License Renewal Fee

With February coming to an end, the Commission is already preparing for the annual license renewal period beginning May 15 and ending June 30, 2026.

This year, the annual renewal fee will be $50, an increase of $5. The Commission last raised the renewal fee in 2014.

During the renewal process, don’t forget that every broker must provide the Commission an email address for Commission communications, with the option to designate their email address as private in their Licensee Login.

Additionally, brokers-in-charge (BIC) are required to:

• disclose the federally insured depository institution(s) lawfully doing business in the State where the trust accounts for the BIC or the entity for which the BIC is designated is held, if applicable, and
• report any criminal convictions or occupational license disciplinary actions that occurred within the previous year.

NOTE: If you would like more information on how to designate your email address as private, please read the article, “How to Designate My Email Address as Private.”

Continuing Education Reminder

Link: https://youtu.be/GEFXaygyh9w

Script: Have you completed your continuing education (CE) for 2025-2026 yet? Did you know that approximately 30% of active brokers who are required to take CE have already met their 8-hour educational requirement for this license year?

Don’t forget that CE is due by June 10, 2026, and your license must be renewed by June 30,  2026, to remain on active status for the 2026-2027 license year. Remember, completing your CE early keeps you informed on current License Law and Commission rules.

Keep in mind that brokers who wait until the final weeks to complete CE may run the risk of limited class availability and scheduling conflicts.

You can find available CE courses on the Commission’s website.

If you have not registered yet, do so TODAY!

2026 Spring Educators Conference

Are you a North Carolina real estate instructor? Have you registered for the Commission’s 2026 Spring Educator’s Conference?

You do not want to miss your chance to attend this year’s conference. It will provide you with a direct flight to timely License Law and Commission rule updates, exam security, and commonly alleged education rule violations that are investigated by Regulatory Affairs.  

The registration fee is $100 and includes breakfast, break service, and lunch. Also, did you know that approved instructors who attend the full conference receive 6 hours of instructor development credit?

Space is limited to 250 educators, and fees are non-refundable. You should register now on the Commission’s website before seats are SOLD OUT!

Tech Corner

Cloud storage platforms make it easy to manage transaction files from anywhere, but convenience does not replace compliance.

According to Rule 58A .0108, brokers shall retain records of:

• all sales, rental, and other transactions conducted in their brokerage capacity,
• whether the transactions are pending, completed, or terminated.

This Rule mandates that all brokers are responsible for retaining transactional files and documents related to their brokerage activity.  The record retention requirements apply:

• from the inception of the agency relationship;
• while the transaction is pending;
• when the transaction is consummated; or
• after the agency agreement is terminated.

The Commission acknowledges that brokers may want to electronically store their records and cloud storage platforms can be an effective compliance tool for brokerages. However, brokers should ensure transaction documents/files are retained and BICs should have clear written policies addressing access to cloud storage platforms, file security, and the accessibility of records if a broker’s affiliation with the BIC is terminated.

Takin time to evaluate your digital record retention practices now can help ensure your record retention is in compliance with License Law and Commission Rule 58A .0108.

NOTE: Rule 58A. 0108(c) indicates that all records must be made available for inspection and reproduction by the Commission or its authorized representative without prior notice.

Commission Presentations

February 2026 Presentations

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

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, spoke at Real Broker LLC on February 4^th.

Janet Thoren, Director of Regulatory Affairs, spoke at the North Carolina Department of Justice event, Consumer Confidence 101: Your Guide to Home Buying, on February 5^th.

Jean Hobbs, Auditor/Investigator, spoke at Coldwell Banker HPW Midtown Office on February 6^th.

Beau Minnick, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at True North Realty on February 11^th.

Bill Aceto, Commission Chair, and Mel Black, Commission member, spoke at the High Country Association of REALTORS® on February 12^th. Janet Thoren, Legal Counsel, attended the event.

Miriam Baer, Executive Director, spoke at Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® on February 19^th.

Bill Aceto, Commission Chair, Jean Hobbs, Auditor/Investigator, and Brian Heath, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at North Carolina Property Management Conference on February 24^th and 25^th. Kristen Fetter, Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs, attended the event.

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, spoke at Centruy 21 The Realty Group on February 25, 2026.

Diana Jasany, Communications Officer, spoke at Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston on February 26^th.

Tiffany Ross, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Wilson Community College on February 26^th.

Tiffany Ross, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Hunt High School on February 27^th.

