What Real Estate as an "Essential Service" Means

Clarification on what it means that ‘real estate’ is categorized as an essential professional service, as well as recommendations for our REALTOR® and Industry Partner members.

March 24, 2020

Dear DMAR Members,

As a follow up to yesterday’s announcement of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s stay-at-home order for the City and County of Denver, which will go into effect today, March 24th at 5:00 PM, I wanted to provide more information on what it means that ‘real estate’ is categorized as an essential professional service, as well as provide recommendations for our REALTOR® and Industry Partner members.

First, above all, the health and safety of our members and the greater community is our number one priority. It is so important that we collectively do our part to follow the guidance of the CDC, NAR and local and state government to safely and responsibly conduct business on behalf of homebuyers and sellers in need, which include strict social distancing practices.

Real estate as an essential service means our REALTOR® members and Industry Partners can continue offering services to clients as long as they comply with social distancing requirements mandated by the City and County of Denver. REALTORS® offer a very important service to the public and while we navigate this situation together, we have a duty now more than ever, to protect the health and safety of the general public while we continue to conduct business. If you have specific questions pertaining to a real estate transaction or business practice, please speak with your managing broker.

As shared in our letter sent to members on March 20th, DMAR is still recommending that brokers consider suspending any open houses for at least the next 14 days in order to protect the health and safety of homeowners, clients and the public, and instead utilize technology such as 3D interactive property scans, video tours and other methods to virtually tour. We also recommend that our members refrain from touring properties with clients, driving in cars with clients or having in-person meetings. Again, there are great virtual options we can all utilize including Zoom Meetings and FaceTime.

DMAR has created an excellent portal on its website for members to stay up-to-date on the Colorado coronavirus outbreak. We have been updating this page daily with information from Governor Jared Polis as well as market implications and advice for REALTORS®, homebuyers, home sellers and your clients. We also have a list of FAQs, which you can view here.

If you are looking for additional information and guidelines, please refer to this list of resources below:

We will continue to update you on a regular cadence as new and pertinent information arises stemming from the issue ordered by Mayor Hancock. In the meantime, please take all necessary measures to keep yourself, family and community safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Euan Graham,
DMAR’s Chairman of the Board