Effective Wednesday, June 30th, Washington State will lift the majority of restrictions imposed on businesses, including those restrictions affecting the real estate industry.

However, certain face covering requirements still apply to real estate firms and sellers may impose their own requirements for those visiting a property. As always, brokers should be respectful of others and continue to follow recommended health guidelines.

Brokers and their clients must adhere to any requirements or restrictions imposed by the seller of a property, including required appointments, mandatory face coverings, capacity limitations, or other instructions. Listing brokers should detail any requirements in the listing and post signs at the property regarding any specific instructions (e.g. face covering required to enter).

Real estate firms may open their offices at 100% capacity, provided that firms comply with certain protocols from the Department of Labor and Industries, including the following face covering requirements:

Consumers visiting a real estate office:

• Firms can allow consumers who are fully vaccinated to not wear a face covering after providing proof of vaccination; or
• Firms can allow consumers who are fully vaccinated to not wear a face covering based upon the honor system.

For brokers and employees in a real estate office:

• Firms can require all brokers/employees to wear a face covering; or
• Firms can allow brokers/employees who are fully vaccinated to not wear a face covering after (a) showing vaccine card or photo of vaccine card; (b) documentation from a health care provider; (c) state immunization information system record; or (d) providing a signed document attesting to vaccination. The firm should maintain a log of persons who have verified that they have been vaccinated, including the method and date of verification.

Governor Inslee’s recent announcement is available here. The latest information about the Washington State coronavirus response is available here.

Washington REALTORS® has provided FAQ guidance here.

Please review the downloadable PDF for clarification on which activities are permitted and the protocols required for permitted activities.

If you have questions on this, or any other real estate legal question, email [email protected]. The Legal Hotline is a Washington REALTOR® member-only benefit.

Happy Juneteenth!

On Thursday, May 13, 2021 Washington State Governor Jay Inslee declared Juneteenth an official state holiday, making June 19 a paid day off for state workers starting in 2022.

Juneteenth —also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day— marks the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 and informed the last enslaved African Americans there that they were free and that the war had ended. This news was delivered more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued on January 1, 1863.

Let’s celebrate and honor the importance of this day!

• Learn more about this important day in America’s history at the official Juneteenth site.
• Celebrate Juneteenth by supporting Black-owned businesses across the country and in our neighborhood.
• Check out How Stuff Works to learn “How Juneteenth Became Black Independence Day.”
• Learn more about “Black Innovators Who Made Daily Life Easier.”
• Listen to “Lift Every Voice and Sing” — a song which has been deemed by many to be the “Black National Anthem.”
• Celebrate fiction and nonfiction by African American authors who continue to shape our culture, celebrate liberation, and acknowledge the ongoing work towards freedom and equality by checking out this Juneteenth reading list.
• Reflect on this historic day and how we can continue the celebration of African Americans in our communities.

The Whitman County Association of REALTORS® (WCAR) is proud to announce the recipient of this year’s Scholarship Award — Rosalia High School Senior Christina Ward of Latah, WA!

Daughter of Greg and Michelle Ward, Christina was named Valedictorian of the Rosalia Class of 2021. She maintained a 3.99 grade point average and was a participant in the Olympia Page Program, Future Farmers of America, ASB, Tough As Nails Youth Group, Rosalia Garden Club and Lions Club.

Christina received the State FFA Degree, Chapter FFA Degree and Greenhand Degree. She was in the National Honors Society, the FFA Chapter President, Vice-President and Secretary, as well as Class President. She was active in golf, volleyball and softball during her time at Rosalia.

Christina plans on attending Washington State University to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture and Food Systems. She hopes to take over the family farm — becoming a second-generation farmer.

Several students throughout Whitman County were considered for this scholarship award of $1,000 to aid in their upcoming educational expenses at Washington State University. The criteria for winning this award included a review of the student’s civic and social activities, letters of recommendation, grade point average and a written essay of his or her educational goals and foreseeable challenges.