Announcement: The Commission names new Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs

Erin Becker was named the Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs for the North Carolina Real Estate Commission in August 2026. Erin graduated from Benedictine College with degrees in Political Science, Economics and Philosophy. She graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 2018.

Her legal career has been dedicated to public service. She has served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney with the Eastern District of North Carolina as well as an Assistant District Attorney in Wake County.

As the Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs, Erin oversees administrative and non-attorney staff, provides training, and litigates disciplinary cases. Erin serves as the chief assistant to the Director of Regulatory Affairs.

2026-2027 Continuing Education

Have you taken your CE courses for 2026-2027?

NCREC: ARELLO AWARDS

The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) is proud to announce that it received two national awards from ARELLO® (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) at its 2026 Annual Conference in Maui, Hawaii: the Post-Licensing/CE Award for the 2025–2026 Update Course and the Fair Housing Total Education Award. The Post-Licensing/CE Award recognizes excellence and innovation in continuing education and reflects the Commission’s commitment to providing North Carolina brokers with relevant, engaging, and practical education. The 2025–2026 Update Course was designed to address important issues affecting North Carolina brokers while providing practical information they could apply while conducting brokerage activities.

The Fair Housing Total Education Award recognizes the Commission’s efforts to promote fair housing education and awareness among North Carolina’s real estate professionals. Fair housing education remains an important part of NCREC’s mission to help brokers understand their responsibilities and promote fair and equitable practices in real estate.

Most importantly, these national recognitions are accomplishments shared by the Commission, its education staff, instructors, and the thousands of North Carolina brokers who participate in the Commission’s education programs. NCREC is honored to have its efforts to support and educate North Carolina’s real estate professionals recognized on a national level.

Tech Corner: Do you have policies for crisis management?

Every brokerage owner wants to believe their brand is built on trust and professionalism. And most of the time, it is. But a broker can’t control everything their agents do. And that’s the truth every broker needs to ponder: anything can happen, and when it does, your brokerage’s name is often attached to it whether you like it or not.

That’s why a Broker-In-Charge (BIC) should have office policies and procedures in place for handling a crisis involving an affiliated broker before one occurs. A crisis is rarely the right time to decide who will communicate with clients, who will speak on behalf of the brokerage, how information will be verified, or what steps to take regarding the broker involved. A pre-established plan allows the brokerage to respond quickly, consistently, and thoughtfully while protecting clients, the public, and its reputation.

A Real-World Case Study

In early September 2026, an Arizona real estate agent boarded a flight and became combative, allegedly screaming slurs, attacking a fellow passenger, and biting the people who tried to restrain him. Other passengers zip-tied and duct-taped him to his seat, and the plane was diverted to Baltimore, where he was arrested.

Within a short time, news outlets across the country had identified him not just by name, but by employer. Headlines didn’t just say, “unruly passenger”; they said, “real estate agent,” and named the brokerage.

The brokerage didn’t have the luxury of a slow response. The story was already moving. What they did next is a useful model:

• They confirmed the facts quickly and publicly: The brokerage acknowledged it was aware of the reports and the criminal charges, rather than staying silent and letting speculation fill the gap.
• They acted decisively: The brokerage ended its affiliation with the licensee immediately, making clear he was no longer authorized to represent them.
• They drew a clear values line: In their public statement, they described the agent’s conduct as fundamentally inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, and respect they expect from everyone affiliated with their brand.

Best Practices for Handling a Crisis

1. Get the facts before you publish a statement: Confirm what happened from as many reliable sources as possible: the agent(s) involved, witnesses, law enforcement, and your legal counsel.

2. Designate one voice: Decide who will speak for the brokerage and make sure every agent and staff member knows how to direct questions to that person. Mixed messages from multiple people inside the brokerage are often more damaging than the original incident.

3. Separate the individual from the institution: Your statement should be made clear that one person’s actions do not reflect your brokerage’s values or your other agents’ conduct.

4. Take visible action: Whether that means suspending an agent, ending an affiliation, cooperating with investigators, or reaching out directly to affected clients, action needs to be visible, not just implied.

5. Communicate directly with affected or concerned clients: Don’t make current clients of the agent in question find out from the news. A short, honest, proactive message, even just “we’re aware of this; here’s what it means for you; here’s who to contact,” goes a long way toward preserving trust.

6. Don’t go dark, and don’t over-promise: Silence gets filled with speculation. But don’t promise outcomes you can’t control, like the result of a criminal case.

7. Debrief afterward: Once the immediate crisis has passed, review what worked, what didn’t, and whether your brokerage’s policies need updating. A crisis you survive without learning from is a crisis you’ll likely repeat.

Commission Presentations

Appearances

September 2026 Presentations

Kizzy Crawford Heath, Assistant Director of Education and Licensing, spoke at Coastal Plains Association of REALTORS® on September 3^rd.

