COVID-19 Resources
IMPORTANT NOTE: None of the information provided constitutes legal advice. Please consult with your attorney with any specific questions.
You may also contact the NC REALTORS® Legal Hotline which is open during regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. To contact the Legal Hotline, email legalhotline@ncrealtors.org.
Regardless of what allowances you have in your local community or through the state order, this is not the time for business as usual. It is possible to LOSE OUR DESIGNATION AS AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS if members violate these orders, particularly as to the health and safety guidelines.
Industry Resources
NAR: Open House Guidance During COVID-19
NAR: Fair Housing Guidance During COVID-19
NC REALTORS®: COVID-19 Status Updates
LATEST UPDATES
(12/21/2021)
Gaston Association of REALTORS® is committed to keeping the health and safety of our onsite attendees a top priority. We are implementing safety protocols to ensure the well-being of our event attendees and staff. These safety protocols are subject to change based on updated guidance and requirements from federal, state and local authorities. All attendees to GAR events will be required to sign a COVID-19 liability waiver at the check-in table for each event.
Gaston Association of REALTORS® is continuing to monitor the CDC guidelines and health authorities in the event a communicable disease (COVID-19 or other) event arises and government-imposed restrictions or recommendations apply to in-person events or if there are recommendations.
Wear masks indoors at all times, regardless of vaccination status, except when actively eating or drinking. Gaiters, bandanas, face shields, and valve masks are not acceptable.
Those attending GAR committee meetings or educational meetings are doing so at their own risk.
If you have been exposed, test positive to COVID-19 or felling ill; please do not attend the event/meetings.
Local State and CDC Restrictions and Recommendations
(02/24/2021)
Governor Cooper announced the state will carefully ease some of its COVID-19 restrictions.
Executive Order 195
(01/28/2021)
Governor Cooper further extends Modified Stay At Home Order through Feb. 28
(06/25/2020)
North Carolina Pauses in Safer At Home Phase 2, Adds Statewide Requirement for Face Coverings
NAR has created a flyer with an overview of The Intersection of SBA Loans and Unemployment Assistance
(05/07/2020)
On Tuesday evening, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 138 “Easing Restrictions on Travel, Business Operations, and Mass Gatherings: Phase 1.”
Through this Order, the Governor begins to implement his plan to re-open businesses and other functions of our state’s economy. This order will take effect at 5:00 PM on Friday, May 8 and will likely remain active until at least May 22.
(04/24/2020)
Cooper extends statewide Stay-At-Home Order through May 8
“I will not risk the health of our people or our hospitals, and easing these restrictions will do that.”—Governor Roy Cooper
Yesterday, Governor Cooper announced an extension of his statewide stay-at-home order under Executive Order 121, this directive effectively ceased “non-essential activities” to flatten the curve of the coronavirus.
Unemployment Benefits Application Now Open to Independent Contractors
North Carolinians can apply for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning TODAY, April 24, 2020 at des.nc.gov. Yesterday, NC REALTORS® spoke with staff members from the NC Division of Employment Security and have put together a NC REALTORS® specific Q&A HERE.
You can find additional information about unemployment on the NC Division of Employment Security’s website including their updated information page about PUA applications, payments, and filing tips.
Beware of Fraud
While programs like Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) are designed to support Americans during the pandemic, scammers are also looking to take advantage of people in need. Beware of anyone posing as NC REALTORS®, NAR, or your local association who asks for your personal banking or security information.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein continues to post information about how to spot and protect yourself from scams on the NC Department of Justice website. If you have fallen victim to a fraud or scam please contact the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-(877)-5-NO-SCAM or complete the complaint form online here.
NAR COVID-19 Hotline 800-874-6500
NAR has launched a hotline for REALTORS® to answer questions that you may have about your business and many of the federal programs which have been activated to help.
