Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statement
March 16, 2019
To our valued clients:
April 9, 2020
Governor Whitmer’s order to Stay at Home makes it clear that real estate services such as photography for listings and showings are non-essential and must cease operations until April 30. MAR is also instructing members to not engage in listings or showings during this time. Real estate photography does NOT qualify as an essential service regardless, and therefore we have blocked our calendar until April 13th. Clients may book appointments, however, please realize that state guidelines may change and the Stay at Home order may be extended without warning. Clients with appointments will get scheduling priority when we are able to safely resume business. We are the largest provider of real estate media services in the state and have a large team that will be ready to work as soon as it’s safe to.
When we are able to resume work, our photographers will continue to practice risk-minimizing protocols outlined in our previous update below.
For additional information please also see:
Executive Order 2020-21 (COVID-19) https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-522626--,00.html
and
Executive Order 2020-21 FAQs
Q: Are real estate agents, brokers, and real estate service employees considered critical infrastructure workers under 2020-21?
A: These workers do not constitute “critical infrastructure workers” and thus may not leave their homes for work unless, under section 9(d) of the order, they are “provid[ing] food, shelter, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, individuals who need assistance as a result of this emergency, and people with disabilities.” This is a tightly circumscribed category that captures only work that must be carried out in person and is absolutely necessary to assist those with a genuine and emergent need, such as an immediate lack of shelter. All work must be carried out remotely to the greatest extent possible.
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98455-522631--,00.html
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PREVIOUS UPDATE:
March 16, 2020
COVID-19 is disrupting operations in many industries and real estate is no exception. Things are still fluid right now and subject to change, but currently we are booking appointments until state or federal restrictions prevent us from working. However, it’s not business as usual. To safeguard our clients, homeowners, and our photographers, we’ve made some changes to our policies.
-Photographers WILL NOT BE TOUCHING ANYTHING INSIDE HOMES. While our regular policy states we are not responsible for staging or removing items, in practicality, our photographers will often (with permission) move things like soap dispensers, Kleenex boxes, or trash cans. Anything you or the homeowner doesn’t want visible in images should be removed prior to our arrival. (Please put kitchen soap dispensers in the sink – they won’t be visible and our photographers will be able to wash their hands if necessary.)
-Along those lines, blinds/curtains should be open, lights should be on, toilet seat lids should be down, and doors to rooms to be photographed should be open so our contractors can limit what they touch..
-We STRONGLY recommend following the CDC guidelines for social distancing and kindly suggest that neither agents nor homeowners are present for photography. If you’d like to be texted when the photographer leaves, please request this in the notes section of the booking form.
-Stylish Detroit will not be dispatching photographers to homes where people are self-quarantining due to COVID-19 exposure or possible exposure due to recent travel (domestic or international). Photographers reserve the right to cancel shoots on site if anyone present is exhibiting cold or flu-like symptoms when they arrive.
-Our photographers will be sanitizing their hands and equipment between shoots. We have created a reimbursement program to offset the cost of sanitation supplies to our contractors.
In addition to these policies, we have also decided for the short term to waive fees for coronavirus related cancellations. However, please keep in mind that the majority of our photographers are parents and school has been cancelled. Because of childcare and other considerations, we appreciate having as much notice as possible of cancellations.
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please reach out to us at (313) 799-3686 or email us at mail@stylishdetroit.com.