Dear Realcomp MLS Subscriber,

Based on Governor Whitmer’s "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order (#2020-21), a temporary requirement for non-critical Michigan workers to remain at home, Michigan citizens are required to suspend all work-related activities that require them to leave their residences which are not necessary to sustain or protect life. The order took effect March 23, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and continues through April 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

How does this impact real estate professionals? Michigan REALTORS® has been working with the Governor’s Office to get answers to this question for you. The following excerpts are taken from their update from the evening of March 24, 2020:

• “The Governor’s Office issued further guidance on real estate services under Executive Order 2020-21. The FAQ makes clear that real estate brokers and salespersons are not “critical infrastructure workers” and therefore may not leave their homes for work. The only narrow exception to the order is the instance where work is absolutely necessary to assist those with a genuine and emergent need, such as an immediate lack of shelter.”
• “As for now, Michigan Realtors® current interpretation of Executive Order 2020-21 still stands. Real estate services, like the showing of homes and other property, open houses, and other client contact should be considered to be non-critical and travel to do so is prohibited through April 13, 2020. Willful violation of the Governor’s Order is a Misdemeanor. We have already received reports of law enforcement officers enforcing the Executive Order on the streets and establishing communications for the reporting of non-essential services that continue to operate.”
• “For those Realtors® with clients with a scheduled closing in the next three weeks, we have been advised that a number of Michigan title companies and appraisers will continue to do business under the federal government’s general category for financial/insurance services and that closings will proceed. Realtors® should check with the specific title company/appraiser regarding its policy.”
• “Real estate brokerages have the ability to participate in closings via conference calls or other video conferencing methods to comply with the Governor’s order.”
• • “If you have a purchase agreement in place and the parties wish to agree to an extension, this can be accomplished by utilizing the Michigan Realtors® Amendment to Purchase Agreement. As with any contract, please make sure that you are consulting with legal counsel.”

Clearly, Realcomp’s MLS Rules and Regulations are superseded by the Governor’s Executive Order. Where you can conduct business activities over the phone, through text & email, and via secure Cloud-based platforms, you are encouraged to do so. Additionally, our Customer Care team remains “on standby” to assist in answering your questions and helping you to experience success with our Cloud-based offerings. We also continue to schedule Webinars so you can use these tools to their full potential.

It is important to note where work activities are addressed by the Governor’s Executive Order, each citizen is responsible for observing these mandates. Realcomp is removing the ShowingTime icon from listings in RCO3® as we speak. This will remain unavailable temporarily for the term of the Executive Order. If you are looking at scheduling a Virtual Showing on a property, please contact the listing agent or office to make these arrangements directly. We are also removing the ability for MLS Subscribers to schedule Open Houses and all access to Open Houses already scheduled. Your ability to access these or similar functions through other apps and/or portals does not change your individual responsibility to adhere to the letter and spirit of the law and the Governor’s order. We will plan to reenable these functions once the Executive Order has been lifted.

Michigan REALTORS® has stated that they continue to be actively engaged and working with the Governor and the State Legislature on additional industry issues with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. As they continue to share updates with us, we will do likewise.

If you have questions about this information, please reach out at support@realcomp.com or 866) 553-3430. Better times are ahead! For now, we hope you stay positive, stay home, and stay well.

Respectfully,


Karen S. Kage
Chief Executive Officer
Realcomp II Ltd.