Friday Video Update

This week Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer, Annie Fitzsimmons, discusses the newly revised Form 21. This newest version of Form 21 has a revision date of August 2024 and should be used by brokers immediately. There are some major changes to this form centered around documenting broker's compensation. But, not to worry, Annie and Washington REALTORS® have you covered!

Join Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer, Annie Fitzsimmons, as she dispels a recent rumor circulating around the recent NAR settlement and it's ramifications for REALTOR® members who use independent MLSs like NWMLS.

This week Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer, Annie Fitzsimmons, talks about brokers who are members of NWMLS and an NAR MLS that want to list a listing in both MLSs and how the implementation of the NAR settlement agreement effective August of 2024 will affect this process.

In this episode, Annie discusses what changes took place to Form 1A–SWF and why listing brokers need to update their listing agreements NOW!

We're back again this month with Bill Dutra and Cathy McDonald from the Department of Licensing. They'll be discussing transaction folders with #WRLegalHotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons to explain what the Department of Licensing needs to see in brokerage transaction folders during an audit.

In this episode, Annie discusses whether or not Listing Brokers should be asking for copies of Buyer Agency Agreements and if Buyer Brokers should provide them to Listing Brokers.

In this third episode, the panel discusses issues around earnest money, and how they can affect a DOL audit of your firm.

In this second episode, the panel discusses Purchase and Sale Agreements, and how they can affect a DOL audit of your firm.

Imagine you receive notice that your firm is about to be audited by the Department of Licensing. You might ask, “What’s that got to do with me? That’s an administrative issue.” It has A LOT to do with you! The procedures and maintenance of your transaction folder is imperative in ensuring your firm thrives through an audit and that you stay out of hot water. We invited Bill Dutra and Cathy McDonald from the Department of Licensing to speak with #WRLegalHotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons to explain what the Department of Licensing specifically looks for during an audit, especially as it pertains to a fully, signed PSA, earnest money, advertising, and more. In this first episode, the panel discusses the timely submission of documents, and which documents should be in your firm's transaction folder.

This week we continue with another round of our Operation Evolve series! As we approach the six-month milestone with the new Washington State Agency Law standards, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer, Annie Fitzsimmons, addresses key issues raised by our members via the Legal Hotline. In this episode, Annie discusses Agency law, and why you should never require your sellers to offer buyer compensation. Tune in to stay confident and stay informed!

A special invitation from Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons and CEO Nathan Gorton. Join today and protect your firm from potential legal liability stemming from recent class action lawsuits. By becoming a member, your firm will benefit from a release of liability for claims related to compensation practices, applicable to firms with residential transaction volumes of $2 billion or less in 2022. Additionally, leverage our liability protection and access to legal education through the WR Legal Hotline as a powerful recruitment tool for your office. Ensure your firm and brokers are safeguarded by the August 17th deadline. Complete the form below to start the process and secure these important protections for your brokers.

In this week's episode, Annie discusses best practices for a broker in a situation where the buyer has agreements with multiple brokers. Tune in to stay confident and informed!

In this episode, Annie provides guidance on holding an open house with the new Agency Law in place. Tune in to stay confident and informed!

In this episode, Annie discusses the importance of naming all licensed team members in your brokerage's transactions. Tune in to stay confident and informed!

Welcome to another installment of our Designated Broker Video Series: DBrief! This series is dedicated to keeping our Designated Broker/ Owners and industry leaders well-informed and providing ongoing support from the association. In this episode, WR President Jeff Smart introduces Dr. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist & VP of Research at the National Association of REALTORS® to present on key trends in the real estate market. Dr. Lautz covers the economic real estate environment, including some interesting data on consumer demographics and trends. She also covered some great resources for Designated Brokers and a few tips on what REALTORS® can do to better serve their clients in this economy.

This week we continue the second round of our Operation Evolve series! As we approach the six-month milestone with the new Washington State Agency Law standards, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer, Annie Fitzsimmons, addresses key issues raised by our members via the Legal Hotline. In this episode, Annie speaks about the ability to sever or modify the relationship between agents and consumers without affecting the relationship with the brokerage.

WR President Jeff Smart shares insights on housing market trends to be aware of this spring and summer and a real estate outlook for the second half of 2024. TV Interview - KOMO-TV (ABC; Seattle, Wash.)

In this next round of Legal Hotline videos, we continue our Operation Evolve series! As we approach the six-month milestone with the new Washington State Agency Law standards, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer, Annie Fitzsimmons, addresses key issues raised by our members via the Legal Hotline. In this episode, the discussion focuses on brokers representing sellers who work with unrepresented buyers in real estate transactions.

This week we're back with the fifth and final episode of our newest Legal Hotline Video Series: Buying Tenant-Occupied Property! This series will help brokers and their clients navigate tenant situations in Real Estate transactions. hosted by WR Legal Hotline Lawyer, Annie Fitzsimmons with special guest Kaitlyn Jackson, an attorney with Williams Kastner in Seattle. Listen as they discuss the best practices when closing tenant-occupied transactions.

Get ready for the 2024 Legal Symposium! Join us on this 7-clock-hour day that's jam-packed with valuable education delivered by SIX real estate lawyers. Happening May 30th, 2024 from 9AM-4:00PM at the DoubleTree in SeaTac, with parking and lunch included! The panel of lawyers will debate a wide range of scenarios and information to keep you updated on the latest legal issues facing the industry today. Don't wait to secure your spot: register today: https://warealtorportal.ramcoams.net/Education/Registration/Details.aspx?cid=e0b950f7-6fec-ee11-9cb7-00155d0079cd