Real estate

In-person real estate sales and activities have been prohibited since midMarch, which has caused problems for many home buyers and sellers.

Lejeune said that has been one of the drivers for getting back to work.

“It wasn’t about getting out to make another commission. I have some people with real problems,” he said, including one client that inherited a house she can’t afford, and a rental tenant with roommate problems but couldn’t move. “I’m pumped and excited to go and solve problems.”

While in-person activities were restricted, many real estate professionals were working — whether it was on professional development or virtual sales activities.

Brittingham said her agency sold 160 houses during the past two months.

“The sales were 100% virtual. We had to train our sellers on how to take photos of their houses and how to do video walk-throughs with buyers. The buyer got the best experience they could,” she said.

Benedict said when the orders came to close non-essential businesses, he took office equipment home and set the office up there.

“Anything in process, per the guidelines we followed by the book,” he said. “We did updates, training and continuing education for the agents, so they could sharpen their axes while waiting.”

He added that the property management company let tenants know there would be no late fees while the crisis continued and that they were open to flexible options for payments.

By Friday, May 22, more than two-thirds of the state will be in the yellow phase of the state’s reopening plan — not including Berks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Wolf said evaluations continue on how industries — including real estate — may be able to conduct business appropriately in red phase counties.

“It’s critical that these businesses, regardless of whether they are in red phase or yellow phase counties, strictly adhere to all appropriate guidelines and guidance,” Wolf said Tuesday.

Under the guidelines, every person at a worksite, business or property for sale must wear masks and in-person activities are limited to no more than the real estate professional and two people inside a property at one time.

The guidelines also require that property showings be staggered, Realtors use digital marketing as much as possible and individuals at in-person activities be provided with a verbal health screening.

Additionally, the guidelines recommend the continuation of electronic or remote activities where possible.

Brittingham said her agency got to work immediately on hearing the news. She held a Zoom call with some of her agents Tuesday night, and another one on Wednesday afternoon to give agents the information they need to be ready.

“As of 10 minutes after the announcement, we were open,” Benedict said.

“There’s not much difficulty in getting to work. All of the COVID-19 guidance items were already in discussion for the past several weeks.”

Jacks said her firm has been preparing to get back to work since April 1, with agents procuring masks, gloves and sanitizer they would need. She said there were Zoom calls and training classes multiple times a week to keep everyone in the loop.

“We have been ready to go back in whatever capacity since they shut us down,” she said.

As the industry takes steps to return to normal operations, the agents agree that the steps need to be taken to protect the consumer.

“That means we need to get creative in doing business and stay within guidelines — be forward-thinking and work to the solution not the problem,” Brittingham said.

“We have an opportunity to do something good. Not from a health standpoint — but we but have the opportunity to be problem solvers here, not just run to the next lead,’ Lejeune said. “We need to maintain our status to solve client problems.”