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Current Stats: Monthly Licensee Count as of August 1, 2025

Commission Presentations

August 2025 Presentations

Jean Hobbs, Auditor/Investigator, spoke at Keller Williams Realty Fayetteville on August 5th.

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, spoke at Lincoln County Board of REALTORS® on August 5th.

Miriam Baer, Executive Director, spoke at Neuse River Region Association of REALTORS® on August 20th.

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, spoke at Lantern Realty and Development LLC on August 27th.

September 2025 Presentations

*These presentations are subject to change due to the availability of Commission members and/or staff.*

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, will speak at Compass on September 2nd.

Dee Bigelow, Information Officer, will speak at Salisbury Rowan Board of REALTORS® on September 9th.

Lyndi James, Auditor/Investigator, will speak at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage on September 9th.

Dillian Hecht, Associate Legal Counsel II, will speak at Orange Chatham Association of REALTORS® on September 11th.

Miriam Baer, Executive Director, will speak at Longleaf Pine REALTORS® on September 16th.

Brian Heath, Consumer Protection Officer, will speak at Triangle Chapter of the National Association of Property Managers on September 18th.

Tech Corner: Digital Signatures and Record Retention

Digital signatures can help simplify the way real estate brokers handle contracts and agreements. It can save time, reduce paper waste, and expedite transactions.

However, while these tools make transactions more efficient, brokers must remember that technology does not replace compliance. North Carolina License Law and Commission Rules require brokers to retain all records related to a transaction regardless of the format of the original record (e.g., hard-copy or electronic).

The Commission does not require any specific format of record retention so long as the records are legible and available upon request. A broker is required to retain all records for at least three years following:

The Commission does not recommend any electronic service provider over another.

In North Carolina, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), found in NCGS § 66-311 et. seq. applies to electronic records and electronic signatures in the conduct of a transaction, including a real estate transaction. UETA establishes the legal equivalence of electronic records and signatures with paper writings and manually signed signatures, removing barriers to electronic commerce. The responsibility for maintaining records rests with the broker, not the technology provider.

Best Practices for Digital Signature Use

  1. Choose a Reputable Provider
    • Select platforms that comply with UETA.
    • Confirm the service offers downloadable copies so you can store them independently.
  2. Maintain Multiple Backups
    • Keep electronic copies in at least two secure locations (e.g., encrypted cloud storage + a local backup drive).
    • Avoid relying solely on the platform’s storage in case your subscription ends or the provider changes service terms.
  3. Verify Document Integrity
    • Download the fully signed version and review the audit trail to confirm all signatures and timestamps.
    • Lock or password-protect files to prevent unintentional edits.

NOTE: Commission Rule 58A .0104, requires that a broker provide AND REVIEW the Working With Real Estate Agents Disclosure. Agency principles require the review and explanation of all documents signed by the client. Brokers should also keep accompanying emails and notes that indicate they met these obligations, not just proof that the client signed the document.

Digital signature technology can streamline your workflow—but it’s only effective if paired with consistent and compliant record-keeping. Treat your electronic records with the same diligence as paper versions.

Reminder: Guess What? You Can Take Your CE Now!

Have you taken your CE courses for 2025-2026? It is not too early for you to complete your required CE for this license year.

Disciplinary Actions

FREDDY A ALBAN (KANNAPOLIS) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Alban effective August 29, 2025.  The Commission found that Alban facilitated a transaction between a distressed homeowner and an unlicensed out-of-state investor who assigned a purchase contract to buyers who Alban knew wanted to buy a property. Alban failed to provide the Working With Real Estate Agents (WWREA) disclosure form or enter into a written agency agreement with the buyers and received an “assignment fee” at closing through his unlicensed investment firm, without the knowledge or supervision of either of the two firms with which he was affiliated.

DREW M BYERS (WINSTON SALEM) – The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Byers, effective August 13, 2025. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Byers violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Byers neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

CRYSTAL S CHEEVERS (HUNTERSVILLE) – The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Cheevers, effective August 13, 2025. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Cheevers violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Cheevers neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

BRIAN S HAIGLER (INDIAN TRAIL) – The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Haigler, effective August 13, 2025. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Haigler violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Haigler neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

DAVID S KLEPSER (CHARLOTTE) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Klepser, effective August 13, 2025, with no right to reapply for five years. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Klepser violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Klepser neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

OWEN E METTS (WILMINGTON) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Metts for a period of 24 months, effective June 15, 2025. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Metts’ nephew signed a Power of Attorney authorizing Metts to sign documents related to the transfer of real property in exchange for a commission. Metts incorrectly interpreted a legal document to include interest owed to his nephew upon the sale of the subject property. Metts refused to sign a quitclaim deed his nephew was required to sign pursuant to a divorce settlement until the seller paid a commission to him.

AMANDA G RIVERA (WENDELL) – Following a hearing, the Commission suspended the broker license of Rivera for a period of 6 months, effective September 1, 2025, and revoked the instructor approval of Rivera effective June 24, 2025. The Commission then stayed the suspension following a one-month active period upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Rivera reported disciplinary action by the North Carolina Appraisal Board more than five months after entry of the final order and misrepresented the extent of the disciplinary action taken against her. Rivera’s appraiser license was placed on inactive suspension for a period of six months. Rivera was prohibited from supervising trainees and teaching the appraiser supervisor and trainee course for a period of three years, and she was prohibited from teaching continuing education courses or qualifying education courses for a period of two years.

KRISTI L WOOLARD (GREENVILLE) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Woolard effective August 31, 2025. The Commission found that Woolard acted as the buyer’s agent who contracted to purchase an unimproved lot for $23,000. Prior to closing, Woolard, in violation of training by both the North Carolina Real Estate Commission and her Broker-in-Charge, emailed the closing attorney to obtain the wiring instructions for her client, did not call the closing attorney to verify the wiring instructions, and did not instruct her buyer to do so.  Unbeknownst to her, her communications with the attorney were intercepted by a hacker who replied with fake wiring instructions. Woolard passed these instructions along to her client who then wired $23,330.09 to the hacker’s account. Woolard’s client was unable to buy the property after her money was lost.