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Disciplinary Actions

JERRY CLAYTON VASSEY (CHARLOTTE) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Mr. Vassey effective April 15, 2020. The Commission found that Mr. Vassey, as the broker-in-charge of a firm, failed to supervise two Provisional Brokers who acted as co-listing agents where they failed to disclose material facts to subsequent buyers after receiving home inspection reports from two previous buyers who terminated their contracts on the subject property.

Appearances

Steve Fussell, Chief Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at NARPM Crystal Coast Chapter Meeting on May 18.

Dee Bigelow, Information Officer, spoke at Greenidge Realty’s Various Topics Meeting on May 18.

Fred Moreno, Chief Deputy Legal Counsel, spoke at the Women’s Council of REALTORS Crystal Coast’s Professional Development Series on May 19.

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!!

Have you gotten the calls about your car warranty or computer security? How about receiving an email or text message from someone who appears to be someone you actually know, but in fact is not? We’ve heard about wire fraud and all know at least one story where a client has either potentially or actually sent their funds to a scammer. 

The Commission has learned of a recent scam where the scammer called the licensee pretending to be a law enforcement officer with an arrest warrant for the licensee for failing to appear at a hearing related to the licensee’s client. The caller knew enough about the licensee’s business and personal information to appear legitimate and then strongly encouraged the licensee to pay “bail” online rather than face actual arrest. These scammers may gather information about you, your clients, and your family from various online sources or actual hacking of emails 

When you become a licensee you often begin your quest to find clients. This quest entails putting your contact information out for public access. It’s like going fishing with a big net. You throw out the net hoping to catch all the big, prime fish but when you pull it in it also has boards, boots, tires and jellyfish. Putting your contact info out there invites attention, some of which may be unwanted. Note that the Commission requires licensees to provide an email address to allow the Commission to communicate and deliver important information. The licensee may choose to designate a private email address which is not a public record and is not made available to third parties.

Awareness is your best defense. A caller may appear legitimate. A conman’s job is to gain your trust or to put you in enough of a panic that you do whatever they say. Any unsolicited calls where the caller requests money, confidential information, control of your computer, or access to an account, especially under threat of duress, should always be met with skepticism. Be aware – your net may catch some unwanted attention. Always check out the source of the call to make sure it’s legitimate and don’t be caught off guard. Don’t panic. Take your time, take a breath, and think the situation through before providing what the caller wants. As the Sarge said in Hill Street Blues, “Let’s be careful out there.”

NORTH CAROLINA REAL ESTATE COMMISSION COMMITMENT TO RACIAL EQUITY

The recent deaths of numerous persons of color in our nation have awakened many of us to racial inequities which have always been present but not widely considered or discussed. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission members and staff remain deeply troubled by these senseless losses and the many inequities faced by persons of color. These ongoing events, and the resulting protests, have affected all of us, have made us think and question our own actions and reactions, and have shown the importance of compassionate and open discussion about issues of racial equity. The Commission welcomes the resulting discussions and changes that have begun and will continue in our community and nation.

Those involved in real estate brokerage are a diverse community. The Commission is committed to the principles of excellence, fairness, and respect for all people. It is our goal to ensure that brokerage activities are conducted in fairness to all, to ensure equal housing opportunities, and to end discrimination in the sale or rental of all real estate. Everyone should feel safe in their communities and should feel and be free from discrimination.

We stand with those who seek equal justice for all and will do our part to encourage and support our community in making necessary changes to make sure racism and disregard for the dignity of people of color become a part of our history and not our present. We vow to listen, learn, and work with others to promote equality, inclusion, and acceptance.

The Commission is committed to examining its rules to ensure that they address discriminatory conduct by licensees in the real estate profession and to being a leader in moving the profession forward. To that end, in the past year, the Commission has

Please continue to help us better understand the experiences you have faced as a real estate broker or consumer around racism or other discrimination in any real estate related activities by contacting us and/or filing a complaint. We cannot stress enough the importance of providing us with this information. Suggest a Rule Change / File a Complaint

License Renewal Period is May 15-June 30

Be sure to renew your license, even if you haven’t completed CE. If you do not renew by June 30, your license will expire.

