Michael Crist

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)

Licensees and Brokerages may want to remind your 2025 buyers who bought 6% property tax assessment ratio properties (e.g., primary residence is 4% property tax assessment ratio) to properly apply for any ATI 25% proper tax valuation discount at their county goverment (e.g. online, at county government offices, no later than January 30, 2026 or… Continue Reading ATI Deadline January 30th Reminder!

Complaint packages sent: 2024 181 2025 174 Complaint packages received back: 2024. 59 2025. 67 Grievance Committee moved to a hearing: 2024 35 2025 43 Hearings: 2024 22 2025 27 Ranked articles: 2024: 1, 2, 12, 10, 15, 9, 4, 3, 7, 11, 13 2025: 1, 2, 12, 9, 15, 16, 3, 4, 11, 5,… Continue Reading Updated Professional Standards Statistics (#2 is #2)

South Carolina Statewide Cooperative Hearings: 2025: 27 2024: 22 2023: 27 2022: 20 Several Local Associations joined the SC Statewide Professional Standards Cooperative (e.g., CTAR, GGAR, effectively doubling the REALTOR® population in the statewide cooperative to 30,000 REALTORS®). Zoom hearings began circa 2020-2021 due to the pandemic. 2021: 14 2020: 10 Posted by: Byron King… Continue Reading SCR Professional Standards Hearings

Complaint packages sent: 2024 181 2025 174 Complaint packages received back: 2024. 59 2025. 67 Grievance Committee moved to hearing: 2024 35 2025 43 Hearings: 2024 22 2025 27 Ranked articles: 2024: 1, 2, 12, 10, 15, 9, 4, 3, 7, 11, 13 2025: 1, 12, 9, 15, 16, 3, 4, 11, 5, 6, 13… Continue Reading 2024 and 2025 Professional Standards Statistics

2025 NAR Professional Standards Statistics. Ranked order of ethics articles filed: 1 honesty, client's best interest 12 false advertising 9. properly update agreements in writing 15 "gossip" 16 " poaching clients" 3. cooperation 4. self-dealing 11 competence 5 self-dealing 6 compensation disclosure 13 recommend legal counsel Busiest month: October Least busy month: June Complaint packages… Continue Reading 2025 Professional Standards Statistics

December 2025: 20 complaint packages sent 5 ethics complaints received 7 ethics complaints reviewed by Grievance Committee 2 ethics complaints moved to Professional Standards Committee citing Articles 1, 2, 4 1 ethics hearing held Posted by: Byron King on 1/6/26 (This information is only accurate as of 1/6/26. You must contact SCR for updates and… Continue Reading Professional Standards December 2025

Because it is relatively simple to disclose, my recommendation is to disclose in all channels at all times. It is common industry jargon to use "agent owned" or similar words to that effect in all channels (e.g., MLS, print, internet, signage, socials, forms, emails, texts, calls, conversations, flyers, tv, radio). South Carolina forms implement state… Continue Reading Always Everwhere Properly DIsclose Self Dealing