A Message from Sherry Fowler, GAAR President

Sadly, our Governor has decided to shut our state down again. And just when we began recovering from her last catastrophic shut down. 

Only this time, Governor Grisham has deemed Real Estate as a Non-Essential service. Yes, that's right. Walmart is essential, an oil change is essential, even a liquor store is essential. But what's not essential is having shelter or a place to sleep at night. And forget about the right to transfer property, it's not considered essential.

What does this mean for you? Real Estate Brokers can have no contact with buyers or sellers other than remotely. As for showing properties, a buyer can tour a home, but not with a broker present in the house. Yes, we are supposed to open doors and let buyers wander freely throughout a property! How many sellers are going to welcome this? 

And that's just a small part of the picture. The bigger picture is the devastation this can have on our local economy. The National Association of REALTORS® attributes $72,103 from every NM home sold at the median price, helps to fuel the local economy.

And for every home sold, here are just some of the industries who realize income:

  • Real Estate Brokerages
  • Transaction Coordinators
  • Mortgage Companies 
  • Title Companies 
  • Inspectors, Appraisers & Surveyors
  • Photographers & Home Stagers
  • Repair Contractors
  • Moving Companies
  • Furniture & Appliance Retailers
  • Landscapers
  • Painters & Flooring Installers
  • Blinds & Window Covering Retailers 
  • Locksmiths
  • And so much more!

And this doesn't mention the loss of Gross Receipts Tax (a straight up 8.875% in Bernalillo County) for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE SERVICES that won't go to the state.

Early on, we voluntarily implemented safety protocols to protect our clients, the public and ourselves. Guidelines recommended virtual showings before any in-person showings, limiting in-person showings to only qualified buyers, and protocols for disenfecting surfaces before and after any viewings.

I hope you will contact the Governor and ask her to make Real Estate Essential!

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
490 Old Santa Fe Trail Room 400
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: (505) 476-2200
Toll free: (833) 520-0020
https://www.governor.state.nm.us/contact-the-governor/

And PLEASE share and repost this, as we need everyone, not just REALTORS® to object loudly!