Across Pennsylvania, consumers are being denied the ability to obtain shelter. Gov. Tom Wolf deemed real estate a nonlife-sustaining business, which has caused a significant hardship for Pennsylvanians. While real estate agents in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties can return to work when the state moves to the yellow phase May 15, the phased reopening still restricts more than half of Pennsylvanians from buying or selling a home and creates chaos in the real estate marketplace.

Real estate services are being conducted safely in nearly every state, yet many Pennsylvanians are being denied the ability to purchase shelter where they want to live. Bordering states have adopted safe procedures to ensure their citizens are able to work with real estate professionals to buy and sell property.

The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors has been advocating to make real estate a life-sustaining business. We believe that real estate professionals in Pennsylvania, as in most other states, can safely conduct business for their clients.

Two bills introduced in the state House and Senate would allow real estate to reopen across the state with proper safety procedures in place. We commend those legislators who support this legislation and recognize that real estate is a necessity.

We are not suggesting a return to “business as usual.” We recognize that the environment has changed, and real estate professionals are ready to adapt to these changes.

Every Pennsylvania real estate professional has stories of clients who’ve endured hardships because the state’s shutdown has curtailed the practice of real estate. Wolf needs to immediately reopen real estate statewide.

Tony Molnar-Strejcek

Hempfield

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)