Michael Cowan, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Linda Craft Team REALTORS® on September 15^th.

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, spoke at Nest Realty Asheville on September 15^th.

Brian Heath, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Central Carolina Association of REALTORS® on September 16^th.

Jean Hobbs, Auditor/Investigator, spoke at Charlotte NARPM on September 16^th.

Leah Green, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Transition Realty Group on September 24^th.

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, spoke at Lantern Realty and Development LLC on September 28^th.

Brian Heath, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Blue Ridge Realty & Investments LLC on September 28^th.

October 2026 Presentations

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

Kizzy Crawford Heath, Assistant Director of Education and Licensing, will speak at Goldsboro-Wayne County Association of REALTORS® on October 1^st.

Jean Hobbs, Auditor/Investigator, will speak at Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS® on October 6^th.

Lyndi James, Auditor, will speak at REMAX Executive on October 14^th.

Janet Thoren, Executive Director, and Robert “Bob” Ramseur, Jr., Vice Chair, will speak at Brunswick County Association of REALTORS® on October 27^th.

Seller Impersonation Fraud: What Buyer Agents Need to Know

By: Dillian V. Hecht, Deputy Legal Counsel

Seller impersonation fraud continues to affect real estate transactions, particularly those involving vacant land, inherited property, abandoned homes, and remotely owned property. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using forged identification, stolen owner information, fake notarizations, and even AI-generated video to impersonate legitimate property owners.

While listing agents are often on the front line of verifying a seller’s identity, buyer agents should not assume that a property is legitimate simply because it is listed in the MLS or because the listing agent represents that the seller has been verified.  Buyer agents have their own responsibility to exercise reasonable skill, care, and diligence in protecting their clients. When the circumstances of a transaction present warning signs of seller impersonation fraud, simply relying on assurances from the listing side may not be enough.  Here’s what buyer agents need to know:

1. Recognize the Red Flags

Seller impersonation scams frequently share common characteristics. No single circumstance necessarily establishes fraud.  Buyer agents should pay particular attention when a transaction involves:

• Vacant or unimproved land;
• An absentee or out-of-state owner;
• A property priced significantly below market value;
• An all-cash transaction;
• An unusually quick closing;
• A seller who communicates only electronically;
• An unusually large due diligence fee;
• Requests to wire due diligence funds directly to the seller;
• A seller who avoids receiving a check or other payment through traditional means; or
• Other unusual urgency surrounding the transaction.

2. Don’t Just Rely on the Listing Agent

A buyer agent should not ignore suspicious circumstances simply because the listing agent says the seller has been verified. Instead, ask how that verification occurred.

Questions may include:

• Have you met or spoken with the seller live on videoconferencing such as Zoom?
• How was the seller’s identity verified?
• Was the seller’s ID compared to public records?
• Has the seller signed documents in person before a notary or attorney?
• Has anyone physically visited the property in preparation for listing?
• Did the seller provide ownership documentation?
• Are there any concerns regarding impersonation or identity verification?
• Has the closing attorney raised any issues?
• Was the property recently listed or withdrawn under another brokerage?

The answers matter. For example, a statement that the seller’s name “matched the tax records” provides little protection when a scammer can obtain the same information from public records.  Likewise, the fact that the listing agent received a copy of an identification document does not necessarily resolve the issue. Identification can be stolen, altered, or fabricated.

3. Respond to What You See

Buyer agents are not expected to become identity-verification experts or independently prove that every seller owns the property. They are, however, expected to recognize and respond appropriately to information that would cause a reasonably prudent broker to question the legitimacy of a transaction.

Consider a vacant lot owned by someone who lives out of state. The property is offered below market value, the seller wants a quick cash closing, and the seller requests a substantial due diligence fee to be wired directly to them. Even if the listing agent states that the seller has been verified, those circumstances should prompt additional scrutiny before the buyer sends money.

Depending on the circumstances, the buyer agent may need to ask additional questions, involve the closing attorney, recommend further verification, or advise the buyer of the potential risk before the buyer proceeds.

4. Encourage Buyers to Use Reputable Closing Professionals

Early legal involvement can often uncover issues before funds are transferred.  Buyer’s agents should strongly encourage:

• Experienced real estate attorneys
• Reputable title companies
• Enhanced title review
• Wire fraud prevention procedures
• Verification of seller identity before closing

5. Final Thoughts

Seller impersonation fraud is no longer rare, and no single verification step is enough. Real estate professionals should regularly discuss fraud prevention in office meetings, onboarding programs, and continuing education. In today’s market, vigilance is no longer optional; it is part of competent representation.

In addition to this eBulletin, please review Preventing Seller Impersonation Fraud in Residential and Commercial Transactions, published in September 2025.