March 2026 Presentations

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

Bruce Rinne, Information Officer, will speak at Lantern Realty and Development on March 4, 2026.

Len Elder Director of Education and Licensing, and Kizzy Crawford Heath, Assistant Director of Education and Licensing, will speak at Durham Regional Association of REALTORS® on March 12^th.

Disciplinary Actions

ALLISON & WHITE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & REALTY LLC (HICKORY)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Allison & White Property Management & Realty LLC for a period of 6 months, effective March 1, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Allison & White Property Management & Realty failed to deposit a pre-paid rent check into their trust account within three (3) banking days and failed to enter the payment on the tenant ledger. Instead, the pre-paid rent was deposited into Allison & White Property Management & Realty’s general operating account. When management transferred, Allison & White Property Management & Realty failed to remit the pre-paid rent to the new management company, causing the tenant’s rent to be late. The tenant accrued late fees and attorney’s fees as a result of Allison & White Property Management & Realty’s failure to timely deposit her check and properly account for the receipt of her pre-paid rent.

VICTORIA DAVIS (BURLINGTON)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Davis for a period of 12 months and withdrew Davis’s education provider and instructor approval with no right to reapply for 3 years, effective February 1, 2026. The Commission then stayed the license suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that after Davis’s pre-licensing student failed an end of course exam for the third time, Davis agreed to pass the student anyway but requested they wait 30 days to take the State exam. Davis reported the student as passing the course but did not issue them a course completion certificate. The student took the State exam within 30 days and failed. Davis texted the student using unprofessional language and admitted that they requested the student delay the State exam to protect Davis’s pass rate.

EQUITY NORTH CAROLINA REAL ESTATE LLC (MATTHEWS)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Equity North Carolina Real Estate LLC, effective February 18, 2026.  The Commission found that Equity North Carolina Real Estate LLC was hired to manage rental properties on behalf of its owner-client. Equity North Carolina Real Estate LLC’s qualifying broker, who is also the designated broker-in-charge, allowed a tenant to move into one of the rentals without executing a lease agreement. The tenant sent the security deposit and rent to Equity North Carolina Real Estate LLC, which were not disbursed for a period of six (6) months. After the owner-client terminated the property management agreement, the security deposits and rents were provided to the owner-client.

AMY GARCIA (OAK ISLAND)- The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Garcia, effective February 18, 2026. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Garcia violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Garcia neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

PAMELA LOWDER (WINSTON SALEM)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Lowder for a period of 12 months, effectiveFebruary 15, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Lowder listed residential property for sale and provided their seller-client a Residential Property and Owners Association Disclosure Statement (“RPOADS”) to fill out. The seller answered both “No” and “No Representation” to every question on the form but Lowder failed to instruct the seller on correcting the form. Lowder received copies of a home inspection report and elevated radon report from a buyer who later terminated the contract for unrelated reasons. Lowder failed to have the seller update the RPOAds prior to the second transaction and failed to provide copies or otherwise disclose material issues from the home inspection and radon report to two subsequent buyers.

LOWDER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC (WINSTON SALEM)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Lowder Property Management LLC for a period of 12 months, effectiveFebruary 15, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Lowder Property Management LLC listed residential property for sale and provided their seller-client a Residential Property and Owners Association Disclosure Statement (“RPOADS”) to fill out. The seller answered both “No” and “No Representation” to every question on the form but the listing agent failed to instruct the seller on correcting the form. The listing agent received copies of a home inspection report and elevated radon report from a buyer who later terminated the contract for unrelated reasons. The listing agent failed to have the seller update the RPOAds prior to the second transaction and failed to provide copies or otherwise disclose material issues from the home inspection and radon report to two subsequent buyers.

SALTY CAROLINA VIBES REALTY (OAK ISLAND)- The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Salty Carolina Vibes Realty, effective February 18, 2026. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Salty Carolina Vibes Realty violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Salty Carolina Vibes Realty neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

RENUKA TUMMALA (NEW HILL)- The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Tummala, effective February 18, 2026. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Tummala violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Tummala neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

MELISSA VALLE QUINTERO (RALEIGH)- By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Valle Quintero effective March 1, 2026.  The Commission found that Valle Quintero represented a buyer client in the purchase of a residential property that included a mobile home with an apartment above a garage. Before submitting the buyer client’s offer, Valle Quintero learned from the listing agent that the apartment space was unpermitted. Valle Quintero informed her buyer client that the space was unpermitted and not considered livable but did not further explain the potential resale implications of unpermitted space. Valle Quintero informed the buyer client that unpermitted additions may not be to code but failed to discuss further risks. Valle Quintero also failed to verify whether the property was located on a public or private street, instead relying on information from the listing.

