Governor’s Essential List Now Includes Real Estate

March 27, 2020 

Following an appeal by NHAR, “Real Estate Transactions” has been added to the list of essential services in the Governor’s stay-at-home order. The real estate provision reads as follows:

Real Estate Transactions/Agents/Brokers

• Meetings between brokers/agents and clients (or prospective clients) cannot take place at a real estate brokerages’ physical offices but may take place with social distancing or remotely by phone, video or other electronic means.
• Showings of homes or other properties may take place by appointment and with appropriate social distancing measures.
• Real estate closings can continue, either through remote means or with social distancing for any in-person transactions.
• Property inspections and appraisals may continue with appropriate social distancing.
• Open houses are not permitted.

The revised “essential services” explanation and list can be found here, and is attached.