Island real estate agents ordered to end open houses, most viewings

The P.E.I. Real Estate Association has ordered its agents to stop all open housesand most in-person meetings and showingsuntil the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

Association president Greg Lipton sent a message to Island real estate agentsMonday, telling them showings shouldonly be scheduled at homes with no one living in them.

Lipton says while most realtors were already following that protocol, he is aware of some who have carried on with showingsdespite orders from public health officials to stay home and stay apart.

"We don't want to [see] someone spreading COVID-19just because they felt like they needed to see a house," said Lipton.

"It's really a matter of 'how many risks do you want to take with the virus?'"

Essential servicewith conditions

According to Lipton, real estate agents were just deemed an essential service by the P.E.I. government this week.

He saidwhile that means theyare permitted to continue listing and sellinghomes and finalizing sales already in the works,they still have to respect public health ordersin the process.

"We are an essential service.And that's for people that could end up homeless.They've already sold their home, and they need to buy another home," he said.

"But we still can't allow people to go into occupied homes."

Lipton saidanyone wantingto list their home can take photos, videosand measurements themselves, which their realtor can then post online.

He saidthose insistent onbuying a home they've only viewed virtuallywill be permitted to see it in-person before the sale is finalized.

"There's a condition that you get to see it once all the other conditions are removed and it's time for closing," said Lipton.

'Tough for everyone'

But Lipton, an agent himself, saidwith the exception of clients closing on sales that were initiated before the pandemic, most real estate business has dried up on the Island.

He said with the limitations on house showings, and many Canadians facing financial uncertainty right now,it's no surprise.

"I think that [real estate agents]should be applying for any kind of government relief money, because we don't know how long this is going to last," said Lipton.

"We'll probably end up seeing some of our membership get out of the business," he said. "It's tough for everyone right now."

COVID-19: What you need to know

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Common symptoms include:

• Fever.
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More detailed information on the outbreak is available on thefederal government's website.

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