Keeping Ontario Home Buyers and Sellers Safe

As the Government opens the economy and interest in the market increases, OREA publishes guidelines to protect home buyers and sellers

TORONTO, ON – With the Ontario Government announcing stage one of its Framework for Reopening our Province, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has issued a series of guidelines to protect the health and safety of buyers, sellers and REALTORS® during the process of transacting a home.

When the Province entered a state of emergency in March, OREA worked with the Province to shut-down open houses and called upon Realtors to use digital tools to the greatest extent possible to conduct virtual open houses, showings and execute real estate transactions. Now that the Ontario Government has announced stage one of its plan to re-open the economy and with many consumers looking to get back into the market, it is important that Realtors continue to help their clients feel safe and secure and keep the virus at bay.

“The health and safety of our Realtors and their clients is OREA’s top priority during this pandemic,” says Sean Morrison, President of OREA. “As Ontario’s economy reopens, many Ontarians are looking to get back into the real estate market. Realtors are here to help make home buyers and sellers feel comfortable and safe while they work to find their dream home. OREA’s guidelines have been informed by up-to-date information from public health, best practices from the industry and experiences in jurisdictions across North America.”

OREA’s guidelines cover general advice as well information for Realtors selling properties and those working with home buyers. For example:

• Realtors should first and foremost continue to use virtual tools, conduct virtual open houses and virtual showings to the greatest extent possible;
• Use phone, email or video for client communications;
• Process documents, forms and acknowledgments electronically;
• Thoroughly disinfect surfaces, leave doors open and keep lights on at all-times during in-person showings; and
• When interacting with clients, maintain physical distancing and use personal protective equipment when distancing is not possible.

To read OREA’s phase one guidelines for real estate transactions click here.

About the Ontario Real Estate Association

The Ontario Real Estate Association represents 80,000 REALTORS® who are Members of the 37 real estate boards throughout the province. OREA’s mission is to help Ontario REALTORS® succeed in building stronger communities. For almost one hundred years, OREA has promoted higher standards in real estate for the benefit of consumers and REALTORS® alike. As one of Canada’s largest professional associations, we are Ontario’s strongest advocate for home and property ownership, property rights, and prosperous communities. OREA serves its REALTOR® members through the production of Standard Forms, top-tier advocacy, award-winning leadership development and other services.

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