Pennsylvania real estate agencies face challenges amid COVID-19 mandates

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- In the tri-state area, Pennsylvania is the only state that considers real estate agents non-essential[/url] and some realtors say they don't understand why.[br /][br /]Real estate agents like Tom Toole with Re/Max says, they've applied for work waivers from the state but have been denied.[br /][Ads /][br /]"It's not like we are asking for anything unreasonable here, and there is a really safe way to do this," said Toole.[br /][br /]Toole says while he can do some work virtually, it still doesn't solve all of his problems and frustrations of being consider non-essential.[br /][br /]"We have absolutely pivoted and embraced technology. The challenges are that you have a vacant house and we can't go to the property, and some of those people are the ones that really need to sell because they have a double mortgage payment," said Toole. "They have already moved and there is a lot of financial stress here."[br /][br /]COVID-19 is forcing agents and homeowners to adapt to this new normal. In Pennsylvania, realtors must do most of their work online. That means virtual showings and open houses all done via computer.[br /][br /]"Some people aren't going to buy a home if they can't see it in person, it's just the facts," said Toole.[br /][Ads /][br /]Marleise Resick, a resident of the Graduate Hospital section of Philadelphia, put her home up for sale right before the pandemic. She says trying to sell online has been a positive experience.[br /][br /]"There are a few people who have put offers down on houses," said Resick. "So maybe we will get lucky and someone will just like the house from what they have seen virtually, or online and decide that they are just going to take a chance."[br /][br /]Realtors admit it's a challenge and they are hoping restrictions are eased soon but until then, they have to reinvent themselves and adapt.[br /][br /]Despite the challenges, some say homes are still selling.[br /][br /]Eleni Latsios, of the Daly Group, said, "We had a property on the market for less than a week and we actually did a virtual showing and they loved the property so much that we ended up going under contract with it."[br /][br /]The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development says, "For real estate operations for counties in the red phase of the state's reopening plan, in-person activities such as inspections, appraisals, final walk-throughs, and in-person Title Insurance activities are permitted for only those residential real estate transactions which were in process prior to the Disaster Declaration (issued on March 18, 2020) or for transactions where the buyer can show that that they had sold their residence or given notice to their landlord prior to the Disaster Declaration.[br /][br /]Real estate transactions outside of those authorized activities are not permitted. More information on the limited circumstances as authorized in guidance issued by the Department of State can be found [url HREF="https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/RealEstateCommission/Documents/Special%20Notices/Limited%20Guidance%20for%20Appraisers,%20Notaries,%20Title%20Companies,%20and%20Home%20Inspectors.pdf" TARGET="_blank" REL="no follow"]here.[/url][br /]Per the governor's business guidance [url HREF="https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-provides-business-guidance-as-counties-move-to-yellow-phase-on-may-8/" TARGET="_blank" REL="no follow"]announcement,[/url] in counties that have been designated as in the yellow phase, all businesses, except those categories specifically excluded in the governor's [url HREF="https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/" TARGET="_blank" REL="no follow"]Plan to Reopen Pennsylvania[/url] and the governor's and Secretary of Health's orders, are permitted to conduct in-person operations, so long as they strictly adhere to the requirements in [url HREF="https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/20200504-COVID-19-Business-Guidance.pdf" TARGET="_blank" REL="no follow"]this guidance.[/url]