Legal FAQs

SCR is receiving reports of insurance companies requiring roof replacement shortly after closing. Buyers who cannot afford a new roof may see their insurance canceled. Then, the mortgage lender to protect themselves will "force place" insurance which will be very expensive. Failure to pay the PITI mortgage payments can result in foreclosure. SCR is receiving… Continue Reading From Byron King: Worn Roof, Insurance Issues, SCR311 and SCR233 Help

REALTORS® get your compensation agreement with your brokerage (and team) in writing ASAP...hot topics for your lawyer to include: What is your compensation split on commissions while you are at the brokerage/team? What is your compensation split on commissions if you leave the brokerage/team? This could include a real estate career move or retirement or… Continue Reading From Byron King: Get Compensation Agreement In Writing ASAP

https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/policies/changes-to-mls-policy-statements-742-and-743-mls-of-choice During the 2017 REALTORS® Conference and Expo, NAR’s Board of Directors voted to adopt changes in MLS Policy giving licensees more flexibility in where they subscribe to MLS (aka “MLS of Choice”). That change went in effect July 1, 2018. Based on broker experience, the NAR Leadership Team recognized a need for additional revisions… Continue Reading From Byron King (July 2018) MLS of Choice

https://www.nar.realtor/events/mediator-mediation-training NAR offers some of the best mediator training classes in the world. This NAR mediation class will fill up asap, so apply asap if you are interested. If you have taken SCR mediation training or NAR mediation training or SC Bar mediation training in the past and are interested in becoming a SCR mediator… Continue Reading from Byron King: NAR mediation training in Chicago September 4, 5 and 6 2019

SCR310 section 6 states that the buyer's transaction costs include...all costs to obtain information from or pertaining to any owners association (aka certificate of assessment). This is interpreted as the cost to obtain documentation about the seller's owners association issues and costs to investigate the owners association (e.g. getting the documentation on the seller's owners… Continue Reading From Byron King: HOA Fees and the SCR310 Contract

Risk management could lead you to possibly using one or all of these as your email signature or tailoring them to your risk management needs: WIRE FRAUD WARNING: Organized criminals may send fake email to trick you into wiring or electronically sending your money to them so they can steal your money. Always be suspicious… Continue Reading From Byron King: Sample Email Signature

The LLR seller disclosure asks about a meter conservation charge. Basically, this is a way the utility charges or "finances" energy measures such as a new energy efficient hot water heater or other appliance for example. You have often seen these offers in your utility bills. SC Code: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t58c037.php SECTION 58-37-50. Agreements for energy efficiency… Continue Reading From Byron King: Statutory Definition Meter Conservation Charge

When you are dealing with clients who exhibit signs of mental health issues or dementia or confusion, there are a number of steps you can take to help. Talk to the client. Ask the client for permission to reach out to emergency contacts that the client has provided you (e.g. friends, family, relatives, lawyers, social… Continue Reading From Byron King: Handling Clients Exhibiting Mental Confusion, Memory Lapses (More than Normal)

Wondering what your top three 2019 risk management worries should be? NAR risk management committee identifies three: Team issues Coming soon Cybersecurity https://www.nar.realtor/natmeet.nsf/vwAttachmentsByKey/20461AC02FFF293786258354007C7B87/$File/AN18%20Minutes.Final.pdf Team issues: Remember the BIC supervises and compensates so have all that in writing. Know who your BIC is. Know in writing what your compensation is and how issues change if you… Continue Reading By Byron King: NAR Risk Management Committee Top 3: Teams, Coming Soon, Cybersecurity

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess122_2017-2018/bills/3886.htm Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: Homeowners Associations, Consumer Affairs services SECTION 1. Title 27 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding: "CHAPTER 30 Homeowners Associations Article 1 South Carolina Homeowners Association Act Section 27-30-110. This article may be cited as the 'South Carolina Homeowners Association… Continue Reading New HOA laws