04/02/2020
IMPORTANT: COVID-19 UPDATE: State of Texas Executive Order & What it Means to Real Estate Service Providers
At 12:01AM tomorrow, April 2, 2020, the State of Texas Executive Order issued by Governor Greg Abbott will take effect. The State of Texas Order will supersede all orders issued by county and local governments (specifically including Harris County and Montgomery County). The State of Texas Order continues through April 30, 2020 (unless otherwise terminated, modified, or extended). A link to the State of Texas Order is included below.
What does this mean for Real Estate Service Providers and our clients?
Under the Montgomery and Harris County Orders, "real estate services" are deemed "essential services" if (1) the transaction involves leasing, or (2) the transaction involves a purchase/sale that was under contract at the time those Orders were issued.
Under the State of Texas Order, "essential services" are as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce ("DHS Guidelines"). Under the DHS Guidelines, "essential services" includes all "Residential and commercial real estate services, including settlement services." There is no distinction between lease transactions or purchase/sale transactions.
With the issuance of the State of Texas Order, our interpretation issued last Friday has changed. Real Estate Services Providers in Texas (including Bing Daniel Realty) are now legally authorized to perform all services for their clients -- whether those clients are buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants.
In compliance with the State of Texas Order and the DHS Guidelines, as a provider of essential services, Bing Daniel Realty will be following, and we expect our clients and colleagues to follow, federal and CDC guidelines by practicing good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation, implementing social distancing, and working from home whenever possible.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].