NAR survey affirms concern over spring housing market slowdown

Seventy-two percent of respondents found sellers were not reducing prices in the hopes of attracting buyers.

The majority of homebuyers and sellers are bypassing the spring housing season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest Economic Pulse Flash Survey published by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

In a poll conducted April 5-6 that generated responses from 5,855 NAR members, 59% of respondents said buyers were delaying home purchases for the next few months and 57% reported sellers were delaying the listing of their homes over the same period. As a result of the pandemic, 90% of respondents reported a drop in interest among potential buyers while 80% found a lower number of homes now on the market.

However, while 63% of respondents stated buyers expected a drop in home prices as a result of the current environment, 72% of respondents found sellers were not reducing prices in the hopes of attracting buyers.

Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, predicted a rough spring for housing market but did not foresee long-term problems.

“Home prices will remain stable because of a pandemic-induced reduction in inventory coupled with less immediate concerns over foreclosures,” said Yun.

As for transactions that are currently underway, 34% percent of NAR’s residential members reported no closing delays. As for those encountering delays, the difficulties were mostly associated with financing (31% of respondents), appraisals (25%), home inspections (21%), title searches (17%) and final walk-throughs (17%).

No one knows what the next few weeks and months will look like, but please know that we are, as always, here to help. Please reach out with questions or to talk through your personal situation.

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How to Hire Colorado Artists Put Out of Work by Coronavirus Cancellations

Denver artists and musicians are beginning to panic over how they'll pay the bills if festivals, venues, tours, schools and museums continue to close, cancel or reschedule events because of coronavirus concerns.

"Artists all over the city are wondering what’s going to happen over the next couple months, since a lot of us are living paycheck to paycheck while trying to make art," explains Amber Blais, producing director at Rainbow Militia, a group of circus performers, aerialists and musicians.

Rainbow Militia has several shows coming up and is now weighing whether it would be responsible, from a public health perspective, to move forward with them.

Blais is also involved in Dark Palace, a three-day electronic music festival scheduled for April 9 to 11 that AEG and Meow Wolf are promoting; she has concerns that the event might be canceled (along with SXSW, Coachella, Ultra Miami, Treefort Music Festival and many more that have been shut down or rescheduled over the past few days).

"Right now, you’re not guaranteed any money until you actually perform," Blais explains. "If the event is canceled, you don’t make your money as an artist. It’s a little scary, because you’re counting on that money coming in."

On March 11, Blais found herself talking to David Moke — a curator at the experimental gallery Understudy, alongside Annie Geimer and Thadeaous Mighell — about the anxiety artists are experiencing over whether they can make rent.

Moke has been comparing how the current situation impacting artists and others in the gig economy relates to how the government shutdown affected federal employees who were working without salaries, hoping to receive back pay one day.

For performers, even as events are rescheduled, there's no guarantee that more artists will be added to already loaded lineups. That means no extra work, so whatever losses they incur over the next few weeks are likely to be permanent.

"All the performers — they’re not going to get back pay one day," says Moke. "There are only so many Saturdays in a year. There are only so many nights."

A friend of Moke's in the Bay Area created a database where workers in the gig economy can share their skills with those looking to hire people for services. He shared the idea with Blais, who built a database tailored to Denver's arts community within hours of their conversation.

Through that database, artists list the skills that they have, from IT and communications work to babysitting and accounting.

People looking to hire in those areas can use the database to get whatever services they need, helping to sustain the city's creative community through trying times.

To be listed, Denver artists fill out an online form; the data from that is released on a Google spreadsheet.

Less than a day after the database went live, dozens of artists are listed, offering skills ranging from event planning to editing, social media management, coding, web design, house remodeling, video editing and production, and more."

Hopefully, it’s an inspirational thing in this time of uncertainty that people can use to help each other out," says Moke. 

Thank you to Westword for this information!

UCHealth Offering Virtual Urgent Care, Online Coronavirus Guide

Courtesy of UCHealth:

Unfortunately, the new coronavirus is spreading throughout Colorado and worries about the outbreak are increasing. What should you do if you have symptoms like a fever, cough or shortness of breath?

