Are Real Estate Agent Activities Essential Services?
We are part of the big three immediate basic needs: Food, Shelter & Clothing. However, in California (and anywhere else in the USA a state's mandatory "shelter in place" order exists). it's important to know the California law does not, so likely your state doesn't either. Mitigate COVID-19 now for the 2.5 weeks we were ordered to and help us return to health and work sooner, otherwise we're looking at longer shelter in place downtimes. Please read her follow up post too:
CAR Attorney: RE Agent Activities Not Essential Services
Does anyone know if real estate agent activities representing sellers and buyers are considered "essential services" legally in view of the COVID-19 social distancing and "shelter in place" orders?
FYI, I sent this question in to our trusted California Association of REALTORS Legal Hotline just a few minutes ago, and will share the answer I receive from the attorneys.
Whether it's showing houses to buyers, holding open houses, meeting with current and potential sellers, buyers, investors and landlords, as well as vendors such as pest control, roof and home inspectors, it would be helpful to know we are acting in compliance with the law.
Housing and shelter are definitely important needs. How can anyone "shelter in place" if they currently have no shelter? We know selling a house and buying a home are stressful activities already. Now complicating the government mandating no social gatherings to slow this pandemic, we see the closing of our broker's office except for absolutely essential in-person meetings and the temporary closing of our Santa Clara County Recorders Office.
All accurate and credible information from knowledgeable sources welcome.
Thanks for reading "Are Real Estate Agent Activities Essential Services?"
UPDATES since 3/17/20
The Local MLSListings suspended the accrual of all DOM (Days On Market) Through April 7, the current expiration date of Silicon Valley's "Shelter in Place" order. It also cancelled all scheduled and future agent tyours and open houses.
Local MLSListings Cancels Open Houses, Agent Tours
Read what CAR attorney's interpretation of California's "shelter in place" order here at
CAR Attorney: RE Agent Activities Not Essential Services
Please go to http://www.carcovidupdates.org for breaking news updates affecting REALTORS, including mandate for agents to cease engaging in face-to-face meetings, and the appeal to Congress for forgiveable SBA loans to REALTORS to help tide agents over during the "shelter in place" mandate.
Readers have alerted me that unlike California, some states, such as Illinois have determined that real estate agent acitivites are "essential services"; I'm curious to know how other states are handling this.
Aloha & God Bless You,
Michelle C. Carr-Crowe and the Get Results Team . Real Estate Agent . Author . Coach . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985
P: Just Call ... 408-252-8900
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E: GetResultsTeam@gmail.comAltas Realty . DRE#01526983
1190 S. Bascom, Suite #118, San Jose, CA 95128
www.MichelleJudyCarr.comMichelle C. Carr-Crowe and the Get Results Team (established by the late legendary Silicon Valley super agent Judy Carr) are known as the "Lynbrook and Cupertino Schools Experts." Coaching clients to success is Michelle's passion, making her and her team creative catalysts for positive change in people's lives. She is a Silicon Valley-based multi-million dollar real estate consultant, author, coach and trainer who works by referral only.
Her designations have included: Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Accredited Consultant of Real Estate (ACRE), Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS), Accredited Staging Professional (ASP), Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Property Marketing Expert (PME), Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist (RECS), and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES).
Michelle is an internationally-published freelance writer with over 1,200 traditional articles in print and online, co-author of two books on Silicon Valley-specific real estate as well as over 68,000 blog posts on Blogger, ActiveRain, Examiner, FaceBook, Realtor, Trulia, RealBird and others. She enjoys reading, traveling, animals, nature, family, dancing, staging, consulting, coaching and praying. Check out her blog at www.activerain.com/results or visit her online at www.michellejudycarr.com. For RE$ult$ ... Just Call ... (408) 252-8900.
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