Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources and Information

Date: March 24, 2020

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The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association is committed to keeping you in the know with updates and resources regarding the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on your business and industry. Keep checking back — this page will be updated regularly with new information. While the WRA continues its operations from remote locations, you can continue to lean on us for the services and support you need, including the WRA Legal Hotline, found on the web at www.wra.org/LegalHotline, our education department by emailing educate@wra.org and the WRA Tech Helpline at 866-610-7997.

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Updated 11:15 a.m. CT, March 25, 2020

WRA Releases FAQ Document Regarding "Safer at Home" Executive Order

The WRA legal team has created a list of frequently asked questions relating to Gov. Evers’ Emergency Order #12 "Safer at Home" Order.

Download the FAQ document >> 

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Updated 4:15 p.m. CT, March 24, 2020

WRA Letter to Members Regarding "Essential Business"

In response to Gov. Tony Evers' "safer at home" executive order issued today, the WRA drafted a letter to all WRA members identifying their status as “essential business” under the order. While this letter is not a legal document, it is intended to serve as a resource for you to carry with you in case your status is questioned.

Download the letter >> 

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Updated 11:30 a.m. CT, March 24, 2020

Gov. Evers Officially Announces "Safer at Home" Executive Order

Today, Gov. Tony Evers officially issued a "safer at home" executive order for the state of Wisconsin to help control the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus). Under this order, all businesses are required to close their doors beginning Wednesday, March 25 at 8:00 a.m. through Friday, April 24 at 8:00 a.m. unless they are identified as "essential services." The order defines "essential services" to include the following services related to the real estate industry:

  • Real estate services 
  • Accounting 
  • Appraisers 
  • Building trades (carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, moving and relocation services, etc.)
  • Construction (essential business and housing) 
  • Home inspection 
  • Insurance companies 
  • Legal 
  • Lenders (banks and credit unions) 
  • Property management 
  • Title companies

This means that real estate brokerage services and most services related to real estate transactions are currently allowed to continue during the duration of the executive order. However, you are not required to provide these services during the executive order. If you decide to provide these services, you must continue to maintain social distancing requirements (a minimum of 6 feet between people), follow reasonable health and safety protocols, and follow all other public health recommendations issued by the State Department of Health Services and U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

See Gov. Evers' "Stay At Home" Executive Order online here >>

We will continue to provide you information and how it impacts your practice and real estate transactions. Again, if you have any questions or if we can provide you with assistance, please contact us. 

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Updated 3:00 p.m. CT, March 23, 2020

WRA Announcement Regarding Gov. Evers' "Stay at Home" Executive Order

Gov. Tony Evers announced earlier today that he will be issuing a "stay at home" executive order on Tuesday, March 24 to help control the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). As part of this executive order, Gov. Evers will be directing all businesses to close their doors starting Tuesday unless they are identified as "essential services." The WRA will continue to work closely with Gov. Evers' administration to ensure that the executive order identifies real estate services (brokerage, financing, appraisal, title, construction, property management, etc.) as "essential" to Wisconsin's families, businesses and economy. We will update you as soon as we have new information.

In the meantime, please continue to contact us if you have any questions or if we can provide you with any assistance during these uncertain times.

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Updated 2:01 p.m. CT, March 19, 2020

DSPS Update

Per the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), “All DSPS walk-up counters are closed until further notice. Customers are encouraged to submit forms, applications, and requests online. The Hill Farms Office Building, which houses the DSPS service counter, remains otherwise open to the public as of March 18, 2020.” This information can be found at https://dsps.wi.gov/pages/Home.aspx.  

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Updated 1:31 p.m. CT, March 19, 2020

Remote Notary Update

While a great many things can be accomplished electronically in a real estate transaction, there are still a few documents under Wisconsin law that require notarization to occur in person. However, with social distancing concerns relating to COVID-19, there has been an increase of questions and concerns from people not wanting to go into an office to sign certain documents.

