SWMLS Restores in-person Open Houses and Issues Guidelines
SWMLS Restores in-person Open Houses and Issues Guidelines
COVID-19 and resulting stay-at-home mandates have presented the real estate industry with many challenges. In April 2020, the ability to promote in-person Open Houses was temporarily disabled to limit potential exposure to our members, clients and the public.

As New Mexico begins to reopen in phases, GAAR and SWMLS leadership approved the following effective June 4, 2020:
  • The Open House feature has been restored in Flexmls
  • SWMLS Guidelines for in-person Open Houses have been issued

Any Member choosing to conduct in-person Open Houses is required to follow SWMLS Guidelines to protect our members, clients and the public from exposure to COVID-19.

Not all brokers and sellers may be comfortable with opening their homes for in-person open houses and should be treated as a collaborative decision between the seller and their broker.

Live-Stream and Virtual Open Houses will continue to be offered in Flexmls and Remine, as an alternative.

We are all responsible for keeping the health of the public a priority. Your cooperation and patience is appreciated as we are all eager to get back to normalcy. 

                
Sherry Fowler                        Scott Dean
2020 GAAR President             2020 SWMLS President

 
For more information, contact the SWMLS Help Desk
     505-843-8833 / mls@gaar.com / Live Chat at swmls.com

COVID-19 Guidelines for In-Person Open Houses

Please adhere to the following recommendations to minimize the exposure of REALTORS®, clients, and the public to COVID-19.

Prior to an Open House

  • Virtual Tours for a property should be recommended before any in-person showings
  • Discuss with seller the precautions that will be taken and adhere to any specific requirements requested
  • Maintain one entry into a home
  • Turn on lights and open any closet, cabinet doors, or window coverings
  • Open additional doors and/or windows to allow outdoor ventilation
  • Sanitize any possible touch points or common surfaces
  • Create a log for visitor names and contact information
  • Provide masks, sanitizer & disinfectant wipes
  • Post sign at the door with guidelines and include Broker contact information

During an Open House

  • Require all visitors to complete the contact log
  • Allow a maximum of 5 people (including broker) to tour at one time
  • Allow only one group to tour at a time
  • Require all visitors to sanitize hands and wear masks
  • Require visitors to maintain 6 ft of social distancing
  • Instruct visitors to avoid touching any surface in the home
  • Restrict visitors from using the bathroom facilities
  • Sanitize touch points or common surfaces after each visitor/group
  • Maintain the visitor log and request that visitors inform their Broker if they fall ill within 14 days of viewing the property
  • An additional person in attendance should control entry and review guidelines with new arrivals

Additional Recommendations

  • Open Houses should not be scheduled for any Pending Listing

These guidelines are subject to change as GAAR and SWMLS monitor the COVID-19 situation and adapt to any new restrictions set forth by the state for real estate services.