Baltimore real estate operations have ground to a halt.

It’s been more than a week since a ransomware attack has targeted Baltimore city servers. The attack is impacting a plethora of businesses, including those who want to buy or sell a home in the city. Real estate agents and title companies say they cannot record housing sales or purchases, which prevents them from being able to close on a residence.

This puts a hold on buying and selling throughout Baltimore – not just for real estate businesses, but for new families who are hoping to make a move or get that first big house purchase underway.

70% of home sales happen from April to November each year, so this is a big financial blow to the real estate market.

Bret Devich of Definitive Title says he’s definitely felt the sting of the ransomware attack: “My heart is beating out of my chest. As a small family business, 16 years in Baltimore City, I don’t know what the next 10 minutes will be, let alone the next three weeks.”

The ransomware attack is even holding back permitting. The manager of the new Cross Street Market says several of their vendors are still waiting on final inspection of their restaurants or permits for their stalls within the building, which just underwent renovations. The city is working with the FBI to get their systems back online, but that process could take weeks.

It is unclear how much money the hackers want, but Baltimore mayor Jack Young says he will not pay that ransom.