PAT RILEY, CEO, ALLEN TATE

March 26. Our home is the most important financial decision most of us will ever make. It’s our sanctuary during these uncertain times.

Pat Riley, CEO of Allen Tate, says there are still buyers who need to buy, and sellers who need to sell, in spite of COVID-19 and stay-at-home restrictions.

“What is unique about our business is that we have the technology and resources that will allow us to continue to provide what our buyers, sellers, insurance clients and mortgage clients need,” he said.

Real estate professionals—who are considered essential—can virtually make things happen, including pre-approval, viewing properties, virtual tours and open houses, holding pre-listing appointments and signing documentation.

The only exception to that would be courthouse closings.

Riley, CEO of the largest real estate company in the Carolinas, said he has not heard of any contract withdrawals.

“Traffic might slow for a while, listings might delay,” he said.

Realtors are committed to safe practices as advised by the CDC to ensure safe environments for our sellers to show their homes, buyers to view homes and agents and employees to continue to help them.

“What Allen Tate will continue to do is provide the level of professionalism and exceptional customer service as we have always done. We’re going to keep this train on the track, safely, in the very best way we know how,” Riley said.

Online services remain available at the Register of Deeds:

Record research
Historical Land Records
Birth or Death Records
Marriage Certificate Records

Roughly half the documents that are processed in MecklenburgCounty are electronically recorded—meaning the real estate attorney never comes into the Register of Deeds’ office.

Justin Ckezepis

“So long as the Register of Deeds e-Recording department remains open, Real Estate transactions can continue,” said Birkdale-based real estate attorney Justin Ckezepis.