Open House with Janet Thoren: Episode 1

Open House with Janet Thoren is a new video series from the North Carolina Real Estate Commission featuring Executive Director Janet Thoren in engaging conversations with Commission members, staff, and real estate experts. Each episode provides an inside look at the people, perspectives, and issues shaping North Carolina’s real estate industry.

Open House with Janet Thoren: Episode 2, Skip Alston

In this episode of Open House with Janet Thoren, Executive Director Janet Thoren sits down with NCREC Chair Skip Alston to discuss his role on the Commission, his perspective on North Carolina’s real estate industry, and the Commission’s work to protect the public and support a strong, professional real estate market.

Current Stats: Monthly Licensee Count as of September 1, 2026

Disciplinary Actions

CATAWBA PROPERTIES NC LLC (MARION)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Catawba Properties NC LLC for a period of 12 months, effective September 14, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Catawba Properties NC LLC maintained one (1) trust account for tenant security deposits and rent payments. Commission staff conducted a spot audit inspection of Catawba Properties NC LLC’s trust account. The audit revealed untimely disbursement of trust funds and an unidentified overage in the account. Catawba Properties NC LLC failed to perform monthly three-way reconciliations and did not properly maintain the trust account. Catawba Properties NC LLC failed to create, maintain, and retain records sufficiently to identify the ownership of all trust funds. Catawba Properties NC LLC failed to maintain trust account records that would provide a complete audit trail and did not properly deposit or handle trust funds.

ANTHONY DAVID DIGIOIA (CORNELIUS)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Digioia for a period of 6 months, effective February 10, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Digioia was contacted by an individual who wanted Digioia to act as listing agent for vacant land they purported to own. Digioia listed the property but failed to take adequate steps to verify the identity of the caller other than checking a phone number on an app. The fraudulent transaction was only discovered after the closing attorney mailed a check to the actual owner’s address after a failed wire transfer. The buyer lost the due diligence fee paid as well as other costs paid in the transaction. Digioia refunded his full commission in the transaction.

TERESA SIMMONS DIXON (TEACHEY)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Dixon for a period of 12 months, effective September 30, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Dixon acted as the buyer’s agent in the transaction and helped the buyer select a home to purchase. The buyer wanted to make an offer to purchase this home but needed to sell another property to afford the new one, so he told Dixon to make an offer on the new home contingent on selling the other property. Dixon did not submit a contingent sale addendum with the offer to the seller and did not inform the buyer that his Offer to Purchase was not contingent on selling the other property. The buyer went under contract, but the transaction did not close because he was unable to sell the other property in a timely manner. Additionally, Dixon failed to respond to a Letter of Inquiry from the Commission within 14 days of receipt. Dixon did not respond to the Commission for over 4 months after receiving a Letter of Inquiry.

ANNA HROMYAK (WILMINGTON)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Hromyak effective August 17, 2026.  The Commission found that Hromyak represented a buyer in the subject transaction. The buyer and seller agreed to include a home warranty in the contract, costing around $700.  Hromyak failed to ensure that the agreed-upon home warranty was included in the closing documents, and the transaction closed without it.

KEYSTAR REALTY & MANAGEMENT LLC (RALEIGH)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded KeyStar Realty & Management LLC, effective August 17, 2026. The Commission found that KeyStar Realty & Management LLC listed and was responsible for the accuracy of the advertisement of a property listed by an affiliated provisional broker. KeyStar Realty & Management LLC listed the property as having 2,538 square feet of heated living area, improperly including 756 square feet of unpermitted space not directly accessible from the main living areas. KeyStar Realty & Management LLC improperly advertised that the unpermitted space could be used to generate rental income and misrepresented that the property was located on a public street when it is a private road with no road maintenance agreement. After contract formation, it was discovered that the unpermitted area is not permitted to be rented and the street is private with no road maintenance agreement.

CHRISTINA ELISE PARKER (DENVER)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Parker effective September 23, 2026.  The Commission found that Parker was the broker-in-charge and responsible for supervising an affiliated broker. The affiliated broker agreed to represent a buyer in the purchase of residential property located approximately 190 miles from their primary service area. Parker failed to ensure the Working with Real Estate Agents Disclosure form was timely completed and failed to ensure the affiliated broker properly disclosed agency relationships.

DAVID JOHNSON PATNEAUDE (MARION)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Patneaude for a period of 12 months, effective September 14, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Patneaude was broker-in-charge and qualifying broker for Catawba Properties NC LLC. As broker-in-charge, Patneaude was responsible for maintaining the firm’s trust account. Commission staff conducted a spot audit inspection of Respondent’s trust account. The audit revealed untimely disbursement of trust funds and an unidentified overage in the account. Patneaude failed to perform monthly three-way reconciliations and did not properly maintain the trust account. Patneaude failed to create, maintain, and retain records sufficiently to identify the ownership of all trust funds. Patneaude failed to maintain trust account records that would provide a complete audit trail and did not properly deposit or handle trust funds.

