SAFETY TIP #4 – Conduct a safe open house

• Don’t advertise a listing as vacant
• Establish escape routes from each level of the house
• Call the office or a buddy hourly
• Keep your keys and cell phone with you
• Park where you can get out quickly
• Never conduct an open house alone

(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.) Safety Guide

New Oil and Gas Mandatory Disclosure Statement

Effective January 1, 2015, sellers must provide a new Oil and Gas Mandatory Disclosure Statement (MOGDS) to buyers prior to making an offer.  The new Disclosure Statement is being developed by the Real Estate Commission and will be made available on the Commission’s Website, www.ncrec.gov, in December to allow sellers sufficient time to complete the Disclosure for any properties on the market as of January 1.

SAFETY TIP #3 – Keep a cell phone at your side

“In Case of Emergency” (ICE), program your emergency numbers into speed dial. These numbers should include 911, emergency road service, your office, your family numbers, and anyone else who may be available to answer your call for help.

Keep your cell phone fully charged and have a battery reserve.

(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.) Safety Guide

SAFETY TIP #2

SAFETY TIP #2 – Tell Someone

• Who you are with
• Where you are going
• When you will be back

(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.)http://bit.ly/1vHawN7

Know Who You are Dealing With

SAFETY TIP #1 – Know who you are dealing with when you have new clients or customers:

• Meet them at your office
• Complete the Client/Customer Identification Form
• Photocopy their driver’s license
• Get their car description and license number
• Verify their identity

(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.) Safety Guide 

2014 Investigator of the Year Award

The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO®) has recognized Real Estate Commission Senior Consumer Protection Officer Stephen L. Fussell as its 2014 Investigator of the Year.  The award was based on a case investigated by Mr. Fussell involving the activities of a real estate broker whose conduct went outside the scope of her employment, without her employer’s knowledge.

Commission Receives ARELLO Awards

Education Award:

Issues & Answers in North Carolina Real Estate Practice

This new course is a review of selected issues in real estate brokerage practice which often result in violations of the License Law. Brokers who have violated the License Law or Commission Rules are helped to avoid problems in the future by taking this course. It is taught by individuals from the Commission’s Regulatory Affairs Division and covers information directly related to the brokers’ conduct. Commission staff created the course by evaluating complaints filed during the previous year. They identified fifteen categories of the most commonly disciplined offenses. Stand-alone modules were developed in each topic area to allow the customization of each course offered depending on the participants’. The hope is that teaching brokers the laws and rules in a positive setting and establishing relationships outside of the disciplinary process can help brokers avoid repeating the same mistakes and instead, better serve consumers.

Communication Award:

Website

The goals of the redesigned website were to streamline the user experience and create a site that was both responsive and mobile friendly. The site’s design allows it to adapt to any size screen and be viewed on any device. The entire navigation system was redesigned to provide a more consistent feel across all aspects of the site allowing quick access to the most often requested information. The results of the newly designed site include faster loading, adaptation to any size device, a visually appealing experience, improved navigation and search functions, and a newsletter article search function. Google Analytics service is used to track the performance of the site and its content allowing staff to see the number of users and the content that most interests them. This will allow the development of new features to better serve licensees and the public.

New Commission Member

The Commission welcomed new Commission member Judy F. Greenhill, broker/owner of Classic Properties of the Catawba Valley in Hickory, at a swearing-in ceremony conducted by The Honorable Donna Stroud, Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals, on September 10, 2014.

Residential Offer to Purchase and Contract Form Revised

The standard residential Offer to Purchase and Contract form has been revised to include an expanded reference to the Subdivision Street Disclosure Statement required in certain circumstances under NCGS 136-102.6. This disclosure statement is separate and distinct from the Residential Property and Owners’ Association Disclosure Statement required under NCGS 47E.

NCHILB Prohibition Against the Payment of Referral Fees by Home Inspectors

Brokers should be aware that the NC Home Inspectors Licensing Board rules prohibit Home Inspectors from paying referral fees or other compensation to real estate brokers or other parties having a financial interest in a real estate transaction for referrals for inspections or inclusion on a list of “preferred” or “recommended” inspectors.