Michael Crist

The Legal Description Website: FinCEN webinar (anti money laundering) https://www.thelegaldescription.com/tld/watch-demo-orw020526.aspx SCR forms update in March will cover FinCEN in the contract and there will be a standalone FinCEN form. While this federal FinCEN (Financial Crime Enforcement Network) federal anti-money laundering (AML) law enforcement website reporting is a large lender (bank) and closing attorney duty to… Continue Reading The Legal Description Website: FinCEN webinar (anti money laundering)

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is the federal government's law enforcement effort to help combat illegal money laundering in real estate that sometimes involves drug dealers and terrorists, per the feds. Here's a short FinCEN Update to help educate and share with your colleagues and closing attorneys asap for the March 1 enforcement date… Continue Reading SCR CEO Nick Kremydas’ update on FinCEN

SCR Forms Update Project, Target March 9, 2026 March 9 is a target date for many SCR forms updates with the forms vendors (e.g., zipForms Lone Wolf Transactions, Skyslope, Dotloop, Docusign, Brokermint). SCR residential compensation agreement, agency forms, purchase agreements, and non-agency transaction brokerage forms are scheduled to update. Jan 26 2026, the SCR Board… Continue Reading SCR Forms Update Project, Target March 9, 2026 for residential forms

https://www.wspa.com/news/crime/man-accused-scamming-gaffney/ Posted by: Byron King on 2/5/26 (This information is only accurate as of 2/5/26. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 2/5/26, as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org) This information is not legal advice. This… Continue Reading Scam Story

NAR Trademark and Brand Rules, Online Toolkit https://www.nar.realtor/logos-and-trademark-rules/logo-and-trademark-videos/association-trademark-logo-toolkit?cid=em_mark_01&narmail=Trademark%20Awareness%20-%20Email%20%231&date=02-04-2026&user=56072&itid=16750423 NAR recently hired a trademark and brand enforcement attorney, Leslie Nettleford-Freeman, who in her NAR bio, expresses her skills demonstrated by enforcing the AARP brand and trademark that will carry over into NAR enforcing the NAR brand and trademark. https://www.nar.realtor/leslie-nettleford-freeman Posted by: Byron King on 2/4/26 (This… Continue Reading NAR: Trademark Rules and Enforcement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkn0zxQV3TE Posted by: Byron King on 2/4/26 (This information is only accurate as of 2/4/26. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 2/4/26, as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org) This information is not legal advice. This… Continue Reading WRA: FinCEN, March 1, 2026

NAR has received questions from REALTOR members who are landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program regarding HUD's recent announcement about immigration status verification. Our Advocacy team has advised that private landlords who accept HCVs are not subject to this directive and are not responsible for verifying immigration status. Please check out this… Continue Reading NAR on HUD’s HCV Program, No Duty for Private Landlords

https://www.nar.realtor/videos/nars-core-trademark-rules Posted by: Byron King on 1/22/26 (This information is only accurate as of 1/22/26. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 1/22/26, as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org) This information is not legal advice. This… Continue Reading NAR Legal Trademark and Membership Marks (REALTOR)

https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-12/2026-COE-Standards-of-Practice-2026-01-01.pdf Posted by: Byron King on 1/20/26 (This information is only accurate as of 1/20/26. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 1/20/26, as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org) This information is not legal advice. This… Continue Reading 2026 NAR Code of Ethics

Only Broker-to-Broker referral compensation is legal under RESPA. RESPA expert shares how to avoid illegal kickbacks The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act is a complex federal law aimed at protecting consumers during the settlement process. If referrals are central to your business, listen up. One lawyer offers tips on complying with this federal law banning… Continue Reading NAR: Tips to Avoid RESPA (illegal kickbacks, referrals)