Important Update Regarding Real Estate Activities During the COVID-19 State of Emergency

As of 8:00 pm tonight, March 22, an Executive Order (EO) by Governor Andrew Cuomo effectively restricts real estate licensees from working outside of their homes.  Real estate brokerage and many other businesses were not designated as essential by the Governor in the EO.

The EO means that until further notice real estate licensees are precluded from holding open houses, showings and in-person listing presentations for example.  You are not precluded from most work that you can accomplish from your home.

One typical activity for licensees that you cannot do, even from home, is cold calling when a state of emergency is in effect such as it is now.  Specifically, brokerages and their associated licensees are prohibited from making unsolicited telephone calls to consumers during the current State of Emergency until at least September 7, 2020Any brokerage or licensee making such calls should immediately cease all such activity.

The EO is unclear about activities related to real estate closings scheduled for March 23 and until further notice. 

In a recent email sent to all New York REALTORS®, NYSAR stated the following:  “We believe that if closings are deemed essential and able to proceed, licensees should not attend closings unless their presence is essential to the successful completion of the transaction.  One of the matters for which we are seeking clarification is a licensees ability to participate in a final walk through and any restrictions that might apply if the walk throughs are allowed.”  

We will continue to keep you updated as information becomes available.  Stay safe and stay positive.