PAUL D. PERRY (FAYETTEVILLE)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Perry for a period of 12 months, effective August 1, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension following a one-month active period upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Perry & Associates Realty Inc. advertised vacant land on behalf of a purported seller who stated that they resided overseas. Perry & Associates Realty Inc. failed to take reasonable and recommended steps to verify the seller’s identity, leading to the buyer discovering after closing that the sale was fraudulent. Perry failed to review a Working with Real Estate Agent Disclosure with the seller and failed to obtain a signature on the disclosure; Perry failed to review the transaction documents and failed to see that the listing agreement expired prior to the date signed; and Perry failed to ensure that the dual agency authorizations were properly completed. Perry & Associates Realty Inc. acted as dual agent, and Perry purported to act as designated dual agent but failed to obtain written authorization to do so.

PERRY & ASSOCIATES REALTY INC. (FAYETTEVILLE)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Perry & Associates Realty Inc. for a period of 12 months, effective August 1, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Perry & Associates Realty Inc. advertised vacant land on behalf of a purported seller who stated that they resided overseas. Perry & Associates Realty Inc. failed to take reasonable and recommended steps to verify the seller’s identity, leading to the buyer discovering after closing that the sale was fraudulent. Perry failed to review a Working with Real Estate Agent Disclosure with the seller and failed to obtain a signature on the disclosure; Perry failed to review the transaction documents and failed to see that the listing agreement expired prior to the date signed; and Perry failed to ensure that the dual agency authorizations were properly completed. Perry & Associates Realty Inc. acted as dual agent, and Perry purported to act as designated dual agent but failed to obtain written authorization to do so.

TRACY KATHERINE ROWLAND (CONCORD)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Rowland effective September 23, 2026.  The Commission found that Rowland listed residential property for sale equipped with a Generac PWRcell 9 kWh battery storage system and solar panels. In marketing the property, Rowland advertised that the property included a “whole-house generator so they will never be without power.” Rowland, based on her understanding and representations from the homeowner that the system was a ‘generator,’ represented that buyers “will never be without power,” although the duration of backup power provided by the system depends on the home’s electrical demand and the available stored battery capacity.

TRACY ROWLAND REAL ESTATE INC. (CONCORD)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Tracy Rowland Real Estate Inc. effective September 23, 2026.  The Commission found that Tracy Rowland Real Estate Inc. listed residential property for sale equipped with a Generac PWRcell 9 kWh battery storage system and solar panels. In marketing the property, Tracy Rowland Real Estate Inc. advertised that the property included a “whole-house generator so they will never be without power.” Tracy Rowland Real Estate Inc., based on representations made by the homeowner that the system was a ‘generator,’ represented that buyers “will never be without power,” although the duration of backup power provided by the system depends on the home’s electrical demand and the available stored battery capacity.

TRELORA REALTY INC. (LAKEWOOD)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Trelora Realty Inc. effective September 23, 2026.  The Commission found that Trelora Realty Inc. represented a buyer in the purchase of a residential property located approximately 190 miles from Trelora Realty Inc.’s primary service area. Trelora Realty Inc., through its affiliated broker, failed to become competent in the market area or otherwise take reasonable steps necessary to adequately represent and protect the buyer’s interests and fulfill the buyer agency fiduciary duties owed to the buyer.

LORENA TREVINO (RALEIGH)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Trevino for a period of 3 months, effective September 1, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension following a one-month active period upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Trevino was contacted by an individual inquiring about selling his vacant lot. The individual claimed to reside in California and provided a California driver’s license that included a middle initial, whereas no middle name or initial is on public record for the subject property’s true owner. Trevino did not request to communicate with the individual via videoconferencing, did not use public records to verify the seller’s information, and failed to attend firm-sponsored training sessions regarding fake sellers. Trevino entered into an exclusive right to sell listing agreement with the individual and subsequently sold the subject property. The true owner’s general contractor later informed the owner that public records indicated he was no longer the owner of the property, thus notifying the true owner of the transaction.

VACASA NORTH CAROLINA LLC (PORTLAND)- The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Vacasa North Carolina LLC, effective September 30, 2026. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Vacasa North Carolina LLC violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Vacasa North Carolina LLC neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

BENJAMIN ADAM YELM (CHARLOTTE)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Yelm for a period of 12 months and permanently prohibited him from BIC eligibility, effective September 23, 2026. The Commission found that Yelm, while designated as the broker-in-charge of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investments Services of North Carolina, failed to supervise affiliated brokers with respect to adherence to agency agreement and disclosure requirements, failed to supervise unlicensed individuals employed by the office, and allowed Marcus & Millichap to pay a commission to unlicensed individuals.