Recent legislation regarding Remote Online Notarization (RON) was signed by Gov. Tony Evers in early March and was not effective until May 1, 2020. RON allows for remote or e-notarization in Wisconsin, which essentially allows consumers to have certain documents notarized remotely, including deeds and mortgage documents, rather than in person. [Full story]

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Updated 1:01 p.m. CT, March 19, 2020

Coronavirus: Legal Q&As

The WRA Legal Hotline has received several inquiries on conducting real estate business during the coronavirus quarantine period. Get answers to common questions on agency cooperation duties and showings, including writing an offer when a buyer has seen property but agent refused, and open houses and showings in vacant home. [Full story]

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Updated 9:30 p.m. CT, March 18, 2020

New Addendum CV

In response to contractual concerns relating to the coronavirus, the WRA created Addendum CV - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Provisions to help. The WRA Addendum CV helps to address challenges parties currently under contract may be experiencing due to COVID-19 in their real estate transaction. WRA Addendum CV provides provisions relating to contract deadline extensions for office closures of government entities or settlement service providers due to COVID-19 as well extensions of deadlines and access due to COVID-19 isolation to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Due to the ever-evolving concerns and discussions surrounding the virus, this form may be frequently changed. We will keep you informed as to any modifications and explanations accordingly. The WRA legal team will continue to work to help provide you and your consumers guidance during these unprecedented times. 

WRA Addendum CV:

Download PDF Form

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Updated 7:00 p.m. CT, March 18, 2020

COVID-19 Impact: Real Estate Transactions and Practices

The coronavirus is creating new and unprecedented issues in real estate transactions. The WRA’s legal team is here to assist during these challenging times. This video addresses concerns with current listings, contract drafting, remote notaries and resources for additional information.



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Updated 5:00 p.m. CT, March 17, 2020

WRA Moves to Callback System

All of our services are currently available. Our staff members are continuing to work hard in light of increasing concerns about the coronavirus. Since many WRA team members are currently working remote, we ask that members leave a callback message for assistance, and we will return phone calls as soon as possible during normal business hours, Monday to Friday,  8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST.

Contact the WRA

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Updated 2:00 p.m. CT, March 16, 2020

WRA Business Operations

In response to the growing concerns and rapidly evolving circumstances regarding the coronavirus, the WRA will take the following actions, effective immediately: 

WRA Programming

  • All WRA education courses, in-person meetings and events are cancelled through at least April 30, 2020. Further cancellations will be determined on a weekly basis.
  • Students affected by class cancellations will be notified separately and provided alternative options.
  • All future programming is also under review to determine if it can be rescheduled and/or offered virtually, on-demand or by other means.  
  • The WRA staff will remain accessible and available to our members during these unique times. Members seeking information about any WRA product, service or topic should call, email or contact us as usual.

 WRA Operations

  • The physical WRA offices will be closed to the general public and members until further notice. 
  • A voice-answering service for all incoming phone calls to the WRA will be routed to the appropriate staff for timely responses. 
  • Delivery and shipping of WRA physical products will continue but may be delayed due to the coronavirus impact.

 Future Notices and Communications

  • For the foreseeable future, members can expect increased communications from the WRA regarding COVID-19 developments via the weekly real estate news email, social media and other means. 

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Updated 5:00 p.m. CT, March 17, 2020

Resources and Articles of Interest

All of our services are currently available. Our staff members are continuing to work hard in light of increasing concerns about coronavirus. Since many WRA team members are currently working remote, we ask that members leave a callback message for assistance, and we will return phone calls as soon as possible during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST.

Resources

Articles of interest

  • Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD Suspending All Foreclosures and Evictions read here >>
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Appraiser’s Discussion and Resource Page read here >>
  • Mortgage Lenders Consider Plan to Suspend Payments Amid Crisis read here >>
  • Self-employed, Small Business Included in Emergency Aid Measures and HUD/FHFA 60-day Moratorium: read here >>

The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association is one of the largest trade associations in the state of Wisconsin, representing over 16,500 professionals statewide. Its membership includes REALTORS®, appraisers, home inspectors, affiliate members and other professionals involved with the real estate process. Members can take full advantage of a wide variety of products and services to assist with day-to-day business, including a legal staff, education offerings and political representation, as well as several print and online publications.


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