HomeRESA's Updates for Stagers during the COVID-19 Outbreak

We hope you are healthy and if you are having to shelter in place using your time to catch up on your to-do list and plan for recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic hit North America and as Americans and Canadians we are already feeling the strain of financial uncertainty.

RESA HQ and the RESA Board of Directors want to assure you that we are monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis closely and are working to ensure we meet the needs of our members as well as provide for the health and safety of our employees and leadership team. We realize this health crisis has already been disruptive to many businesses across the globe. We feel it is our social, moral and ethical duty to share facts about what we're doing to ensure a positive and safe outcome for all.

WHAT IS COVID-19?

CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

WHAT IS THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO COVID-19?

Risk depends on characteristics of the virus, including how well it spreads between people; the severity of resulting illness; and the medical or other measures available to control the impact of the virus (for example, vaccines or medications that can treat the illness) and the relative success of these. In the absence of vaccine or treatment medications, nonpharmaceutical interventions become the most important response strategy. These are community interventions that can reduce the impact of disease. Visit theCDC's website for latest updates.

Wednesday 5-13-20 1:00 PM PST

RESA invites you to join us for our new Staging Industry Insights Series about COVID-19.

This is the fourth week of our special series, RESA CEO Shell Brodnax will have special guests Christine Rae, RESA BOD and GraceAnn Simoni, RESA Illinois State President, Staging Redesign Group, Inc on to discuss what's happening with COVID-19, what new resources, messaging, insights we can offer, challenges we are facing and open it up for a Q&A.

Wednesday 5-20-20 1:00 PM PST

For the next few weeks RESA invites you to join us for our new Staging Industry Insights Series about COVID-19.

This is the fifth week of our special series, RESA CEO Shell Brodnax will have special guests Richard Kline, RESA BOD and Rachel Borrelli, RESA Alberta Provincial President on to discuss what's happening with COVID-19, what new resources, messaging, insights we can offer, challenges we are facing and open it up for a Q&A.

Guidance On Preparing Workplaces For COVID-19 From OSHA

May 4th, 2020
This guidance is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It contains recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan. Access the guide here.

Guidance On Preventing COVID-19 In The Work Place From The Canadian Government

May 5th, 2020
While all employees should continue to practice physical distancing and hygiene in their personal lives, we also need to take additional measures to protect important workplaces and employees, who are providing essential services. Employers and employees will need to work together to protect the health of employees and clients, and to keep the workplace delivering its essential services. Access the guide here.

Staging Industry Insights LIVE With Industry Leaders: Week Three of a Ten Week Series on Navigating The COVID-19 Crisis

Join Us Live Wednesday 5/6/20 @ 1pm pst
For the next eight weeks RESA invites you to join us for our new Staging Industry Insights Series about COVID-19.

Register to attend LIVE here.

This form is provided as a sample and may not be suitable for every situation

Added 5/4/20
This form should not be considered legal advice or legal opinion. There may be state or municipality specific information that would affect your use of this form. You should review applicable law in your jurisdiction and consult experienced counsel for legal advice. If you use this form (either “as is” or by modifying the form), you are responsible for all content.

RESA members login & access the form here here.

Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19 Outbreak

Updated March 27th, 2020

You may be eligible for unemployment benefits, depending on your personal circumstances and how your state chooses to implement the CARES Act. States are permitted to provide Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment, or who otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment compensation, Learn more here.

Facebook Announces Small Business Grants Program

Updated my 4/24/20
Up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in more than 30 countries where we operate will be able to receive the grant. To be eligible to apply, your business must:

Have between 2 and 50 employees
Have been in business for over a year
Have experienced challenges from COVID-19
Be in or near a location where Facebook operates

Learn more here.

Staging Industry Insights LIVE With Industry Leaders: Week Two of a Ten Week Series on Navigating The COVID-19 Crisis

Join Us Live Wednesday 4/28/20 @ 1pm pst
For the next nine weeks RESA invites you to join us for our new Staging Industry Insights Series about COVID-19.

Register to attend LIVE here.

Staging Industry Insights LIVE With Industry Leaders: Week One of a Ten Week Series on Navigating The COVID-19 Crisis

Join Us Live Wednesday 4/22/20 @ 1pm pst
For the next 10 weeks RESA invites you to join us for our new Staging Industry Insights Series about COVID-19.

The first week RESA CEO Shell Brodnax will have special guests Richard Kline, RESA BOD and Shauna Lynn Simon, Ontario Provincial President on to discuss what's happening with COVID-19, what new resources, messaging, insights we can offer, challenges we are facing and open it up for a Q&A.

Register to attend LIVE here.

Viruses Do Not Discriminate – Make Certain That You Don’t Either

Updated April 14th, 2020
RESA would like to remind all its members of the Code of Ethics that all RESA members are bound to follow, specifically #18:

Shall not deny equal professional services or discriminate against any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Read the full article here.

RESA Encourages Real Estate Stagers to Cease All Face-to-Face Consultations, and Staging

Updated April 4th, 2020
RESA is encouraging real estate stagers to stop all face-to-face consultations and staging properties and to take extra safety precautions on de-stagings if their state/province is allowing you to operate under minimum basic operations in order to help flatten the curve due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. During this unprecedented time where a property listed for sale is occupied by tenants, the health and safety of those tenants, and the staging teams are of the utmost priority.

Read more here.

RESA Creates Social Graphics to Support Staying At Home to Help Flatten The Curve

Updated April 4th, 2020
We've created some social friendly graphics that can be download and shared on your social media pages in support of flattening the curve.

