Real estate agents in California wonder if being classified as ‘essential’ is a good or bad thing. Many have questioned the potential health risks that accompany bringing strangers into other people’s homes. This classification is a correction from not being included on the original ‘essential’ list provided by Governor Gavin Newsome when the original stay at home order was released.
The California Association of Realtors released a statement that this is not a return to normal. Agents must follow guidelines provided by city and county officials with regards to home showings, but this will allow for inspections and appraisals to more easily take place.
As a result of economic anxieties, not to mention sales limitations, local house hunters have balked in recent days. ReportsOnHousing said new escrows in the four-county Southern California region fell 16% in the week ended March 26th.
“The association said this new “essential” designation does not mean back to business as usual. For starters, rules of cities or counties will determine how home sales are conducted at the community level. But still “no open houses should be held” and “showings should be done virtually, if at all possible,” the advisory stated.”