Following are the most frequently-asked questions regarding license renewal. 

When do I renew?

The annual period for renewal of your real estate license begins at midnight on May 15 and continues until 11:59pm on June 30.

How do I renew?

  1. Go the Commission’s homepage, www.ncrec.gov.
  2. Click on Renew My Broker License.
  3. Enter your license number and PIN (password). Your PIN will be the last four digits of your Social Security number unless you have changed it.
  4. Verify your contact information, and update information if needed.
  5. Provide the “Employee Misclassification” disclosure and certification.
  6. If you are a Broker-in-Charge, you will be required to disclose information regarding your trust account(s) and any criminal convictions or disciplinary actions that have occurred within the previous year, if applicable.
  7. Pay the $45 renewal fee by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or PayPal.

How much is the renewal fee?

The renewal fee is $45.00. You may pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or PayPal.

Will I get a receipt?

Yes. A printable confirmation of renewal will appear on your screen when the process is complete.

Will the Commission mail me a new pocket card?

No. A link to download your new digital pocket card will appear on your screen when the process is complete. You may print a copy of the pocket card if you prefer to have a paper copy.

I haven’t completed CE, yet. Can I still renew?

Yes. Be sure to renew your license by June 30, even if you do not complete your continuing education by June 10. If you don’t renew, your license will expire.

Can I pay my renewal fee by check?

No. Per Commission Rule 58A .0503, you must renew online.

Can I call the Commission office and pay by phone?

No. Per Commission Rule 58A .0503, you must renew online.

Can I come into the Commission office and pay in person?

The Commission office is currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 crisis. If you have questions about the renewal process, please feel free to email us at ls@ncrec.gov or call us at 919.875.3700.

What will happen if I don’t renew by June 30?

If you do not renew your license online by 11:59pm on June 30, your license will expire. To reinstate an expired license, you must pay a $90 fee between July 1 and December 31. Failure to reinstate the former license by December 31 will result in your having to submit a new application, including application fee and criminal background report. You will also be required to take additional education and/or pass the state license examination. Refer to the “Reinstate your License” page on the Commission’s website (www.ncrec.gov) for detailed information regarding the reinstatement process.

NOTE: If you hold BIC Eligible status and your license expires or changes to inactive status on July 1, you will automatically lose BIC Eligible status and, in turn, BIC designation (if applicable). If that happens, and you wish to regain BIC Eligible status, you must (1) return the license to active status; (2) meet the experience requirements for BIC designation; (3) take the 12-hour Broker-in-Charge Course before re-designation; and (4) complete and submit the Request for BIC Eligible Status and/or Designation form (REC 2.25). Do NOT take the 12- hour BIC Course before your license is on active status! Refer to Rule 58A. 0110 for detailed instructions regarding regaining BIC Eligible status and BIC designation.

Current Stats: Monthly Licensee Count as of April 1, 2021

How to check your CE record

Did you know that you can check your CE record at any time on the Commission’s website?

Your CE record is part of your license record. To access it:

  1. go to www.ncrec.gov;
  2. click on Licensing;
  3. click on Licensee Login;
  4. enter your License Number and your Password (your Password is the last four digits of your SSN if you have not changed it); and
  5. click on Login.

After you log in, you will see the Licensees menu. Click on CE License Information.

At the top of the CE page, you will see “Current Update Hours” followed by a 0 (zero) or a 4 (four). A 4 (four) means you have completed an Update course for the current period. A 0 (zero) means you have NOT yet completed a course, and you need to do so by June 10.

Next, you will see “Current Elective Hours” followed by a 0 (zero) or a 4 (four). A 4 (four) means you have completed an elective course for the current period. A 0 (zero) means you have NOT yet completed a course, and you need to do so by June 10.

Also provided in your CE record is a full listing of the courses you have completed and the dates on which you completed them.

