At MacGregor Abstract, our staff members are experienced, seasoned, and knowledgeable, and we make it our business to remain up-to-date on the latest changes within the industry, including updates involving changes due to the current circumstances. We continue to pride ourselves in our ability to adapt quickly to problems and embrace our instinct to find unique solutions to tricky questions.
This week, the Empire State Development Agency (ESD) has deemed specific real estate brokerage activities as essential. Limited operations may resume in compliance with “New York State On Pause.” The ESD clarified that residential and commercial showings, back office real estate work, appraisal services, and home inspections are essential real estate functions effective immediately.
The official notice reads as follows:
Essential Businesses must continue to comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by the Department of Health and every business, even if essential, is strongly urged to maintain social distance to the extent possible.
However, an additional statement has been released to clarify that while real estate brokerage has been deemed essential, only virtual viewings are acceptable and social distancing must still be applied if any in-person meetings occur.
“Being an ‘essential’ industry does not mean business as usual — business can only be conducted if social distancing and other public health protocols are followed and all must be doing everything they can to help stop the spread,” Matthew Gorton of Empire State Development said in a statement. “For real estate, that means brokers can only transact business in their offices or show properties virtually, and anything else is off limits.” Read more about virtual showing guidance here.
According to the New York Association of Realtors, this designation is a recognition by the state that real estate licensees, real estate home inspectors and real estate appraisers provide a critical service to New York, which is vital to the wellbeing not only of New Yorkers but also for New York’s local and state economy. However, as you prepare to conduct those services for your clients that have been deemed essential, NYSAR reminds all its members that they must fully comply with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “New York State on PAUSE” directive, which says that “essential businesses must continue to comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by the Department of Health and every business, even if essential, is strongly urged to maintain social distance to the extent possible.” Read the full statement here.
As a premier Long Island title insurance company, MacGregor Abstract is committed to lending our 30+ years of experience to our clients who look to us for guidance in the New York title insurance industry. We would like to again emphasize that we will remain open in order to support our clients, we will continue to provide the essential functions of closing and insuring transactions as well as providing expert level advice. Now more than ever we are available to help; challenges are always welcome.