April 30, 2020
Dear Members,
Yesterday Mayor London Breed's Office published a Frequently Asked Questions for San Francisco Health Orders. Here is an excerpt which addresses the question about whether real estate agents are allowed to show properties in person:
Can real estate agents show residences or commercial properties in person?
Generally, no. Real estate agents, escrow agents, and other service providers that facilitate real estate transactions like home sales, apartment rentals, and (beginning on May 4, commercial properties) are essential workers, but all appointments and viewings must happen virtually (via video or livestream). If a virtual viewing is not possible, then a single photographer or videographer is permitted to visit the property once to take photographs and/or video. This should be done at a time when the occupant is not present in the residence. If these options are not possible, then in-person showings can occur by appointment with no more than two visitors at a time from the same household, and only one agent showing the property. In-person showings or walk-throughs are not allowed when the occupant is present in the residence. Commercial viewings (which can commence on May 4), should be limited to the minimum number of persons possible.
Generally, no. Real estate agents, escrow agents, and other service providers that facilitate real estate transactions like home sales, apartment rentals, and (beginning on May 4, commercial properties) are essential workers, but all appointments and viewings must happen virtually (via video or livestream). If a virtual viewing is not possible, then a single photographer or videographer is permitted to visit the property once to take photographs and/or video. This should be done at a time when the occupant is not present in the residence. If these options are not possible, then in-person showings can occur by appointment with no more than two visitors at a time from the same household, and only one agent showing the property. In-person showings or walk-throughs are not allowed when the occupant is present in the residence. Commercial viewings (which can commence on May 4), should be limited to the minimum number of persons possible.
We have heard from so many of you about how you have completed transactions in the past few weeks in creative, virtual ways which did not compromise the health and safety of you and your clients. Please, continue to do this. Let's ensure our industry remains known for our responsibility and care for our community.
Below are details regarding San Francisco’s latest Shelter in Place Order and how it impacts our industry. As always, our Association’s first priority is the safety of our members, clients, and community.
Thank you,
Marc Dickow, President
Walt Baczkowski, CEO
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San Francisco’s new Shelter in Place Order of April 29, 2020 will come into effect at 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2020 and provides the following restrictions and guidelines for REALTORS®:
1. The order extends the shelter in place restrictions to May 31, 2020.
2. The order defines real estate agents as “essential businesses”, but places the following restrictions on real estate activity:
a) Appointments and other residential viewings must only occur virtually;
b) Or, if a virtual viewing is not feasible, by appointment with no more than two visitors at a time residing within the same household or living unit and one individual showing the property; and
c) In-person visits are not allowed if the unit’s occupant is present at the property.
The new Shelter in Place Order continues to mandate that all essential businesses prepare and distribute a “Social Distancing Protocol”. The guidelines for the Social Distancing Protocol can be found in Appendix A of the Shelter in Place Order.
Also, the new Shelter in Place Order allows moving services for residential units.
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The City and County of San Francisco's newly released Frequently Asked Questions for San Francisco Health Orders provides additional guidance regarding REALTOR® activities in San Francisco (see page 25):
“Are the following people permitted to operate under the Order as service providers that enable residential transactions:
Real estate inspectors and appraisers?
Yes, inspectors and appraisers are necessary to enable residential real estate transactions to occur.
Real estate photographers?
Real estate photographers?
Yes, real estate photographers are necessary to enable virtual viewings and marketing to occur.
Real estate stagers?
Real estate stagers?
No, stagers are not necessary to enable residential real estate transactions.”
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For condos or residential units that belong to an HOA, please refer to your HOA rules and regulations for guidance and further restrictions.
