Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS®

A graphic representation of the COVID-19 virus

Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS®

In response to the growing concerns about COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus, we hope this dedicated page will provide guidance to help REALTORS® and REALTOR® associations respond to the coronavirus's impact on our industry.

  • NEW: Landlord Assistance: Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) Emergency Rental Arrears Program (ERAP) for Landlords
  • Vaccine Information: MOStopsCOVID.com is the website that provides Missourians with information regarding the safety of vaccines, research and production processes, and when various groups are eligible for vaccination. Unless a REALTOR® falls into Phase 1A or 1B due to age, underlying conditions, or for other reasons, those who work in the real estate industry are eligible for vaccination in Phase 2. Phase 2 vaccines in Missouri will be available on March 29, 2021. You are encouraged to sign up multiple times with multiple providers to increase chances of a confirmed appointment. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines, real estate is included in the  “Financial Services Sector” of essential workers. Some vaccine surveys will ask for that information.  
  • Missouri Real Estate Commission: REALTORS® are encouraged to check the MREC website for updates: https://pr.mo.gov/realestate.asp. General inquiries can be directed to REALESTATE@PR.MO.GOV. Additional key email addresses are: Licensure issues -- carmen.cobb@pr.mo.gov; Complaints/Investigation issues -- dewayne.hickey@pr.mo.gov; and Education issues -- terry.murphy@pr.mo.gov.

    The Missouri Real Estate Commission voted to permit accredited schools to move approved in-seat live classroom courses to distance delivery type method.  The current CE course Webinar/Zoom (remote) temporary authorization, that was set to expire effective October 31, 2020, will be extended until December 31, 2020.  The extended Broker renewal deadline was August 31, 2020, and the extended Salesperson renewal deadline is October 31, 2020. Check the MREC website for many more updates and additional details.


    The Professional Registration building has re-opened to walk-ins effective Monday, February 1, 2021.  They expect visitors to practice COVID-19 precautionary measures.  Only three people will be allowed in the lobby at a time (socially distanced).  If more than three people arrive, the fourth and subsequent people will be asked to wait in their vehicles and the receptionist will call them when a slot opens in the lobby.  Their drop box will remain available just outside the main entrance to the building (on the left).  Licensees and applicants can drop sealed envelopes in that drop box at any time (24/7) addressed to the appropriate Board or Commission.  You can also email real estate related questions to realestate@pr.mo.gov or call the MREC at (573) 751-2628.

    Missouri Real Estate Commission
    3605 Missouri Boulevard
    P.O. Box 1339
    Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

  • Guidelines for CE Classes after COVID 19 
  • NEW Forms: The current world-wide Coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) has had unprecedented impacts on real estate transactions. In order to help you address some of these issues, the Missouri REALTORS® Residential Forms & Risk Management Mission Committees held emergency meetings to develop and approve the following new forms for your use:

  • Remote/Online Notarization: On April 6, 2020, Governor Mike Parson issued Executive Order 20-08, suspending a statutory requirement that a Notary Public must conduct the notarization of official documents while the signor personally appears in front of him or her. This order was extended until June 15, 2020, by Executive Order 20-10. The order allows for the use of audio-video technology to complete the personal appearance requirement, protecting the health and safety of Notaries Public across the State of Missouri. We continue to work with the Legislature to pass a permanent remote/online notarization bill.

    HB 1655, introduced by REALTOR® Rep. Hannah Kelly, was approved by the General Assembly and amended in the Senate to include Sen. Sandy Crawford's Senate Committee Substitute for SB 578, Notary, Electronic Notary and Remote Online Notary. Upon the Governor's signature, the bill will become effective on August 28, 2020. In order to become a notary, a person must be 18 years of age, reside or have a regular place of business in Missouri, be a legal resident of the United States, read and write English, pass an examination and apply to the Secretary of State for a commission as a notary. The Act creates specific requirements for both electronic notaries and it regulates remote online notaries.  The Secretary will develop standards for remote online notarization.

    To register as an electronic notary public in Missouri, we recommend visiting the Electronic Notary page of the Secretary of State website.

  • The Intersection of SBA Loans and Unemployment Assistance

  • Unemployment Benefits for Self Employed: The State of Missouri signed an agreement with the US Department of Labor (USDOL) on Saturday March 28, 2020, regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act. The Act creates a temporary “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance” (PUA) program that extends unemployment benefits to those not traditionally eligible, including self-employed individuals. The Missouri Department of Labor received guidance late on Sunday, April 5, 2020, about the PUA program.  As of Wednesday, April 15, independent contractors can now file for unemployment benefits. The Department expects to begin processing claims the week of April 20. Remember, there are several unemployment benefits programs. It is the PUA program that independent contractors are eligible for.

    For the Three Easy Steps for Filing for Unemployment in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Labor urges anyone applying for the first time to watch this video Basics of Applying for Unemployment Benefits.

    You can apply directly on the Missouri Department of Labor Website. NAR has created this Unemployment Benefits FAQ for REALTORS®.

  • Paycheck Protection Program/SBA Loans: You are encouraged to watch this How to Secure Your Business Through the CARES Act video from NAR. Here is the recording of the recent Missouri REALTORS® Emerging Issues Forum where we had two CPA's and a banker provide practical information needed to apply for SBA loans.

    Simplified PPP Forgiveness Application for Small Borrowers ($50K or less)

    Download the Form 3508S PPP Forgiveness Application

    Read the Form 3508S PPP Forgiveness Application instructions


    Coronavirus: SBA CARES Act FAQs. See this infographic from NAR comparing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) vs SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). To locate a Paycheck Protection Program Lender, please visit: www.SBA.gov/PaycheckProtection. You apply for the EIDL loans on the SBA website versus through your bank.

  • Real Estate as an Essential Service: The statewide Stay Home Missouri issued by Governor Mike Parson effective Monday, April 6, 2020, has expired. If you live or work in a local jurisdiction that still has a Stay at Home order in place, we encourage the local board/association to work with their elected/appointed local officials to ensure that real estate is recognized as essential. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)  Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce advisory list of essential services. "Residential and commercial real estate services, including settlement services" are considered essential under this order.

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Flash Survey Results: Residential Economic Pulse

Flash Survey Results: C/I Economic Pulse