Last Friday, Governor Inslee issued clarification to real estate agents and lenders regarding real estate and mortgage transactions during the corona virus pandemic. Originally, real estate agents were clarified as “non-essential” which caused a bit of an uproar in the real estate industry.

The memorandum (below) states that:

“While real estate activities along with mortgage lending activities have been approved as essential activities under the Proclamation, such activities shall only be permitted under the following restrictions and limitations:

a) In-person meetings with customers are prohibited except when necessary for a customer to view a property or sign necessary documents;

b) No real estate open houses shall be permitted;

c) Property viewings, inspections, appraisals, and final walk-throughs shall be arranged by appointment and limited to no more than two people on site at any one time, exercising social distancing at all times; and

d) Except for limited exceptions authorized above, all new real estate listings shall be facilitated remotely.

To that end, it is permissible to engage in real estate sales, as appraisers, settlement agents and escrow officers, property inspectors, mortgage loan originators, processors and underwriters and…along with those government workers necessary to review real estate excise tax and record documents.”

I have been working from home since this crisis has started. I did cancel a couple of appointments with clients who I were really looking forward to seeing, but during these times, it just doesn’t make sense when everything I do as a mortgage professional can be done either by email or talking on the phone. I do miss seeing my co-workers!

Many of the escrow people we work with are also working remotely and/or are no longer taking appointments. They are using their team of mobile notary publics to perform final signings when they call for original “wet” signatures.

While this is not “business as usual”, we are helping people refinance to lower mortgage rates, shorter terms or pay off debts and we’re helping them finance the purchase of their homes.

I thank Governor Inslee for the added clarification!

Please stay home and stay safe!