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Commission Presentations

August 2026 Presentations

Dee Bigelow, Information Officer, spoke at eXp Realty, LLC on August 5th.

Melvin “Skip” Alston, Commission Chair, Mel Black, Commission Member, and Janet Thoren, Executive Director, spoke at Durham Regional Association of REALTORS® on August 10th.

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, spoke at BHHS Carolinas Realty on August 12th.

Brian Heath, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Aldridge & Southerland Inc. on August 18th.

Janet Thoren, Executive Director, spoke at the NC Secretary of State’s Conference, Raising the Standard 2026: A Notary Education Conference on August 25th.

September 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 Coastal Plains Association of REALTORS® on September 3rd.

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

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, will speak at Nest Realty Asheville on September 15th.

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

Jean Hobbs, Auditor/Investigator, will speak at Charlotte NARPM on September 16th.

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

Kristen Fetter, Director of Regulatory Affairs, will speak at Coldwell Banker Advantage on September 30th.

Fair Housing: Did You Know?

Link: https://youtu.be/MdC-c2ZCtSM

Did you know that force or threats of force to interfere with another person’s fair housing rights may be a federal crime?

Under 42 U.S.C. § 3631, Criminal Interference with Right to Fair Housing, it is unlawful for any individual(s), by the use of force or threatened use of force to injure, intimidate, or interfere with (to attempt to injure, intimidate, or interfere with), any person’s housing rights because of that person’s race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Among those housing rights listed in the statute are:

Violations of this federal statute may result in the following penalties:

NOTE: The United States Department of Justice prosecuted a North Carolina man in 2020, for criminal interference with the Fair Housing Act. You can read the press release here.  If you would like more information regarding this statute or to report a possible violation, contact the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.

Tech Corner: Have You Planned for Your Digital Business?

When preparing for the unexpected, most people think about physical assets, insurance policies, or contingency plans for their business. Having a plan in place is essential, as the Commission has previously discussed in its eBulletin article, “What’s Your Plan?”, which highlights Commission Rule 58A .0512 and the importance of preparing for the death or incapacity of a Broker-in-Charge (BIC) or Qualifying Broker (QB).

Most of today’s information exists online, like email accounts and client records. If you were suddenly unable to access your accounts due to an illness, emergency, or other unforeseen event, would someone know how to securely access the information needed to help manage your business?

Taking time to organize your digital assets can help protect your clients, your business, and your important records.

What Are Digital Assets? Digital assets include the online accounts, files, and devices you use to conduct business every day, such as:

Create an Inventory: Start by making an inventory of your important digital accounts. Your inventory doesn’t need to include passwords, but it should identify:

Use a Password Manager: Rather than storing passwords in notebooks, spreadsheets, or sticky notes, consider using a password manager.

Password managers securely store login credentials, generate strong passwords, and often provide secure emergency access features that allow a trusted individual to access your vault if needed.

Review Shared Access: Some business tools allow you to assign additional administrators or trusted users. If appropriate, review whether another authorized person should have administrative access to critical accounts. Also, remember to remove access promptly when employees or assistants no longer require it.

Keep Your Recovery Information Current: Most online accounts rely on recovery information to regain access if you forget a password or lose a device.

Periodically verify that your:

Don’t Forget Your Devices: Your smartphone may be the key to nearly every account you own. Protect it by:

Plan Ahead: Preparing your digital business doesn’t require creating a complicated emergency plan. It simply means thinking ahead and ensuring that important information can be securely managed if life takes an unexpected turn.

What is Preventing You from Registering for Your CE Course Today?

Would you rather spend the year choosing courses that interest you—or spend the final weeks scrambling to find a course that fits your schedule?

For the 2025–2026 license year, 2,032 North Carolina brokers went inactive because they failed to complete their required CE. Therefore, they lost active status simply because their education requirements were not completed by June 10, 2026, at 11:59PM EST. Don’t let your CE become a last-minute emergency. Take your CE now—and take it early.

Brokers should plan ahead to take their CE courses because completing your CE early allows you to select courses that fit your schedule, interests, and professional goals instead of settling for whatever is available at the last minute, which may induce stress. Life is unpredictable, but your CE deadline is not. You can control when you register for your CE courses.

Therefore, take a few minutes today to find a course, register, and put it on your calendar. Your future self will thank you—and you can avoid becoming one of the brokers who discovers too late that an unfinished CE requirement can have real consequences. Moreover, CE courses are offered in a variety of formats, which makes it easier to find an option that fits your schedule and learning preferences.

Are you looking for an in-person or “live-online” CE course?

  1. Visit www.ncrec.gov.
  2. Select Education.
  3. Choose Search CE Course Schedules.
  4. Select Search Providers to view scheduled courses.
  5. Refine your search by provider, instructor, or city.
  6. Contact the education provider directly to register.

Do you prefer a self-paced, online elective course?

  1. Visit www.ncrec.gov.
  2. Select Education.
  3. Choose List of Distance CE Providers.
  4. Review the providers offering self-paced elective courses.
  5. Contact the provider directly to register.

If you have any questions and/or comments about your CE requirements, please visit the Commissions Support page.

