Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions MD Real Estate

MD Government Order FAQs

On June 10, Governor Hogan furthered eased the March 30 “Stay-at-Home” order under the phased “Maryland
Strong: Roadmap to Recovery.” Given the improvement in Maryland’s positivity rate for COVID-19 and the
retraction of the order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people, the previous guidance on real estate
the practice has been changed to replace the 3-person limitation on real estate showings with guidance
recommending the use of face masks, physical distancing, and compliance with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
The Governor’s Orders, which incorporate federal guidance classifying residential and commercial real estate
services as “essential,” emphasize the overriding importance of reducing community transmission of the virus
while strategically activating the “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery.” The real estate brokerage industry
shares the Governor’s priorities. Our paramount concern remains the public’s safety and the prevention of the
spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The following guidelines outline procedures that will allow us to continue doing business in a way that is mindful
of the unique risks we are all facing. It is our responsibility to follow these guidelines to protect our clients and
ourselves.
Accordingly, real estate licensees will limit personal interactions, including open houses, to the greatest extent
possible, engage in-person only when necessary, and follow these strict protocols:
• Except for open houses, in-person activities should be by appointment only.
• Every reasonable effort should be made to limit the number of people who will be at the property at any
one time.
• All persons present must strictly follow physical distancing guidelines established by the CDC by
remaining at least six feet apart at all times.
• All persons present must follow the CDC’s recommendation to wear cloth face coverings in public
settings, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Real estate licensees who strictly follow the above protocols are permitted to engage in the following in-person
activities related to the purchase and sale of homes:
• Conduct listing presentations, take property photos and create virtual tours for new listings
• Facilitate the signing of contract documents
• Preview and show listings by appointment only
• Facilitate photography/videography, inspections, appraisals, the buyer “walk-throughs,” and key delivery
Although remote activity is recommended, if a seller requests an open house, it is not prohibited by law. Open
house activities should follow the in-person guidelines above and CDC guidelines on social distancing and
wearing cloth face coverings.
Other real estate brokerage services will be limited to services we can provide remotely. There are risks
associated with leaving the safety of your home and viewing homes for sale, and having prospective buyers
enter the seller’s home. Buyers and sellers must be attentive to and abide by the mandates and guidelines from
public health officials and work with their real estate agents to make informed decisions about listing, selling, and
purchasing real property. REALTORS® will exercise their best judgment under the circumstances to provide
advice regarding all aspects of the current real estate market.
As always, consult with your broker to ensure your practices are consistent with company policy.
Updated information about COVID-19 is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the
Maryland Department of Health’s COVID-19 Information Portal. If you have specific questions about health
concerns related to COVID-19, you should consult with a health professional.
Maryland REALTORS® will continue to provide updates on our website and through social media as we get new
information.

Best Practices for Compliance with Governor Hogan’s Stay-at-Home Order

As REALTORS®, we have the honor of serving people who want to buy and sell homes. We care about our
clients, our communities, and our colleagues. Nothing in recent memory has brought this into sharper focus
than the COVID-19 pandemic.
As discussed below, providing real estate services has been deemed essential in Maryland, permitting
brokerages to conduct business during this time. With that right comes the responsibility of doing so in a safe
manner.
Governor Hogan issued a statewide “Stay at Home Order” (the “Order”) that became effective at 8 pm, Monday,
March 30, to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus that requires the closure of all “non-essential businesses.”
Except for staff and owners maintaining minimal operations, all workers that are considered non-essential must
work only remotely.
Governor Hogan’s Order incorporates federal guidance, which includes residential and commercial real estate
services as “essential,” an acknowledgment of the vital nature of providing housing to the public. The Governor’s
Order also emphasizes the overriding importance of protecting public health through staying home and physical
distancing. The real estate brokerage industry shares the Governor’s priorities. Our paramount concern is the
safety of the public and the prevention of the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The following guidelines outline procedures that will allow us to continue to do business in a way that is mindful
of the unique risks we are all facing. It is our responsibility to follow these guidelines so that we and our and
clients are protected. If we cannot adopt these safe practices, the industry may face additional restrictions or
even a complete prohibition on providing real estate services.
Accordingly, real estate licensees will limit personal interactions to the greatest extent possible and will engage
in-person only when necessary, and follow these strict protocols:
• In-person activities must be by appointment only.
• No more than three (3) people, including the agent, maybe at a property at any one time.
• Those three persons must strictly follow physical distancing guidelines established by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) by remaining at least six feet apart at all times.
Real estate licensees who strictly follow the above protocols are permitted to engage in the following in-person
activities related to the purchase and sale of homes:
• Conduct listing presentations, take property photos and create virtual tours for new listings.
• Facilitate the signing of contract documents.
• Preview and show listings by appointment only.
• Facilitate photography/videography, inspections, appraisals, buyer “walk-throughs,” and key delivery.
All other real estate brokerage services will be limited to services we can provide remotely. There are risks
associated with leaving the safety of your home and viewing homes for sale, as well as having prospective
buyers enter the seller’s home. Buyers and sellers must be attentive to and abide by the mandates and
guidelines from public health officials and work with their real estate agents to make informed decisions about
listing, selling, and purchasing real property. REALTORS® will exercise their best judgment under the
circumstances to provide advice regarding all aspects of the current real estate market.
Updated information about COVID-19 is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
from the Maryland Department of Health’s COVID-19 Information Portal. If you have specific questions about
health concerns related to COVID-19, you should consult with a health professional.
Maryland REALTORS® will continue to provide updates on our website and through social media as we get new
information.