DO YOU HAVE BIC ELIGIBLE STATUS? If so, you need to take the BICUP (rather than the GENUP) course if you wish to maintain BIC Eligible status. To determine whether you have BIC Eligible status, go back to the Licensees menu in your license record. If you see a link for “Print BIC Eligible Document,” then you have BIC Eligible status. If that option does not appear, you do not have BIC Eligible status and must take the GENUP course.

For more information about your license record, contact the Commission’s Education and Licensing Division at 919.875.3700 or ls@ncrec.gov.

Updated Investment Policy – Investment in MDIs

As part of its commitment to racial equity, the Commission has updated its internal Investment Policy to provide that a significant portion of its own funds are deposited in minority-owned depository institutions (MDIs).

MDIs are defined by the FDIC as institutions where (1) 51% or more of the voting stock is owned by minority individuals, or (2) a majority of the board of directors is minority and the community that the institution serves is predominantly minority. Ownership must be by U.S. citizens or permanent legal U.S. residents to be counted in determining minority ownership. The term “minority” is defined as any “Black American, Asian American, Hispanic American or Native American.”

Under the new policy, Commission funds are deposited in U.S. financial institutions where they are either FDIC insured, regulated by the Office of the Controller of Currency or the Federal Reserve, or collateralized in accordance with guidance issued by the NC Department of State Treasurer. This ensures that the funds are protected at all times. The policy sets out target goals for the Commission’s funds, including certain North Carolina institutions and MDIs. The target range for MDIs is 20 – 40 %. In other words, the Commission seeks to keep between 20 and 40% of its funds in minority-owned institutions at all times, with a preference for institutions in North Carolina or the Southeast region.

Appearances

Steve Fussell, Chief Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Weaver Street Realty’s Sales Meeting on April 7.

Sheryl Graham, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Realty Executives of Hickory’s Agent Training on April 8.

Sheryl Graham, Consumer Protection Officer, spoke at Salisbury Rowan Association of REALTORS’s Are You Prepared Panel on April 22.

Disciplinary Actions

CHARLOTTE BAUGHER (Raleigh) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the broker license of Ms. Baugher effective March 17, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Ms. Baugher violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. Ms. Baugher neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

YU PEI CHOOI (Cary) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the broker license of Ms. Chooi effective April 21, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Ms. Chooi violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. Ms. Chooi neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

C MILLER PROPERTIES INC. (Hickory) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the firm license of C. Miller Properties effective March 17, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that C. Miller Properties violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. C. Miller Properties neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

GATEWAY REALTY SERVICES (Cary) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the firm license of Gateway Realty Services effective April 21, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Gateway Realty Services violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. Gateway Realty Services neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

ROBERT C. MILLER (Hickory) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the broker license of Mr. Miller effective March 17, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Mr.  Miller violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. Mr. Miller neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

SANDRA C. MOORE (Hickory) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the broker license of Ms. Moore effective March 17, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Ms. Moore violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. Ms. Moore neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

ANNA M. PAPP (Cary) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the broker license of Ms. Papp effective March 17, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Ms. Papp violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. Ms. Papp neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

BEVERLY D. OSBORNE (Rock Hill, SC) – Following a hearing, the Commission permanently revoked the broker license of Ms. Osborne effective March 16, 2021. The Commission found that Ms. Osborne failed to self-report her South Carolina real estate license revocation and to communicate with Commission staff.

GROVER F SHUGART JR (Winston Salem) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the broker license of Mr. Shugart Jr. effective March 17, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Mr. Shugart violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. Mr. Shugart neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

SHUGART MANAGEMENT (Winston Salem) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the firm license of Shugart Management effective March 17, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Shugart Management violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. Shugart Management neither admitted nor denied misconduct.

OLUREMILAKUR WILLIAMS (Raleigh) – The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of the broker license of Mr. Williams effective April 21, 2021. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Mr. Williams violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission rules. Mr. Williams neither admitted nor denied misconduct.