Can a seller verbally accept an offer?

Link: https://youtu.be/FwKKkrtv1Kw

In North Carolina, a verbal or “oral” acceptance of a real estate offer does not create an enforceable contract. To satisfy the Statute of Frauds and create a binding real estate sales contract, there must be a written agreement signed by all parties, and the fact that all parties have signed must be communicated to the party against whom enforcement is sought. Until all of these requirements have been satisfied, there is no contract.

This distinction is important because Commission investigations sometimes reveal brokers telling buyers, sellers, or other brokers that a seller has “verbally accepted” an offer or that the parties have a “verbal agreement.” Brokers should never use these terms. These statements are misleading and inappropriate because they may cause someone to believe a binding contract exists when it does not. When a seller says, “I accept that offer,” the seller is really just expressing a willingness to accept the offer. This statement is NOT the same as legally accepting the offer.

Would you like to learn more about offers and acceptances? Review the Commission publications, When Does an Offer Become a Contract and Questions and Answers on: Offer and Acceptance.

Announcement: The Commission names new Director of Regulatory Affairs

Kristen Fetter was named the Director of Regulatory Affairs for the North Carolina Real Estate Commission in August 2026. Ms. Fetter graduated from North Carolina State University with degrees in Political Science and Spanish Language and Literature. She received her law degree from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 2006.

Since graduating from law school, Kristen has spent the majority of her career working in the court system. Kristen was the Trial Court Administrator in Wake County for 3 years. She served as a criminal prosecutor for nearly 12 years and is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, Arizona, and Virginia. Kristen joined the Commission’s Regulatory Affairs staff in November 2021.

As the Director of Regulatory Affairs, Kristen is responsible for overseeing all legal activities of the division, including providing legal advice and opinions to the Commission on matters related to its regulatory authority and representing the Commission in litigation.

Tech Corner: Think Before You Connect

Real estate licensees often have the flexibility to work anywhere. Whether you’re responding to emails from a coffee shop, reviewing documents on vacation, or sending contracts between appointments, public Wi-Fi can be a convenient way to stay connected. But convenience can come with risks.

Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making it easier for cybercriminals to intercept information transmitted over the network. If you’re accessing your email, cloud storage, transaction management platform, or other business accounts while connected to these networks, sensitive client information could be exposed without proper precautions.

One way to add an extra layer of protection is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it much more difficult for others on the same network to view the information you’re sending or receiving. While a VPN does not eliminate every cybersecurity risk, it can significantly improve your security when using public Wi-Fi. Many VPN services are inexpensive, easy to install, and work automatically once enabled, making them a worthwhile investment for brokers who frequently work on the go.

One of the safest options is to use your mobile phone’s personal hotspot instead of connecting to public Wi-Fi. Because your hotspot uses your cellular network, it generally provides a more secure connection than a public Wi-Fi network.

If using public Wi-Fi is your only option, avoid accessing accounts that contain confidential or financial information unless you’re using a trusted VPN. Whenever possible, wait until you’re connected to a secure network before logging into your brokerage’s transaction platform, opening client files, or sending documents that contain personal information. Make sure your devices are set to connect only to networks you choose, rather than automatically joining available Wi-Fi networks.

It’s a good idea to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts. Even if someone obtains your password, MFA provides an additional layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification.

Technology allows brokers to serve clients from virtually anywhere, but mobility should never come at the expense of security. Taking a few simple precautions when connecting can help safeguard client information, protect your business, and reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

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

The Legislative Updates Brokers Need to Know

Two key pieces of legislation were recently enacted that affect real estate brokerage in North Carolina.   

The North Carolina Farmland and Military Protection Act, restricts certain prohibited foreign parties from purchasing, acquiring, leasing, or holding a direct interest in agricultural land or land within a 50-mile radius of a military installation.  The list of prohibited foreign parties, as determined by the U.S. Department of State, is contained in  The International Traffic in Arms Regulation.  This list can change as there are shifts to foreign policy and/or changes to national security threats.  Though the law was enacted on July 7, 2026, the restrictions will not take effect until April 1, 2027.  Under this new law, a buyer of affected land is required to provide an affidavit, no later than the time of closing, attesting that the buyer is not a prohibited foreign party and is otherwise in compliance with the law.   The Commission has been directed to create a form for the affidavit that will be attested to by the buyer.  The law also requires that the Commission, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, develop a map that identifies affected land within a 50-mile radius of a military installation and maintain the map on the Commission website.  The form and map will be available by April 1, 2027, at www.ncrec.gov.

The Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2026 was also signed into law on July 7, 2026.  In addition to establishing the State’s budget, the law transformed who makes appointments of Commission members.  There are nine members appointed to serve on the Commission.  Prior to the passage of this Act, seven members were appointed by the Governor and two were appointed by the General Assembly (one upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and one upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives).  The allocation of appointments has changed as follows:  two members appointed by the Governor, four appointed by the General Assembly (two upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and two upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives), one by the State Auditor, and two by the Commissioner of Labor.  The law phases in the changes to appointments in chronological order of the expiration of current members.       

