MICHELLE CONGLETON SMITH (RALEIGH) – The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Smith, effective October 11, 2023. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Smith violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Smith neither admitted nor denied misconduct.
PAULA DIANE CARR (WINSTON SALEM) – The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Carr, effective October 31, 2023. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Carr violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Carr neither admitted nor denied misconduct.
AHMED AZIZ MUSTAFA (RALEIGH) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Mustafa for a period of 12 months, effective October 1, 2023. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Mustafa advertised the subject property as containing four bedrooms and that “every inch” of the subject property had been updated, including electrical and plumbing; however, Mustafa was unable to locate a septic permit for the subject property and failed to disclose this to the buyers prior to the time of offer. Mustafa failed to discover and disclose that the sellers neither obtained required permits nor did they use a licensed general contractor for renovations when required to do so by law.
LUCRETIA P PINNOCK (SOUTHERN PINES) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Pinnock, effective September 15, 2023. The Commission found that Pinnock represented their buyer-client in the purchase of a property for which the MLS listing disclosed the existence of unpermitted bonus room space and later acted as the listing agent for the sale of the same property but failed to disclose the bonus room was unpermitted space. The potential buyer of the subject property terminated their contract after paying a $3,250 due diligence fee and a $550 home inspection fee.
PINNOCK REAL ESTATE & RELOCATION SERVICES INC (SOUTHERN PINES) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded the firm, effective September 15, 2023. The Commission found that the firm represented their buyer-client in the purchase of a property for which the MLS listing disclosed the existence of unpermitted bonus room space and later acted as the listing agent for the sale of the same property but failed to disclose the bonus room was unpermitted space. The potential buyer of the subject property terminated their contract after paying a $3,250 due diligence fee and a $550 home inspection fee.
SUSAN HILL HOOPER (WAYNESVILLE) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Hooper for a period of 12 months, effective October 1, 2023, but stayed the suspension after 1 month upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Hooper represented the sellers of the subject property and advertised the property as having an oil furnace and an oil tank in use, but failed to disclose the presence of a second abandoned tank.
LAFLECHE LEVERT (FAYETTEVILLE) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Levert for a period of 12 months, effective October 1, 2023, but stayed the suspension after 1 month upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Levert acted as listing agent for the subject property in 2021 and advertised it as having a septic system, 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms. The buyers closed but due to a job relocation in 2022, had to sell and learned at that time that the septic system permit is for only 2 bedrooms. Levert failed to timely respond to letters of inquiry within 14 days or provide copies of requested documents.
EVAN MCLAURIN PURSER (RALEIGH) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Purser for a period of 3 years, effective June 1, 2023, but stayed the suspension after 4 months upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Purser, acting as a listing agent, verbally agreed with his client to painting and other improvements to the property. Purser advised the client that a part of his listing fee included the management of contractors and managing timelines for work performed. Emails indicated the client would pay Purser for the cost of the renovations over an unspecified time period. Purser failed to inform the buyer, buyer agent, or closing attorney that there was a debt owed by seller for improvements to the property. After closing, Purser’s renovation company filed a lien against the property for $16,870 and filed a lawsuit against both his client and the buyer. The buyer’s title insurer paid Purser’s company to remove the lien and settle the lawsuit, then filed a lawsuit against Purser’s client for payment of the debt. As part of the Commission’s order, Purser has refunded the title insurer for its payment.
CHAU MINH NGUYEN (GARNER) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Nguyen for a period of 2 years, effective April 19, 2023, but stayed the suspension after 6 months upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Nguyen was licensed by the North Carolina Board of Nursing as a registered nurse. On September 29, 2022, the North Carolina Board of Nursing suspended the nursing license of Nguyen for one year based on the finding that Nguyen stole fentanyl from a locked refrigerator in a hospital in which he was employed as a nurse.
WENDY THOMAS WHITEHEAD (LIBERTY) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Whitehead for a period of 18 months, effective August 1, 2023, but stayed the suspension after 2 months upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Whitehead, acting as the broker-in-charge of Southern Heart Realty LLC, purchased residential property, performed renovations to it, and then listed it for sale through her firm. A licensed electrician was hired to perform some renovation work, while other work was performed by unlicensed persons. One of the renovations consisted of moving the laundry area from one room to another. Whitehead failed to ensure that electrical and plumbing permits were pulled for this work as required by the county. Whitehead failed to occupy the property for 12 months after renovations were completed and failed to disclose the unlicensed contractors or the failure to obtain required permits.
SOUTHERN HEART REALTY LLC (LIBERTY) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of the firm for a period of 18 months, effective August 1, 2023. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety. The Commission found that the firm’s broker-in-charge purchased residential property, performed renovations to it, and then listed it for sale through the firm. A licensed electrician was hired to perform some renovation work, while other work was performed by unlicensed persons. One of the renovations consisted of moving the laundry area from one room to another. The firm failed to verify that electrical and plumbing permits were pulled for this work as required by the county and failed to disclose to the buyers that Whitehead had not occupied the property for 12 months after renovations were completed and that unlicensed contractors performed some of the work and required permits were not obtained.