With each day comes new information about how the real estate industry is being impacted by this invisible threat to our health and economic prosperity. We know it’s not easy, but we are here for you now more than ever and are striving to bring you the news you need to know to weather this challenging time.

Like you, Minneapolis Area Realtors is adapting to the changes that are coming our way so we can continue to provide the quality service you have come to expect while balancing the need for safety during this COVID-19 pandemic. Together with you, we can meet the challenges that come our way and emerge stronger once this crisis has passed.

Open Houses Not Advised

To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Minneapolis Area Realtors^® (MAR) is joining with Minnesota Realtors^® and the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors^® in advising its members to not hold open houses at this time.

By refraining from holding open houses and using other options such as virtual tours, Realtors^® can do their part to support government and health agencies in their efforts to flatten the curve of COVID-19 outbreaks across the region.

NorthstarMLS has disabled the “open house” feature in its online home listing database.

Alternatives to Open Houses

There are other methods to show a home and keep buyers, sellers and Realtors^® safe. These include virtual showings technology that can take the buyer on a virtual journey, detailed smart phone videos or live video chats to walk buyers through a property.

Precautions during Showings 

There are several precautions Realtors^® are taking while showing a home. These include the following:

• Allowing one person in the house at a time.
• Leaving lights on and closet doors open to limit touch.
• Driving separately to houses.
• Providing hand sanitizer for use upon entering and leaving a house.
• Asking clients to stay home if they don’t feel well or have had any known exposure.
• Asking sellers for notification if someone in the house doesn’t feel well. Houses can be

placed TNAS (temporarily not available for showing).

MAR Physical Office Hours Change

Effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020, MAR will reduce the hours of operation at our physical location to Thursdays from 9am to 1pm. MAR staff will continue to serve members via phone and email during our normal work hours of Monday through Friday 8am – 4:30pm.

As always, members can contact staff via phone at 952.933.9020 and online at info@mplsrealtor.com. Please check our website for other information at mplsrealtor.com.