For questions related to these recent legislative changes, contact the Regulatory Affairs Division at (919) 719-9180.

Disciplinary Actions

JOY AUTEN (BELMONT)- The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Auten, effective July 15, 2026. The Commission dismissed, without prejudice, allegations that Auten violated the provisions of the Real Estate License Law and the Commission Rules. Auten neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

KIMBERLY CONEN (CHAPEL HILL)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Conen for a period of 12 months, effective February 18, 2026.The Commission found that Conen scheduled a showing appointment for her buyer client at an occupied listing. On the day of the showing, Conen provided her client with the lockbox code for the property. The buyer used the lockbox code to gain entry to the property without Conen present.

CRAIG DAUGHERTY (CORNELIUS)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Daugherty effective July 31, 2026.  The Commission found that Daugherty, as the Broker-in-Charge for Fathom Realty NC LLC, allowed the firm to advertise a property for sale without the written permission of the true owner of the property. 

KAREN DEFELICE (CHARLOTTE)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of DeFelice for a period of 12 months, effective July 1, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that DeFelice acted as the listing agent for a property that was subject to a Homeowners Association (hereinafter “HOA”). During the transaction, the buyer’s agent inquired as to whether the HOA imposed any rental restrictions. DeFelice misrepresented that there were no rental restrictions. After the transaction closed, the buyer discovered that the HOA did, in fact, impose rental restrictions, including a cap. It was further determined that the HOA’s rental restrictions were readily accessible on the HOA’s website. DeFelice failed to make reasonable efforts to verify the accuracy of her representation regarding the existence of rental restrictions before making that representation.

FATHOM REALTY NC LLC (CARY)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Fathom Realty NC LLC, effective July 31, 2026.  The Commission found that Fathom Realty NC LLC advertised a property for sale without the written permission of the true owner.

XUEYING LI (LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Li for a period of 24 months, effective June 1, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension following a two-month active period upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Li acted as a buyer agent on behalf of an investor entity of which she is the organizer and president. In multiple transactions, Li failed to deliver due diligence fees in a timely manner, terminated contracts based on inspections without paying the fees, and indicated on offer forms that Residential Property and Owners Association Disclosure Statements were not provided, although listing agents made them available on Multiple Listing Service sites to which Li had access. Li failed to use her name as listed on her broker license in documentation and advertising. Li failed to provide all requested documents upon request by Commission staff. Li paid the previously unpaid due diligence fees.

RAGHAVA NALAMADA (CARY)- Following a hearing, the Commission revoked Nalamada’s broker license, effective April 27, 2026, with no right to reapply for three years. The Commission found that, as a qualifying broker and broker-in-charge of RTP Properties NC, Inc., Nalamada commingled trust and operating funds, used trust funds for firm expenses, failed to designate trust accounts, failed to maintain required trust account records, monthly three-way reconciliations, and an adequate audit trail, and failed to properly account for client funds, resulting in trust account shortages exceeding $177,000. The Commission also found that, in approximately 55 of 57 sales transactions, Nalamada failed to timely execute buyer agency agreements and provide the Working With Real Estate Agents disclosure as required and failed to ensure the firm’s compliance with Commission trust account and agency requirements.

RTP PROPERTIES NC INC. (CARY)- Following a hearing, the Commission permanently revoked RTP Properties NC, Inc.’s firm license, effective May 1, 2026. The Commission found that RTP Properties NC, Inc. commingled trust and operating funds, used trust funds for firm expenses, failed to designate trust accounts, failed to maintain required trust account records, monthly three-way reconciliations, and an adequate audit trail, and failed to properly account for client funds, resulting in trust account shortages exceeding $177,000. The Commission also found that, in approximately 55 of 57 sales transactions, RTP Properties NC, Inc. failed to timely execute buyer agency agreements and provide the Working with Real Estate Agents disclosure as required.

PAMELA SABO (MARSHALL)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Sabo, effective July 31, 2026.  The Commission found that Sabo was contacted by a fraudster who asked her to sell a parcel of vacant land on his behalf.  Sabo failed to verify the fraudster’s identity and listed the property for sale for 2 days before discovering the scam, at which point the listing was removed. 

JOHN SPRINGSTEED (CHARLOTTE)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Springsteed for a period of 24 months, effective December 17, 2025. The Commission found that Springsteed listed a property on behalf of his seller clients. During the course of representation, Springsteed submitted his own offers to purchase the property without advising his seller clients of the potential conflict of interest, their right to terminate the listing agreement, or their right to seek independent counsel from a private attorney or another licensed broker. Springsteed did not terminate the listing agreement despite his seller clients’ requests. While the sellers were under contract with another buyer, Springsteed disclosed confidential information about the terms of the pending contract with another potential buyer without the parties’ consent.

DENISE WILSON (HARRISBURG) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Wilson, effective July 31, 2026.  The Commission found that Wilson was contacted by a fraudster who asked her to sell a vacant lot on his behalf.  Wilson failed to conduct sufficient due diligence to determine whether the fraudster was the true owner of the property and to ascertain whether the fraudster had advertised the property for sale. The property went under contract and was sold.