Update on Shelter-in-Place Order and Real Estate in SF

San Francisco’s new Shelter in Place Order of April 29, 2020 will come into effect at 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2020 and provides the following restrictions and guidelines for REALTORS®:  1. The order extends the shelter in place restrictions to May 31, 2020. 2. The order defines real estate agents as “essential businesses”, but places the following restrictions on real estate activity:  a) Appointments and other residential viewings must only occur virtually; b) Or, if a virtual viewing is not feasible, by appointment with no more than two visitors at a time residing within the same household or living unit and one individual showing the property; and c) In-person visits are not allowed if the unit’s occupant is present at the property.   The new Shelter in Place Order continues to mandate that all essential businesses prepare and distribute a “Social Distancing Protocol”. The guidelines for the Social Distancing Protocol can be found in Appendix A of the Shelter in Place Order.   Also, the new Shelter in Place Order allows moving services for residential units. ----   The City and County of San Francisco's newly released Frequently Asked Questions for San Francisco Health Orders provides additional guidance regarding REALTOR® activities in San Francisco (see page 25):    “Are the following people permitted to operate under the Order as service providers that enable residential transactions:     Real estate inspectors and appraisers?  Yes, inspectors and appraisers are necessary to enable residential real estate transactions to occur.     Real estate photographers?  Yes, real estate photographers are necessary to enable virtual viewings and marketing to occur.     Real estate stagers?  No, stagers are not necessary to enable residential real estate transactions.” ---- For condos or residential units that belong to an HOA, please refer to your HOA rules and regulations for guidance and further restrictions.