FRANK VERDI II (GIBSONVILLE)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Verdi for a period of 12 months, effective January 5, 2026.  The Commission then stayed the suspension following a one-month active period upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Verdi entered into an Alford plea on the felony charges of uttering a forged instrument and obtaining property by false pretenses. Verdi maintained that the seller of a home gave him a blank check for the installation of hardwood floors and asked him to fill it out. Verdi made the blank check payable to himself for $ 1,650, signed his own name on the check, cashed the check, and paid the flooring vendor in cash.

PAMELA WHITE (HICKORY)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of White for a period of 6 months, effective March 1, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that as broker-in-charge for Allison & White Property Management & Realty, White failed, within a reasonable period of time, to account for and to remit money coming into White’s possession which belonged to others. White failed to deposit a pre-paid rent payment within three (3) banking days and failed to remit those funds upon transfer of management to either the owner or the new management company. White deposited the rent check more than three (3) months after receipt, and the check was deposited into Allison & White Property Management & Realty’s operating account and not a trust account.

TYLER WILCOX (MAIDEN)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Wilcox for a period of 6 months, effective March 1, 2026. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Wilcox acted as the listing agent for a residential property, which went under contract with a buyer. The buyer terminated after the wood-destroying insect report (“WDIR”) revealed termite damage, and the home inspection discovered extensive termite damage and evidence of a prior fire. The home inspection revealed more extensive termite damage than the WDIR detailed. Wilcox received a copy of the buyer’s home inspection report and WDIR from the buyer’s agent. Wilcox shared the WDIR with potential buyers; however, Wilcox failed to disclose the extent of the termite damage and prior fire to the subsequent buyer before an offer was made.

JERRY WOJENSKI (HUNTERSVILLE)- By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Wojenski for a period of 12 months, effective December 17, 2025. The Commission then stayed the suspension following a two-month active period upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Wojenski, while the Qualifying Broker and Broker-in-Charge of NDG Student Living LLC, a licensed real estate firm, accepted payments from tenants without maintaining a trust account or following any trust accounting rules, offered a referral fee to non-licensed tenants, and failed to have the required anti-discrimination language in his property management agreement.

January Fair Housing Correction

In January’s Fair Housing Bulletin article, we discussed some of the key differences between service animals and emotional support animals. The article contained an error in the information related to emotional support animals.  We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Here is the link to the revised article: NCREC Bulletins.

February Fair Housing Article

Fair housing compliance isn’t just about avoiding blatant discrimination. Many violations happen unintentionally—through everyday habits, outdated practices, or even well-meaning attempts to “help”. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects people from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. It’s essential that real estate professionals consider how their words or actions affect these protected classes and take the necessary precautions to avoid fair housing violations.

Highlighted below are a few areas that can cause unintentional trouble: advertising, steering, and screening. Each one seems harmless on the surface, but the consequences can be serious.

Advertising

The words used in ads—online, on flyers, or even in social media posts—can unintentionally signal preference for or against certain groups. The law doesn’t require intent to discriminate; the effect of the language is what matters. Some problematic phrases commonly used include, but are not limited to:

• “Perfect for singles or young professionals”- suggests families with children aren’t welcome.
• “Quiet Christian neighborhood”- implies a religious preference.
• “No kids” or “Adults only”- directly violates protections for families with children.
• “Ideal for women” or “female preferred.” Unless it’s a shared living situation with a common bathroom, this may be discriminatory.
• “English speakers only”- can be considered national origin discrimination.

Even subtle wording can discourage protected groups from applying. Fair housing enforcement agencies often review ads for these cues, and complaints can arise simply from the language used. Good advertising practices focus on the property and highlight or describe its features, amenities, and policies in a neutral manner.

Steering

Steering is the practice of intentionally or unintentionally guiding people toward or away from certain units, buildings, or neighborhoods based on protected characteristics. Some problematic practices commonly used include, but are not limited to:

• telling people they might feel more comfortable in a different neighborhood,
• directing people toward or away from certain neighborhoods or buildings based on protected characteristics, and/or
• providing tours of certain properties only to specific groups, or withholding options from others based on protected characteristics.

Even if you believe you’re being helpful, making assumptions may limit a person’s choices and violate fair housing laws. You should present all available properties that meet the needs of the buyer/tenant, communicating information neutrally.