For those who have general questions about coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, or want information about testing, the best place to get help is through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

People can call 303.389.1687 or 1.877.462.2911 for answers in many languages. Or, for those seeking answers in English, you can email COHELP@RMPDC.org.

For patients in Colorado who want to see a medical provider from the privacy of home, an online visit through UCHealth’s Virtual Urgent Care can be one of the easiest, safest ways to get help.

“COVID-19 is quite infectious, so if you can stay home and get medical advice, that gives you two advantages. First, if you’re sick, you’re not going to be bringing your illness into a doctor’s office or a hospital. Second, you won’t be exposed to other patients,” said Dr. Chris Davis, an expert in emergency medicine and infectious diseases, and Medical Director for UCHealth’s Virtual Urgent Care.

“If you’re worried and you have any risk factors, you can see a provider. If you need a test, then we can tell you what to do and the closest place to get tested,” Davis said.

Patients who are in Colorado can see a provider through the Virtual Urgent Care related to coronavirus symptoms or other medical concerns including, the flu, colds, seasonal allergies, coughs, pink eye, sinus infections, sore throats, urinary tract infections and vomiting or diarrhea.

As long as patients have a smart phone or a computer with video and audio capabilities, they can see a provider through a secure, private online visit.

Medical providers at UCHealth’s Virtual Urgent Care are trained to help people in Colorado figure out if they need additional help or testing for symptoms of coronavirus. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon for UCHealth.

Patients using Virtual Urgent Care do not need to be a current UCHealth patient and don’t need insurance. Anyone in Colorado, including visitors to the state, can use the service. Insurance typically covers the visit, but for those who don’t have insurance, there’s a $49 flat fee.

New UCHealth visitor policy

UCHealth’s first priority is the safety of patients, visitors and staff. Visitor restrictions provide an additional layer of protection for everyone.

Effective March 8, 2020:

• Visitors with cold or flu symptoms are prohibited from visiting all areas of UCHealth hospitals.

• No more than two visitors in a 24-hour period are allowed to visit a patient.

• Anyone under 12 years of age is prohibited from visiting all areas of UCHealth hospitals.

• Only one visitor at a time will be allowed in the rooms of patients with either suspected or confirmed COVID-19. This includes patients whose test results are pending. Infection prevention teams will also track any visitors to patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.There may be extenuating circumstances that require flexibility with the policy and UCHealth’s infection prevention team will provide guidance in these specific situations.

• For more information about COVID-19, please visit CDPHE or the CDC website.

• UCHealth encourages patients who have fever, cold or flu symptoms to wear a mask.

All Virtual Urgent Care providers are trained now on how to help patients determine if they are at risk for COVID-19.

“We’re looking for symptoms and also for a travel history. Have you recently been to the five countries where the outbreaks are the worst: China, Italy, Iran, South Korea or Japan? Or, have you been to California, Washington State, Florida New York, places that have ongoing cases of community transmission?” Davis said.

Many patients won’t need additional care beyond their online visit, Davis said. But for those who do need to be tested for COVID-19 or to go to an ER for immediate follow-up care, the fee for the Virtual Urgent Care appointment will be waived.

Davis said it’s reassuring for patients to get same-day appointments with Colorado health experts.

“This is a pretty fast-moving situation. It’s nice to have a dedicated group of providers who are keeping track of this coronavirus outbreak on a daily basis,” Davis said.

There’s no referral necessary. Anyone in Colorado can create an account through My Health Connection and request an appointment online for a Virtual Urgent Care appointment.

“What makes this so great and convenient is the setting. When you’re dealing with a pandemic, you can get your questions answered without having to leave your home,” Davis said. “If you’re worried about being exposed or exposing others, this is a great option.”

Learn more:

• Coronavirus anxiety: Why the outbreak feeds worries and five simple ways to reduce coronavirus anxiety

• Older adults advised to ‘stay home as much as possible’ during coronavirus outbreak

• Your travel plans and coronavirus: What should you do?

• Pregnancy and coronavirus: Experts advise pregnant women to take precautions

• What you should know about coronavirus or COVID-19 in Colorado

• Staying safe from COVID-19 in the U.S.: Wash hands and skip masks; Chinese food, markets are safe

• Increased screening aims to prevent coronavirus outbreaks in the U.S.

• Updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention