The Houston Association of Realtors has asked county officials to include real estate on a forthcoming list of essential services so closings on $800 million worth of residential real estate transactions scheduled in the next 10 days can go through. The county today ordered residents to stay home to avoid exposure to the coronavirus.
HAR President and CEO Bob Hale spoke during Harris County Commissioners Court’s Tuesday meeting, citing $2.4 billion in overall pending closings, the realty group said in a statement.
Whether or not real estate sales and leasing transactions are included in the county’s final order, HAR said it is developing a platform to allow agents to host and post virtual open houses and conduct virtual showings.
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On Friday, the association’s board decided to block notices of open house events on its consumer website.
“We appreciate that many folks want to continue conducting real estate business, but HAR, along with the Austin Board of Realtors, believes this is the most responsible and health-conscious way to operate at this time,” Chairman John Nugent said in a Friday press release.
The Texas Association of Realtors has also created a COVID-19 Addendum document providing for a 30-day extension of a closing date in a residential sales contract if the closing cannot occur due to a voluntary or mandatory COVID-19 quarantine or closure.
In addition, HAR is waiving third-quarter Multiple Listing Service fees for all subscribers who are current with their second-quarter payments.
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