If you still remember being cut from a school play or sports team, you can put that angst to bed because real estate professionals and residential construction builders just made a much more important list earlier this week: The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency published a 15-page advisory outlining “critical infrastructure” that includes many housing industry professionals. This doesn’t mean that they must work—companies can still choose to suspend business if they deem the risk of spreading coronavirus too high—but now they have the choice in states that have issued shelter-at-home orders and are following federal guidelines.
Are the many activities that underline the real estate industry – from home construction to title searches – essential services during the coronavirus pandemic?
Christopher Krebs, director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), thinks so.
Earlier this week, Krebs designated “real estate services” as part of the nation’s “critical infrastructure” in a memorandum that serve as a guideline rather than an enforceable federal directive.
Related Stories
Q+A
IHP Capital Partners' Richard Whiteley Discusses Land Opportunity for Home Builders
For builders seeking buildable lots, migration, remote work, and renters are all having an impact
Housing Policy + Finance
Home Buyers Drive Up Mortgage Demand Ahead of More Expected Gains in the Spring
Mortgage rates are at their highest levels since March 2020, and more gains could price some buyers out of the housing market altogether
Building Materials
Lumber Volatility Reaches 75-Year High as Material Prices Increase 1.5% in December
The never-ending woes of softwood lumber prices strike the building industry yet again
