Disciplinary Actions

JORGE JOSE TIPIANA (Garner) – Following a hearing, The Commission permanently revoked the broker license of Jorge Jose Tipiana effective February 4, 2020. The Commission found that Mr. Tipiana, as the seller of a property he renovated, collected $4000 in due diligence fees from five failed transactions in which Mr. Tipiana repeatedly failed to disclose material facts, including an unpermitted deck, open permits for mechanical and electrical changes, and a sagging structural beam.

JOHNNY E PRATHER (Murphy) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Mr. Prather effective March 10, 2020. The Commission found that Mr. Prather served as the broker-in-charge for a firm where one of its brokers advertised a residential property as having 3,264 square feet. This included a garage area and a “safe room” which were not heated by permanently installed conventional heating systems. Mr. Prather also failed to retain records of sketches, calculations, or other documentation that was used in reliance upon the advertised square footage.

WESTERN CAROLINA REAL ESTATE COMPANY INC. (Murphy) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Western Carolina Real Estate Company Inc. effective March 10, 2020. The Commission found that one of the firm’s brokers advertised a residential property as having 3,264 square feet. This included a garage area and a “safe room” which were not heated by permanently installed conventional heating systems. The Firm also failed to retain records of sketches, calculations, or other documentation that was used in reliance upon the advertised square footage.

NICKY ARNOLD GUTHRIE (Murphy) – By consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Mr. Guthrie for a period of 12 months, effective March 10, 2020. The Commission then stayed the suspension for a probationary period through March 10, 2021. The Commission found that Mr. Guthrie listed a residential property for sale and advertised it as having 3,264 square feet. This included a garage area and a “safe room” which were not heated by permanently installed conventional heating systems. He also failed to retain records of sketches, calculations, or other documentation that he relied upon in determining the square footage and relied on the property tax card.

CARINA SCHOENING WOOLRICH (Murphy) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Ms. Woolrich effective March 10, 2020. The Commission found that Ms. Woolrich acted as a buyer agent in a residential transaction where the subject property was advertised as having 3,264 square feet. Ms. Woolrich, while informing her buyer clients that she believed the square footage being advertised wrongfully included 576 square feet for a garage, failed to suggest to her clients that they have the property professionally measured to determine the actual square footage. Ms. Woolrich also failed to inform the listing agent of the misrepresentation, a best practice standard, as defined under the Commission’s Residential Square Footage Guidelines.

EDWIN LLOYD MATTHIS JR. (Clinton) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Mr. Matthis Jr. for a period of 1 year effective December 1, 2019. In February 2019, Mr. Matthis Jr. self-reported a Misdemeanor Assault on a female conviction more than 60 days following his conviction. He also failed to report two additional convictions, a Misdemeanor Simple Assault from February 2017 and a misdemeanor DV Protective Order Violation from June 2017. Mr. Matthis Jr. also failed to respond to multiple Letters of Inquiry.  

STEPHANIE RAY ANSON (Raleigh) – By consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Ms. Anson for a period of 12 months, effective March 10, 2020. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety. The Commission found that Ms. Anson’s firm listed a residential property for sale and, after going under contract, she received the Home Inspection report, termite report, and repair request via email from the buyer’s agent. Ms. Anson failed to review the documents or go over them with her principal. The termite report noted the presence of subterranean termites with no control measures having been performed along with damaged wood in the crawlspace. The home inspection revealed electrical, plumbing, and structural issues. Soon after the buyer terminated the contract, the subject property went under contract with a subsequent buyer. Ms. Anson failed to disclose the material facts noted in the above reports to this buyer or their agent upon receiving the offer. This buyer terminated the contract after his termite inspection found “extensive termite activity and damage”. Ms. Anson then listed a different residential property for sale and advertised it as a 3-bedroom home as having natural gas heat and being connected to city sewer. After closing, the buyer discovered that the property was on a septic system, which was permitted for two bedrooms, and had propane heat. The seller assisted the buyer in connecting the home to city sewer and the buyer has also converted the heat system to gas.

MEREDITH ANN LUNDBERG (Raleigh) – By consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Ms. Lundberg for a period of 6 months, effective March 10, 2020. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety. The Commission found that Ms. Lundberg’s firm listed a residential property for sale and, after going under contract, she received the Home Inspection report, termite report, and repair request via email from the buyer’s agent. She forwarded the information to her seller client, but failed to review the documents or go over them with her principal. The termite report noted the presence of subterranean termites with no control measures having been performed along with damaged wood in the crawlspace. The home inspection revealed electrical, plumbing, and structural issues. Soon after the buyer terminated the contract, the subject property went under contract with a subsequent buyer. Ms. Lundberg failed to disclose the material facts noted in the above reports to this buyer or their agent upon receiving the offer. This buyer terminated the contract after his termite inspection found “extensive termite activity and damage”.

KEVIN DESHAWN MORGAN (Durham) – By consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Mr. Morgan for a period of 2 years, effective August 1, 2019. The Commission then stayed the remaining 1 year after a 1 year active suspension period, effective August 1, 2020. The Commission found that in September 2018, Mr. Morgan, acting as a buyer agent, falsified the signatures and initials of the buyers he represented on an “Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement”, “Working with Real Estate Agents” brochure, and an “Offer To Purchase and Contract” in a residential sales transaction. Mr. Morgan conducted this real estate transaction with an inactive license after receiving notice from the Commission and a warning from his broker-in-charge, and failed to provide the transaction documents to his firm.

JANE ELLEN GOEBEL (Murphy) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Ms. Goebel effective June 3, 2020. The Commission found that Ms. Goebel acted as a buyer agent in a residential purchase transaction.  She failed to forward the property disclosure form for the subject property to her buyer clients until after the due diligence period expired. The seller indicated on the disclosure form that the subject property was located on a private road/street and that no maintenance agreement existed. The buyers terminated the contract when they discovered that they would be responsible for the maintenance of the private road/street.

MAXWELL LOUIS GOEBEL (Murphy) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Mr. Goebel effective June 3, 2020. The Commission found that Mr. Goebel acted as a buyer agent in a residential purchase transaction.  He failed to forward the property disclosure form for the subject property to his buyer clients until after the due diligence period expired. The seller indicated on the disclosure form that the subject property was located on a private road/street and that no maintenance agreement existed. The buyers terminated the contract when they discovered that they would be responsible for the maintenance of the private road/street.