Pennsylvania?Association of?Realtors®?Says Governor Should Reopen Real Estate Statewide

LEMOYNE, Pa., May 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --?The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors®?were?shocked?that Gov. Tom Wolf today announced?the?majority of?the?state is still closed for in-person real estate transactions.? 

Real estate services are being conducted safely in nearly every state across the country, yet Pennsylvanians are being denied the ability to purchase shelter. Bordering states have all adopted safe procedures to ensure that their citizens?are able to?work with real estate professionals to buy and sell?property.? 

"Real estate is a life-sustaining business,?despite what state officials have declared," said PAR President William Festa. "Professionals are?safely?assisting clients to buy and sell property?in most other?states,?however, this limited reopening will continue to restrict Pennsylvanians' ability to purchase shelter where they want to live. For some consumers, they may be able to purchase or sell their home in one?county, but?be restricted in a bordering county. This?approach?simply doesn't make sense."?? 

Two bi-partisan bills that would allow real estate services to reopen uniformly across the state have been introduced in the state House and Senate. House Bill?2412 (Polinchock, R-Bucks)?was passed by the House this week and has moved to the Senate for consideration, while Senate Bill 1137 (Boscola, D-Lehigh) was introduced in the Senate this week. Both?outline?how real estate could be reopened, following CDC safety guidelines.? 

"The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® is not advocating for 'business as usual'," Festa said. "The association?is developing procedures?outlining how our 35,000 members could safely conduct business to protect consumers,?their clients, as well as themselves."? 

Since Gov.?Wolf?shut businesses down, the association has continued to advocate for consumers and requested that?real estate services?be reclassified?as life-sustaining, following the?revised?federal guidelines.?Senate Bill 613, which passed the state General Assembly, would have required the state to follow the revised federal guidelines, however Gov. Wolf vetoed the bill.?? 

"We've heard countless stories from consumers across the commonwealth, who are facing housing uncertainty and financial hardships because the state's shut down has?severely curtailed the practice of real estate," Festa added. "We urge the governor to reconsider?prohibiting?Pennsylvanians from obtaining shelter."

SOURCE Pennsylvania Association of Realtors