Legal FAQs

Focus on business issues. Avoid providing information on the potential buyer's fair housing protected classifications: Race Color Religion Sex National Origin Familial Status Disability Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Since all of us fit into one or more of these fair housing protected classifications, best to focus on business issues only. In multiple offers, many buyers… Continue Reading How to Write a Risk Free (Fair Housing) Buyer Love Letter

https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/governing-documents/code-of-ethics/training/code-of-ethics-training-requirements-existing-members FREE NAR online ethics training at this link. CONTINUING EDUCATION online ethics training at this NAR link (not free). Posted by: Byron King on 8/16/21 (This information is only accurate as of 8/16/21. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 8/16/21 as laws and regulations may change over time.… Continue Reading Complete your 2.5 hours Ethics Training be 12/31/21

REALTORS® should avoid handling or encouraging buyer love letters, buyer love letter videos which are slang terms for communications in letter form or email or photos or videos from the buyer to seller in order to tug on the seller's heartstrings to win a multiple offer when they are not the highest and best terms… Continue Reading Problems: Fair Housing Love Letters (revealing protected class – kids, race, disability)

https://www.nar.realtor/legal-case-summaries/broker-denied-commission-for-lack-of-written-agreement Posted by: Byron King on 8/12/21 (This information is only accurate as of 8/12/21. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 8/12/21 as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org)

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/bills/3094.htm Time effective SECTION 14. This act takes effect ninety days after approval by the Governor. Ratified the 13th day of May, 2021. Approved the 17th day of May, 2021. Posted by: Byron King on 8/05/21 (This information is only accurate as of 8/05/21. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information… Continue Reading New Carry Law in Effect in August

To get NAR and SC info on evictions and moratorium and emergency rental assistance for landlords: TEXT: EVICTIONS to 30644 Posted by: Byron King on 8/04/21 (This information is only accurate as of 8/04/21. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 8/04/21 as laws and regulations may change over time.… Continue Reading Text: EVICTIONS to 30644

https://www.nar.realtor/realtor-ae-magazine/gone-phishing Posted by: Byron King on 8/03/21 (This information is only accurate as of 8/03/21. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 8/03/21 as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org)

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) are extending the moratorium on single-family real estate-owned (REO) evictions until Thursday, September 30, 2021. The REO eviction moratorium applies to properties that have been acquired by a GSE through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure transactions. Posted by: Byron… Continue Reading FHFA Eviction REO Extend

For residential property transactions, the SCR listing agreement requires the seller to disclose material defects in writing and to authorize the listing brokerage/agent to disclose this information. The SC Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement (RPCDS) question #21 asks about ATMOSPHERE problems and the term problem is broadly defined in the RPCDS to include basically all… Continue Reading Air Quality, Air Problems, Seller Disclosure

https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/housing-advocates-ask-mcmaster-to-extend-sc-eviction-moratorium-federal-ban-set-to-expire/article_e3904f26-efcf-11eb-bd11-77e275399e57.html Posted by: Byron King on 7/29/21 (This information is only accurate as of 7/29/21. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 7/29/21 as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org)