Access the images here.

News from the u.s. small business administration

Updated March 31st, 2020

Due to the CARES Act, small businesses and non-profits in the U.S. can get up to a $10,000 advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan even if your previous application was declined or still pending.

▶️ Apply now: http://sba.gov/disaster
▶️ Learn more: http://sba.gov/coronavirus

For additional questions:

📞Call: 1-800-659-2955 or (TTY: 1-800-877-8339)
📧 Email: DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov

The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Updated March 31st, 2020

The Canadian government is frequently updating their website to include details about: Support for individuals and families, for people facing unemployment, for people who are sick, quarantined, or in directed self-isolation and for people who are unable to work.

Their website also includes information for business owners on the following: Avoiding layoffs, access to credit, supporting financial stability, as well as how they are being flexible with certain taxes.

Learn more here.

RESA Seeks Clarity For Home Stagers to Protect Their Inventory

Updated March 30th, 2020
RESA has received requests from members to get clarity on the different state’s shelter in place orders. RESA understands that stagers need to be able to pick up their inventory from properties that have sold and under current shelter in place orders this is not possible.

We are reaching out to each state and explaining how a stager’s business works, asking for clarification on their rules and if stagers have any leeway with regard to the current orders. As we are hearing back, some states are issuing permission to be able to de-stage properties as long as certain safety protocols are followed.

Learn more here.

RESA Encourages Government Officials to Create COVID-19 Policies and Programs That Will Benefit the Self-Employed

Updated March 22nd, 2020
On March 20, 2020 RESA sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump advocating for real estate stagers. The letter encourages leaders to create policies and programs that will benefit the self-employed, specifically financial programs and grants as opposed to loans that have to be paid back.

On March 22, 2020 we sent a letter to Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, and Mitch McConnell, as well.

Learn more & read the letters here.

Pre-Recorded Clip From Stager Talk RE: COVID-19 Update

Updated March 25th, 2020
Shell Brodnax, RESA CEO had insurance experts and legal council from VillaNova Insurance Partners on for a special edition of Stager Talk all about insurance, contracts, liability and they briefly gave an update about the COVID-19 outbreaks.

You can find the full episode of Stager Talk here.

Staging Studio Shares a Guide To Cleaning Your Inventory

Updated March 30th, 2020
Researchers have estimates that are all over the map regarding how long the virus lives on surfaces - anywhere from 3 hours to 9 days, depending on the study, the type of surface, and environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. It seems to live longer in low temperatures and high humidity; less time in higher temperatures and lower humidity.

Read Staging Studio's guide here.

Home Staging Resource Offers Free Training Resources for Home Stagers and Designers For Working Remotely

Updated March 26th, 2020
This 9-Page A-Z Guide with Video Presentations inside will walk you through the simple steps of automating and reaching clients remotely during this unique time.

Access the guide here.

WHAT PREVENTATIVE MEASURES MAY BE TAKEN
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CONTRACTING AND
SPREADING COVID-19?

The CDC urges individuals to take these measures to protect themselves and others:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Practice social distancing by staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible.
Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
Stay home if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other cold or flu-like symptom.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

SHOULD I STILL CONDUCT IN-PERSON
CONSULTATIONS ON OCCUPIED PROPERTIES?

If you plan on visiting your client's home use these CDC Guidelines to protect yourself and others. You may also consider doing virtual consultations through video messaging.

RESA MEMBERS AND YOUR POLICIES AND CLIENTS

RESA recommends that members follow the guidelines of the CDC for complete up-to-date information regarding cleaning and disinfecting measures click here.

RESA recommends communicating with your clients the additional measures you are taking for your business to ensure the safety of your clients and your team. If you have legal/liability/insurance questions as this relates to your business practices/policy, please consult legal counsel and/or your insurance rep to discuss your specific concerns and how to reduce your risk.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BUSINESS OWNERS CONSIDER TAKING?

RESA recommends that we all stay informed and seek information from credible sources such as the CDC. RESA encourages members to use your best judgment. These situations may change from hour-to-hour. The CDC's Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers is a great resource.

RESA Chapters and Leaders

RESA is requesting that all in-person RESA events/meetings be postponed until a time that it is apparent health risks have been resolved and the CDC has lifted restrictions. RESA will let our leadership team and members know when this restriction has been lifted.

Chapters are encouraged to host virtual meetings as an alternative. Some free options are: Zoom,Google Hangouts, or Free Conference Call.com.

Shell Brodnax is available for chapter meetings please reach out to Shell directly if you would like her to be a speaker at your meeting. Shell@RESA-hq.org

RESA has reached out to the training providers we work with and they are all available to be a ‘virtual speaker’ for any chapter meetings should the need arise.

Their Contact Information:

Expert Psychological Stager Kristie Barnett kristie@thedecorologist.com

Staging Studio Andress Eichstadt Andress@stagingstudio.com

CSP International™ Staging Business Training Academy Christine Rae Christine@StagingTraining.com

Home Staging Resource Audra Slinkey Audra@HomeStagingResource.com

The Academy of Home Staging and Design Kim Kapellusch AcademyofStaging@sbcglobal.net

The Decorating and Staging Academy Sandra Racz Sandra@SandraRacz.com

SLS Academy Shauna Lynn Simon ShaunaLynn@StyledListedSold.com

Transformations Home Staging & Redesign Becky Harmon: Becky@beckyharmon.com