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Commission Presentations
December 2025 Presentations
Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, spoke at Urban Durham Realty on December 9th.
Miriam Baer, Executive Director, spoke at Jacksonville Board of REALTORS® on December 10th.
January 2026 Presentations
*These presentations are subject to change due to the availability of Commission members and/or staff.*
Minerva Mims, Fair Housing and Community Relations Officer, will speak at HPW Rentals on January 9th.
Charlie Moody, Deputy Legal Counsel, will speak at Berkshire Hathaway HomeService Prime Properties on January13th.
Sarah Dixon, Associate Legal Counsel II, will speak at OWN Real Estate on January16th.
Dee Bigelow, Information Officer, will speak at Acorn + Oak Property Management on January 20th.
Miriam Baer, Executive Director, will speak at Fayetteville Real Estate School on January 30th.
Fair Housing
Understanding the difference between service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) is essential for housing providers, and equally important for consumers. While both play vital roles in supporting individuals with disabilities, the laws governing them are different. The overview below is designed to help you better understand what qualifies as a service animal, what defines an ESA, and the rights and responsibilities associated with each.
Service Animals
- Definition: Dogs (and in some cases miniature horses) trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability.
- Applicable Laws: Protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in public places and the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in housing.
- Housing Requirements: Must be permitted in all rental properties, including those advertised as “no pets.” Housing providers cannot charge pet fees or impose breed/size restrictions.
- Examples of Tasks: Guiding individuals who are blind, alerting someone who is deaf, pulling a wheelchair, or detecting seizures.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
- Definition: ESAs offer therapeutic benefits by providing comfort or companionship, but are not trained to perform specific tasks. While ESAs are most commonly dogs or cats, many domestically kept animals can serve in this role.
- Applicable Laws: Protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in long-term housing.
- Housing Requirements: Must be accommodated in long-term rental housing (typically leases of 30+ days). However, short-term vacation rentals are generally treated as transient lodging, and ESAs are not required to be accepted. Documentation from a medical provider explaining the need for the ESA is required.
- Examples of Support: Reducing anxiety, alleviating depression, or providing companionship.
Key Distinctions
- Service Animals: Task‑trained, covered by ADA and FHA, required in both short‑ and long-term housing.
- ESAs: Provide emotional support, covered only by FHA, required in long-term housing but not in short-term vacation rentals.
Best Practices for Housing Providers
- Adopt a written policy that clearly distinguishes between service animals and ESAs.
- Apply policies consistently and fairly to avoid discrimination.
Consult legal counsel to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.
Tech Corner: The Future of Real Estate Technology
As we step into 2026, it’s an exciting time to reflect on the progress real estate professionals have made—and to look ahead at the innovations that will shape the industry in the coming year. In 2025, Tech Corner articles helped licensees navigate key topics like digital signatures, compliant advertising, professional social media use, and more. For those who stay informed and adapt thoughtfully, 2026 promises to bring new tools, efficiencies, and opportunities.
2025 in Review: A few topics shared this year
In August, Real Estate Commission staff advised that constant use of digital tools in real estate like emails, AI-generated listings, scheduling apps, and nonstop notifications can lead to “digital burnout,” with stress, fatigue, reduced focus, and a loss of personal connection. Staff recommends simple strategies to avoid this: set clear boundaries and “offline” times, customize notifications, use automation thoughtfully, and prioritize real human interaction, keeping technology as a tool, not a source of constant pressure.
In September, NCREC staff provided information about how digital signatures can speed up transactions and reduce paper use. Brokers must still comply fully with record retention rules, keeping copies of all transaction records for at least three years after the transaction ends, agency relationship terminates, and all trust funds are disbursed. Additionally, brokers are urged to choose reputable e-signature providers and maintain independent backups treating digital records with the same diligence as traditional documents.
