Is Photography Permitted in an Occupied House? (4/8/2020)

Is Photography Permitted in an Occupied House? (4/8/2020)

Is photography permitted in an occupied house? If not, can we ask the seller to leave for a while to get photography done?


This is a great question, because it's not really addressed directly in any of the County Orders, but I would make the argument that the approved use of photographers is implied in a couple of different ways. The paragraph that grants us status as "Essential Businesses" uses the phrase that the definition shall include "Service providers that enable residential transactions..." and then goes on to state that "...viewings must only occur virtually." Photographers are clearly service providers that enable residential transactions, and how can we follow the dictum to make viewings virtual without photos?

So occupied or not, I would feel that we were on pretty firm ground saying that yes, photographers are allowed. The seller would need to have filled out the RLA-CAA form, indicating that they approve the entry of photographers, and they should not be at home at the time of the session; the photographer would need to sign our PEAD form, preferably wear a mask, booties and gloves and minimize touching any home surfaces. All of the above is moot in Berkeley, where inspectors and appraisers are fine, but photographers are forbidden.

- Elizabeth Pedrick

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