Real Estate Services is an Essential Business Activity in Massachusetts

On March 23, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to the the public and workers. Since the enactment of the emergency order, it has been amended to include “Residential and commercial real estate services, including settlement services.”

Residential and commercial real estate brokerage may resume their brick and mortar agency operations. However, the real estate brokerages must observe the rules that preclude gatherings of ten or more persons, and the current social distancing and hygiene rules.

The amended order also means that real estate attorneys in Massachusetts may also resume their normal business operations. Real estate attorneys provide “settlement services” by acting as the closing and escrow agent throughout the real estate transaction. There are many purchase and sales agreements that were entered into prior to the date of the emergency order, and there are numerous transactions that are scheduled to close during the month of April. If real estate attorneys were not considered as essential during the current crisis, the damages suffered by homeowners and buyers, as well as the Massachusetts economy would be unprecedented.

Northshore Legal LLC specializes in real estate law, and represents buyer and sellers of residential and commercial real estate. We will continue to provide updates throughout the pandemic crisis. We can be reached at consultation@northshore.legal or 781-463-6063.