Montana issued an order yesterday about staying at home. Real estate agents here are considered essential. My own feeling is that, unless there is an urgent need by a seller or buyer to sell NOW, we shouldn't be out there at the moment meeting with people. 

For anyone with a brain, it should be pretty clear that virtually all real estate is NON-ESSENTIAL regardless of what your state or MLS says. Property Management is.

IMO opinion, only people that are homeless or in a similar state of not having stable/safe living conditions would qualify for it to be essential. You should be able to use your judgment there.  And, figure out ways to do this from home (as people here are doing).

That is how people are treating it like that here in NY.  Even today, they closed another loophole because construction was classified as "Essential." Most contractors, after seeing what's going on, closed/stopped their businesses, but some in luxury building construction did not. Now, that is  deemed NON-ESSENTIAL.

We in NY reacted too slow.  Those that have not been hit yet like we have should take heed.  California was smarter than NY.

Just wait and see how things look here in 3 weeks.  It will probably be similar to Italy.  And, most likely, most of rest of country is just 3-5 weeks behind, pending on where you live, behind us....unless you take this seriously and take action.

Stay at home.  Do business from home.  If you care about your neighbors and your family, stay at home.

In MA our Governor has declared we are not essential but we think he isn't either...lol

We are ALL essential to do our part to support the efforts to keep the population safe from this horrible virus, aren't we? 

The Governor has spoken.  I wonder who is truly listening.  

Yes, I am Very Essential!

And I suspect that you may more essential than you think Paul.

Dont' care what the MLS says, our governor says & that's who counts.

Paul, the only thing I have learned through this is that our MLS Board is ESSENTIAL as they are sticking to their deadline collecting their MLS fees due on March 31st.   

(No extensions like our federal and state government of taxes and quarterly payments due till summer.)         ^_~

You are essential to us, your friends, Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS 

As ours has no gumption, NO!

But the Governor sure made his feelings known about it.

Our Governor sets those rules around Denver, and we are essential.  HOWEVER, it is NOT business as usual.  I have transactions that are basically finished, just awaiting closing.  Unless it is an emergency, I won't be working with a buyer or seller until the stay at home order has been lifted.

Oh yes... we got that word sent down on Tuesday of this week... not essential.

We have not got anything here in NH. The good thing is tow of teh banks i list, manage and sell their REO homes did send me "essential" letters to keep on working REO. The good part, i do not have to interact with any people. 

Rental management because folks have to live somewhere virus or not. The owner of the small corner store that people depend on that we have for sale. Keeping it open and going is essential. Like finding a buyer. The money a seller gets from the land listing sale you and I get to the closing spends that profit in our local economy. Keeps people working even if behind the scenes. How we do the list and sell without getting or spreading virus is vital. Personally, keeping others employed is a big part of supporting our local economy. Like Bob Crane , I think you are essential Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS .

It is not up to my MLS to explain if we are essential in the real estate business. The Governor decides that. 

Our Board SDAR, our state CAR and NAR are all working on it for CA & USA.

Not yet though.

There is a classic "Twilight Zone" where they accuse each other of being obsolete. Are we now there? Rod Serling was indeed ahead of his time

In CT we are "essential".

It was explained WE ARE ESSENTIAL then all Open House functions on MLS was disabled. I suspect they are about to pull the plug on ShowTime.  How are we supposed to conduct our essential services?  

Like all things real estate, someone will tell us what we want to hear.

Unless there is extreme circumstances. agents should be role models and not engage in defiant activity.

This is our 8th day of being non 

No, but NVAR has. Proceed with caution.

Not yet to the best of my knowledge,  the Mls office has long closed.  Go figure 

It's quite humling, isn't it, Paul?! 

According to our County Manager, I'm not either...

Non-essential in Maryland.

The state did a week or so ago and is allegedly fighting to make us essential.

Our Governor declared me non-essential last Friday.  I beg to differ...  ;)

I'm happy to share though that closings ARE happening.  Pending business is finding work-arounds & new business will wait.    

I always thought I was essential but finding out I am Non-Essential.  I was able to ratify a contract today without leaving my house.

not up the mls to make that determination.

MLS doesn't make than calling in AZ.  Only the Govenor.

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS what does your gut say?  That is what I follow, we would not need the MLS or the Governor for that matter.  Lucky for us, we can still work on projects via the phone...A

California states that real estate is not included as an essential service. They might find this to be a mistake if there is an uptick in foreclosures towards the end of the year.  The California Association of Realtors is fighting for us to get this changed.