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Governor Wolf just shut down all "non-life sustaining" businesses in PA.

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friendlyeddie said:
List is here:

As I work from my home office, currently debating if this shuts us down or not, though I have several inspected just waiting to get typed up. Got an order right moments after this was announced. Any input, comments appreciated. The wording which I suppose does/could apply is "activities related to real estate"
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Call the BPOA in the morning.

Number on their website.

www.dos.pa.gov

Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs

www.dos.pa.gov www.dos.pa.gov

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andrew81 said:
credit intermediation and related activities are allowed
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better hope you are right, because with this order from the Governor, your license to operate hangs on the line along with fines and possible jail time.


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friendlyeddie said:
BPOA is unable to accept phone calls, will email them tonight. Hope to receive a response by Thanksgiving
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Appraisals are not "Life sustaining".

Let us know if they email you back. They used to be very good at that. Otherwise, you could check with your local state police, because they are the "enforcers" and they should know if they will "enforce" upon you, if they see you out there measuring a house that isn't yours.


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I just got an email from PAR. Finally, just before I am about to end my subscription with them, they actually do something useful for me. I will copy and paste the letter here:

On Thursday, March 19, Gov. Wolf issued an order that all "non-life sustaining businesses" in the state must shut down to slow the spread of COVID-19. Per that guidance, all real estate sales and leasing businesses have been ordered to close their physical locations until further notice, although the order "does not apply to virtual or telework operations (e.g., work from home), so long as social distancing and other mitigation measures are followed in such operations."



As we understand the governor's order, then, real estate brokers and agents can continue to conduct whatever activities they can remotely, but should not be in an office and should likely avoid going to client homes to conduct business. Keep in mind as well that most other real estate-related activities are under similar orders, so almost all third-party providers (lenders, appraisers, inspectors, contractors) will be affected in the same way.



We understand this is unexpected, upsetting and confusing. PAR contacted state legislators and the Governor's office as soon as we learned of his announcement for further clarifications and will provide additional information as it becomes available.



Given the substantial problems this order will create with ongoing transactions, PAR is releasing a brand new COVID-19 addendum to the agreement of sale (Form COVID) so parties can agree to postpone contractual deadlines while the impacts of this situation can be assessed.


We have more information about the new Form COVID, an updated Change in Terms Addendum (Form CTA) and a new Wire Fraud Notice (Form WFN) in a special post online.



The situation is very fluid. And PAR is working to secure answers to transaction-related questions. But as we've seen over the last few days, the answers change by the hour. The best way to stay up to date is to visit our COVID-19 landing page at PARealtors.org/coronavirus with FAQs including:

We encourage you to use your best judgment and adopt internal company rules that limit risk and exposure during this time.


Please let us know if you have any questions and stay safe.

It sounds to me as if I can complete the two inspections scheduled for next week; one a purchase that is vacant, the other I need to meet with a realtor. Neither appears to be an issue as long as I stay the minimum 6' away, wash hands right before and after and make sure I don't touch my face meanwhile. I have decided however, not to do a multi unit converted row home unless I can be assured there will not be the usual contingent of large, multi-generational families there at the time of my inspection.

BTW, a couple of my main AMCs are located in Pittsburgh area. I was anxious to get an order for a drive-by sent to me Tuesday (there was a problem on their end and I didn't want it to go into the interminable black hole of being on hold) because, as I told the rep there, I was concerned they would soon shut down. She said that they were already all working from home and that, as she was backed up with hundreds of orders already, to expect them to keep coming.
 
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PhiloFarnsworth said:
She said that they were already all working from home and that, as she was backed up with hundreds of orders already, to expect them to keep coming.
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:eek: What happened to the super top secret portal in the office? The one that secures your work from hackers and the reason why you can't just email a report? If the AMC employees can't go to the office to retrieve the report from the portal, does that mean it's being floated in emails, that you are not allowed to use, but are suddenly great for their employees?

Hope Russians don't know this.

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Marty Boone said:
There won't be anyone working there to answer the phone.
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Well,
let's hope no one breaks into the building then.

And :eek: all those parking meters outside won't be making any money.
 
Meandering said:
Well,
let's hope no one breaks into the building then.

And :eek: all those parking meters outside won't be making any money.
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Drove by today on the way to an inspection and I had to laugh because I have never seen Forster St. so empty.
 
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