Screening

Screening is most commonly used in the property management space and is the process landlords and property managers use to evaluate rental applicants before offering a lease. Some best practices to implement in your tenant screening process include, but are not limited to:

• create a written policy, which is reviewed and updated regularly, that is uniformly applied,
• treat every applicant the same from start to finish; consistency is your best protection,
• stick to the facts, not personal impressions, or opinions,
• always be neutral,
• document everything ,
• conduct regular staff training, and
• when in doubt, seek legal counsel.

Tech Corner

Your online presence is often the first impression you make before a phone call or in-person meeting. Protecting your digital footprint isn’t just about privacy; it’s about professionalism, trust, and consumer confidence. Here are a few key strategies to help you manage your online reputation while maintaining compliance and credibility.

1. Vet Your Social Media

Take time to review all your social media profiles, including posts from years ago. Tastes, humor, and personal opinions change over time, and something you shared years back could now send the wrong message to potential clients.

Ask yourself:

• Does this post reflect the professional I am today?
• Could this be misinterpreted by clients or the public?

If the answer is no, or if you’re unsure, consider deleting, archiving, or adjusting your privacy settings.

2. Keep Business and Personal Separate

Using a business account for personal use (or vice versa) can blur the lines between your personal life and professional responsibilities. This crossover can lead to compliance challenges and unwanted visibility into your private activities.
Best practice:

• Maintain separate accounts for business and personal use.
• Use your business account strictly for real estate content and client communications.
• Limit who can post tagged content, photos, or comments that appear on your business page.

3. Search Yourself, What Do Others See?

Here’s a simple but powerful habit: Google your name regularly.
When you type your name into a search engine:

• What appears on the first page?
• Are your profiles professional and consistent?
• Do the images and public posts represent the agent you want clients to see?

If these search results don’t align with the reputation you want to build, take action. Update your profiles, remove outdated content, and use titles, photos, and bios that reflect your current professional brand.

4. Think Before You Post

Every comment, photo, or share contributes to your digital footprint. Before posting anything online:

• ask whether the content supports your professional image,
• consider how it might be interpreted by clients, prospects, or colleagues, and
• remember, even deleted content can sometimes be archived or screenshotted.

Importantly, Rule 58A .0120(d) prohibits a broker from conducting brokerage activities or promoting their status as a real estate broker in any manner that discriminates based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability. Seemingly casual posts, memes, or comments, especially when tied to your professional identity, can unintentionally raise fair housing concerns.

Regulatory Affairs

Stick Built vs. Modular and Manufactured Homes vs. Personal Property: What’s the Difference?

A stick-built or sometimes called a site-built home is constructed piece-by-piece on the land where it will stand permanently.  This type of construction requires a general contractor to oversee the building process. It uses wood framing or wood lumber for the structure. The foundation is built first, then framing, walls, roof and finishes respectively.  This is the most common and traditional method for building a home. The benefit of constructing a stick-built home is that a homeowner can personalize every aspect and can monitor the construction. In addition, the buyer can more easily secure conventional, FHA, VA or USDA financing.

Modular home construction is gaining popularity, so it is important to understand what it is. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, stick-built homes are not necessarily better than modular homes, despite the stigma sometimes associated with their assembly-line origin. 

Modular homes are residences constructed entirely in factories and transported to their permanent site on flatbed trucks. They are built under controlled conditions and must meet strict quality control requirements before they are delivered. Weather conditions typically do not cause delays in construction and therefore, modular homes may be built more quickly than stick-built homes. They arrive in segments and are assembled, using cranes, into homes that are almost indistinguishable from stick-built. Like stick-built homes, modular homes can be easy to finance  once they are on a permanent foundation. However, there may be some lenders who choose not to finance modular homes.

A manufactured home, sometimes referred to as a mobile home or trailer, starts out as personal property. Manufactured homes are also constructed in factories and are formed atop a metal chassis with its own wheels. They are then towed and delivered by a truck to their home site. These homes normally only abide by Federal HUD building codes rather than local building code and aren’t considered a permanent structure. Indeed, manufactured homes typically aren’t considered real property and are titled as personal property the same way a car or boat would be titled. They are less expensive than modular homes and can be moved in the future.

However, manufactured homes can become real property by permanently affixing them to the land and filing specific paperwork with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. When listing a manufactured home, it is vital that a broker asks questions of the seller and reviews the tax card to determine if the home has become real property.