation.com 

 CDC Checklist for Home

CDC (Download Checklist) OR go to CDC site to Create a household plan of action
(see our emergency prep checklist at bottom)

 How to Remove Gloves

*If you do wear gloves please remember anything you touch is now on your gloves. When removing them grasp at the outside of the glove near the wrist pulling glove off and into a ball with the gloved hand then place your now glove free hand on the inside of the gloved hand pulling away from you all the way off until it's inside out so both gloves will now be enclosed into a ball then dispose into trash.

 *Resources for Businesses*

 OSHA advice on work safety
“OSHA”  Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
of the United States Department of Labor

Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. OSHA Publication 3990, (March 2020).

Additionally, recommended strategies for employers from the CDC can found at this link.

 US RepresenativeTexas Congressman of the 3rd District Van Taylor 

 Coronavirus.gov is the site the government gives for information does not have Texas business relief listed as of today but our congressmen does on his website. 

March 19, 2020, Governor Abbott declared a Public Health Disaster for the State of Texas. This declaration calls for all schools, restaurant dining rooms, bars, and gyms to remain closed through April 3, 2020. Texans were also directed to avoid gathering in groups of more than ten.

 Financial Assistance for Businesses Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program  to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the coronavirus.
 You can also learn more about the 3-step-process here.
Small businesses in Collin County can apply for relief here.

 Other SBA Loans SBA provides a number of loan resources for small businesses to utilize when operating their business.
For more information on loans or how to connect with a lender, visit the SBA website.

 Advance Funds from Treasury Department The United States Department of Treasury will provide advance funds to businesses so they can meet paid sick-leave requirements. Employers will be able to use cash deposited with the Internal Revenue Service to pay sick-leave wages.           Learn more here. 

Tax Deadline Extension
he Department of Treasury and IRS have moved Tax Day from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020 for small and medium size businesses and individuals who need it.

Reforms to Employee Benefits 

Paid Sick Leave Program Reforms 
If an employee's ability to work has been impacted by COVID-19, the employer may be required to temporarily provide for fully paid sick leave. Public and Private employers with less than 500 employees will now be required to provide full-time employees with two weeks (80 hours) paid sick leave as well as part-time employees on a pro-rated basis. This leave would apply to full-time employees who are home sick from coronavirus, complying with a quarantine, or taking care of an individual who has been infected. This leave also applies to working families who may be forced home due to school closures.

The federal government will provide employers with a refundable payroll tax credit of 100% of the required wages. More details can be found here. 

Employers are required to cover employees not working for the reasons listed here.
Furthermore, the United States Department of Treasury will provide advance funds to businesses so they can meet paid sick-leave requirements. Learn more here.

Paid Family Medical and Leave Program Changes 
Due to COVID-19, some employers may be required to temporarily extend Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits to employees who must stay home to care for a minor child whose school or care provider is unavailable due to COVID-19. If this situation applies to an employee, employers are required to provide said employee with ten weeks paid leave at two-thirds of their wages. However, payments are not to exceed $200 per day and $10,000 total for the 10 weeks. More details can be found here. 

Unemployment Benefits
https://www.careeronestop.org/
Learn more about filing unemployment due to the COVID pandemic.
https://twc.texas.gov/news/unemployment-news

https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/Find-Unemployment-Benefits.aspx


Independent Contractors/Self-Employed
If you are diagnosed with COVID and a few other qualifications met you might qualify learn more here.
Recent articles related:
Washington Post
The Balance Careers

Other Financial Institutions:
Texans Credit Union 800.843.5295 to make a Skip-A-Pay request

Stimulus Checks can be found at one of the government links above but I thought this article from The Penny Hoarder was informative with links to calculators.

 Real Estate Industry + Safety Tips 

Realtors

Apps-  GoOptionPay and Zoccam

Listings in a COVID-19 Reality - Our new reality of social distancing and business closures doesn’t mean a home can not be sold. There are ways we can help clients sell their homes and buyers purchase many of which we've used in the past for our out of state investors or relocation clients. For example Virtual showings, paperless transactions, and more.
Obvisouly this is a constantly changing situation so I'd advise for us to discuss in more detail your exact situation and any city orders that might occur that way we can let you know what the current options available are. My direct number is  214-682-5009 press 

Title Companies are deemed an essential business and will remain open. RON capabilities, Mobile Notaries, Electronic Signing or Curbside closings will be used whenever possible and most at no charge.

What sellers can do to protect themselves if their home is being shown while still living in home as of 3/20:

• Put out a basket like I did below with gloves, shoe covers, hand sanitizer even masks and trash sack.
• Put several hand sanitizer bottles throughout house.
• Open all doors before the showing.
• Request the buyer watch a detailed walk thru video of the home to ensure it fits their criteria.
• Request pre-qualification status from buyers agent.
• Lysol knobs countertops faucets after showing.

What buyers can do to protect themselves and protect the seller:

• Only bring the necessary decision makers to view the home.
• If you have children either take turns with mom and dad viewing the home or carry your children.  Kiddos just can't help touching everything especially if you tell them not to since their impulse control is not fully developed.

• Carry gloves or keep your hands in your pockets.

• Put on shoe covers or plastic bags. You can remove your shoes which helps to prevent you bringing germs into the home. From what we are hearing as of 3.21 the COVID19 virus is dead once it hits the floor but they are also saying that it can live on surfaces for many hours. If that is true you'd be safe just removing shoes but if you want to be extra covered then wear the covers.
• View the home on google satelite walk the streets with little yellow google dude.Review MLS sheet closely noting what level items are on.  Ask your Realtor to ensure it fits all your criteria.Drive thru the neighborhood before the showing.Search online for any walk thru videos of the home by typing the address in google.Have your realtor walk thru the home with you on facetime or skype.

#openhouse  #virtualopenhouse  #realestateisstillopen

This is an older video but I think it does relate slightly to this in that a recession does not automatically equal a housing recession. I'll continue to update on the market but I've surprisingly seen a surge in buyers wanting to view homes in the week of 3/16.

Federal Appraisal Standards
On March 23, the Federal Housing Finance Agency directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to allow the use of appraisal alternatives to reduce the need for appraisers to conduct interior property inspections for eligible mortgages through May 17, 2020. This move is intended to reduce transaction delays due to appraisers unable or unwilling to enter properties to conduct interior inspections. See more updates on federal advocacy at nar.realtor/coronavirus.

Potential Impact on Property Taxes
Property tax reform legislation passed in 2019 lowers the amount most cities and counties may increase property tax rates year-to-year without voter approval from 8% to 3.5%. However, a governor-declared disaster could allow that amount to stay at 8%. Texas REALTORS® continues to monitor this and other issues relevant to Texas real estate.

 MORTGAGE INDUSTRY

Market Update & Recomendations from Supreme Lending March 23, 2020

COVID-19/Mortgage Industry Update from JVM March 18, 2020 

Mortgage Rates Barely Move; Hell Actually Breaks Loose; Fed Cuts Rates to Zero from JVM  March 16, 2020