In November, an article cautioned about the limits of AI in real estate. While AI tools can be incredibly useful, they should never be relied upon for facts or legal advice, as outputs can be inaccurate or outdated. Brokers are urged to avoid careless use, such as letting AI generate listing descriptions without reviewing or uploading confidential client data. AI can’t replace professional judgment—brokers must always verify and apply their expertise when using these tools.
What 2026 Could Bring:
Based on what’s trending across the real estate industry and tech sector, here are some areas that have potential to grow in 2026.
• AI Assisted Communication
AI powered chatbots, virtual assistants, and automated marketing tools are becoming more popular. Tools that automatically schedule showings, send follow-ups, and nurture and answer basic questions give licensees more time to focus on clients.
What This Means and What Licensees Should Do to Prepare
- Stay educated on tech and compliance: New tools are great, but legal and regulatory compliance remains mandatory. Understand when using AI, e-signatures, or virtual tours that? all advertising, disclosures, and retention requirements are met pursuant to License Law and Commission rules.
- Adopt tools intentionally: Not every tool fits every business. Before adopting certain AI tools, consider whether they serve your clients’ needs and align regulatory requirements.
- Leverage technology to deliver value, not just efficiency: Use automation where it helps efficiency but preserve human judgment, client relationships, and ethical decision-making.
- Monitor data privacy, fairness, and transparency: As AI and automation take on more responsibility, ensure you and your tools treat client data responsibly, comply with fair housing and advertising rules, and maintain trust.
With selective adoption of new technologies, real estate professionals can stay ahead of the curve while providing exceptional service and adhering to regulatory requirements. Here’s to embracing innovation with care, ensuring our industry continues to thrive and evolve in ways that protect licensees and the public.
NCREC has a New Learning Management System
NCREC is pleased to announce a new partnership with DigitalChalk, and the launch of a modernized training portal designed to enhance course administration and deliver a more intuitive, efficient, and dependable learning experience.
How to Access the Training Portal:
1. Visit learn.ncrec.gov.
2. On your first visit, create an account using your email address as your username.
3. Browse the course catalog and purchase the courses you want.
4. After purchase, your course will appear under “Courses” in the left-hand menu. 5. For questions or technical assistance, email EDUC@ncrec.gov.
Reminder: Complete Your CE Today!!
Script: Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your 8-hour continuing education requirement! Finishing your courses early helps you avoid the stress and scheduling conflicts that can come with waiting until the deadline. Completing CE before June 10th and renewing your license by June 30th is essential to keeping your license active—missing these dates could result in an inactive or expired license, which means you cannot provide brokerage services starting July 1st. Getting your CE done early also ensures you stay current on License Law and Commission rule changes. If you haven’t registered for your continuing education classes yet, now, at the beginning of this new year, is a great time to do so!
New Year, New Goals!
Did you create a resolution for 2026? Do you need an idea(s) for a resolution?
Well, one resolution to embrace is a renewed commitment to increasing your brokerage knowledge and compliance. Staying current on NCREC rules and legal updates, while completing continuing education early and with intention, strengthens competence and confidence. Ongoing learning in areas such as material facts, agency, risk management, and emerging industry issues, helps brokers make informed decisions, reduce liability, and consistently meet their requirements under License Law and Commission rules.
Another important resolution is to lead every transaction with competence, fairness, and integrity. Prioritizing fair housing compliance, clear communication, and equitable treatment of all consumers reinforces public trust confidence in brokerage.
Happy New Year
As 2026 begins, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission warmly thanks all real estate brokers for your dedication, professionalism, and contributions to the industry. Your commitment helps raise the standards of real estate practice across the state.
This year, we wish you continued success, growth, and new opportunities in your real estate career. The Commission remains committed to supporting you with educational resources, guidance on regulatory compliance, and updates on License Law and Commission Rules. Staying informed and proactive ensures you can navigate the dynamic real estate market with confidence.
If you have questions regarding License Law, Commission Rules, or permissible brokerage activities, Regulatory Affairs is available to assist you at regulatoryaffairs@ncrec.gov.
May 2026 bring you fulfillment, achievement, and continued success in all your real estate endeavors!