Hypothetically, if documents can't be recorded electronically or physically for whatever reason, it shouldn't be a roadblock in a legal sense because non-recorded Deeds and Deeds of Trust are still binding in TX.However, if the lender requires the documents to be filed before they fund the loan, that's a lender-specific policy and any exceptions would be at their discretion.

From there, applications, background checks, and lease signing can all be handled electronically to get someone in.

I received it two days ago and it seems its just has three steps- verify identity, electronic disbursement, and sign the closing documents. 

IE on the west coast escrow officers went home to workand title plants are off shore .. the Phillipines.. so your title searchs are done there with the title officer reviewing and they can work at home all our title plants are electronic and have been for decades.One thing we dont do much of here is checking on UTLS.. thats an east coast thing.  

Here are some measures to take now.1) Get set up for electronic payments if you have not.

yes I can see attorney closing states to be far more affected than states with huge title and escrow companies  that are now working from home and their title plants are in the Philippines and recordings are done electronically. to me you have a few contingencies1. valuation  ( appraisal)2. financing   ( how long will it take lender to get docs once your fully underwritten)3.

Relief for this program has been provided in the past during other presidentially declared disasters.SECURE Notarization ActNAR is working with other trade associations and industry partners to support the “Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2020” (SECURE Notarization Act).

You can still file for permits where I am, if you can do it electronically, which you haven't been able to do in the past, but they aren't closing permits indefinitely so even if you were to finish a renovation, your permits would not get closed.

Many agent friends I know continue to pay for various areas around Cincinnati as they get enough business from it that it more than pays for itself.Zillow owns DotLoop which is one of the dominating electronic paperwork companies in real estate. 

They were happy they purchased it, their insurance paid them quite a bit, as they had a lot of electronics down there.