Massachusetts’ housing appraisers are concerned inaction by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is leaving them – and homebuyers – vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Most homes sold using a mortgage backed by either of the two government-sponsored enterprises requires an appraiser to examine the home, inside and out, to determine its true value. But the federal government’s failure to deploy enough COVID-19 test kits to accurately map the spread of the illness, inspectors are flying blind said Steve Sousa, executive vice president of the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers.

“The Federal Housing Finance Agency, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are totally asleep at the switch relative to appraiser and property owner personal safety,” he said in an interview.

The MBREA has been waiting on guidance since last week, Sousa said, on whether appraisers can move to all-external appraisals during the coronavirus outbreak.

“It would make it significantly safer for all involved,” he said.

Right now, the association is urging its members to establish two-way communication with a property’s residents before visiting to make sure they aren’t walking into a property holding a potential COVID-19 case. They are being urged to communicate back and forth about their health, residents’ health and residents’ potential for exposure. They’re also warned to wear gloves and not shake hands with residents.

Sousa said officials at Fannie Mae told him they are “looking at this,” but he has so far not received a firm reply. Neither Fannie Mae nor Freddie Mac immediately returned messages left seeking comment.

“Each day that goes by makes appraisers more and more nervous about it,” Sousa said.