(04/14/2020)
The last few weeks have been extremely trying...sometimes even chaotic for so many of us. Trying to help your clients during a pandemic is probably one of the greatest challenges we'll ever face.
I wanted to let you know how incredibly hard your association is working on your behalf and how we're continuing to advocate for homeownership.
This week we will hold virtual committee meetings to discuss events planned for 2020 and how to move forward during COVID-19. It's important to support each other during this time and stay connected. While it's not business as usual these days, we are still the Voice of Real Estate in Gaston County!
GAR Members don't forget to join the GAR members closed Facebook group to stay up to date. Non-Members like our Facebook page to see updates on real estate information in Gaston County. Also, follow us on Twitter.
Upcoming Events Postponed/Cancelled (dates subject to change pending Covid-19)
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20th Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Communities in Schools, postponed to October 5, 2020
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Realtor Political Action Committee (RPAC) Cuban Butt Fundraiser scheduled for May is postponed, pending date confirmation
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May Membership Luncheon tentatively changed to June 10, 2020 (Registration will open soon & is required to attend)
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June 9 GENUP & Elective in-person class (pending NCREC education updates)
Information Links for Members
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Canopy MLS has provided a resource directory of the 25-County Stay At Home orders served by Canopy MLS with direct links to specific county municipal websites. Download the resource directory
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Contractor/Self Employed Unemployment Questions: see the NAR Resource Page for Details, CLICK HERE
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The North Carolina Employment Security Commission has launched a COVID-19 resource page with information. Currently includes guidance for independent contractors.
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Stay at Home Guide for Members (03/27/2020)
Practices and Guidelines for Real Estate Professionals under COVID-19 Stay at Home Ordinance in Gaston County
Recently, Gaston County announced the implementation of Stay at Home Orders to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. These Executive Orders require residents to remain in their homes unless they are engaging in designated permitted activities deemed necessary to the public, health, safety and welfare of the state and its economy. You can find the full version here.
GAR leadership is advocating that safe and healthy real estate business is essential to our community. We urge all members to consult with their BIC’s and attorneys as they navigate this ever-evolving situation. With the technology available today, we are confident REALTORS® can, and will, seek to provide essential real estate services, including the active marketing of properties, through virtual practices.
Members should understand that the COVID-19 emergency and the Gaston County response to the emergency is rapidly evolving. GAR urges all members to make sure they are receiving and reading factual and up to date information as much as possible. Visit the CDC’s website and the North Carolina Department of Health websites for the latest updates about the virus.
Additional information about the impact of Coronavirus on the real estate industry can be found on the National Association of REALTORS’® website. NAR has also created a hotline (800-874-6500) for members to to get the latest information on what programs and services are being developed to help them in their business during this time. GAR urges everyone to do their part in the real estate arena to help slow the spread of this illness.
We want to provide our members the following resources for maintaining safety throughout the REALTOR® community while also supporting homeowners and those requiring shelter. GAR will update this page as additional information becomes available in the coming days.
Additional Resources:
Mecklenburg/Charlotte SAH Order
NAR Coronavirus Guide for REALTORS®
City News Source - City of Gastonia
Working Together
Leadership is closely monitoring state and national expert's and official's advice in regards to the Coronavirus. The office is closed to visitors until further notification. GAR has cancelled and/or postponed events, CE in-person classes and committee meetings until further notice. Those registered for CE classes have been emailed details regarding virtual access.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. The health and safety of our community remains our main priority.
GAR new member applications and transfers can be handled via email and phone. See home page under Become Member tabs for applications and instructions.
Contact Canopy MLS directly if you need MLS assistance (704-940-3159).
NAR has provided a Coronavirus Guide for REALTORS®
Additional current general COVID-19 information can be found at DHEC and the CDC.
NCR Member Legal Hotline (legalhotline@ncrealtors.org) and Member Tech Helpline (877-573-5612 or email support@techhelpline.com) will remain open.
Join the GAR members closed Facebook group to stay up to date.