North Charlotte Today

March usually marks the middle of the busiest season for real estate agents. It is the month before spring begins and people are ready for change. However, due to the coronavirus crisis plaguing America, real estate agents say sales are down this year.

Realtor Jonathan Osman of Tryon Realty Partners says spring is when house sales are up and that is when they earn the majority of their income for the year. Things are different this year. Osman says due to the coronavirus pandemic, he’s had buyers back out or put buying homes on hold.

Charlotte's tight real estate market has lasted for years. That is because of the demand for homes usually more than the ever-dwindling supply of homes. During a normal March season, sellers often receive many bids. The multiple bids often drive house prices up.

Osman told the Charlotte Observer that during the coronavirus crisis, selling homes is very difficult.

“It’s kind of like trying to sell a home during an actual hurricane,” Osman told the newspaper.

Osman says he is not showing homes to potential buyers because he doesn't want to be responsible for someone getting sick. He has suspended open houses indefinitely.

“I’ve got to bear the moral responsibility if somebody gets sick as the result of somebody touching a doorknob, touching a key,” he said.

As a result, Maren Brisson-Kuester, who is the president of NC Realtors, said she canceled all open houses.

"It’s difficult to avoid having more than 10 people at a time during an open house," Brisson-Kuester told the Charlotte Observer. “There is absolutely no reason for us to allow an open house right now in this climate,” she added.

Robin Mann, who is a broker with EXP Realty’s Sold in the Carolinas Real Estate, said she similarly suspended open houses to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

“I just don’t feel that it’s the right thing to do,” she told the newspaper.