Dear Readers,
This is the time of year I’d normally be hopping on a plane and attending an industry conference to network with many of you, resulting in good story material for months to come.
But like everyone else during this pandemic, I’ve had to adjust my personal as well as my professional life.
Instead of attending a packed high school graduation for my son next week at a fancy downtown city venue as planned, commencement – after a series of postponements and canceled plans – now will consist of just six students at a time at our rival high school. Each student and up to six guests will be quickly ushered inside wearing mandatory masks amid heavy police presence. They have 15 minutes to hear their name, grab their diplomas, pose for a quick (unmasked, I hope) photo and get out before the next half-dozen students arrive.
Although it isn’t the commencement anyone imagined, I’m thankful the school came up with a creative solution to keep people safe while allowing the Class of COVID-19 (copyright Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump in a recent Saturday Night Live sketch) to dress up and wear their caps and gowns.
This spring is unprecedented in many ways, but the real estate and mortgage industries continue to come up with innovative ways to survive and even thrive. Instead of sitting in a crowded conference session, I’ll be watching speakers in June from my computer at my home office. But as technology helps us all do our jobs as efficiently as possible, the message that RESPA compliance is more important than ever will remain the same.
I look forward to continuing to provide the stories you need to help you in your business during this public health crisis and beyond.
Sincerely,
Tracey Read
Editor, RESPA News