Bill to open up Pa.’s real estate industry heads to Gov. Wolf

A bill to declare real estate as a life-sustaining business in Pennsylvania is heading to Gov. Wolf’s desk for signature after being passed by the state house and senate.

House Bill 2412, introduced by Rep. Todd Polinchock, R-Chalfont, would allow for some level of in-person real estate in every county in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is the only state with a ban on most in-person real estate, however some activity has been allowed in counties that have been declared “yellow” zones in the governor’s COVID-19 reopening plan.

“We’re pleased to see that state House members reaffirmed their support of House Bill 2412, recognizing that shelter is essential and real estate is life-sustaining,” said PAR President Bill Festa. “The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors’ 35,000 members and their clients strongly urge Gov. Wolf to sign this bill and allow consumers to buy and sell homes.”

The PAR is encouraging the governor to sign the bill, which they have been strongly advocating for.

Festa noted that any in-person real estate activity would follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines for safety and social distancing.

He had previously stated that the industry was not expecting to go completely back to normal anytime soon and that activities such as open houses would not be held for the foreseeable future.