JESSE BURGER (SPRING LAKE) – The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the temporary real estate license of Burger, effective February 14, 2024. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Burger violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Burger neither admitted nor denied misconduct.
CHASITY ANN DEBARBER (JACKSONVILLE) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded Debarber, effective February 1, 2024. The Commission found that Debarber, acting as the broker-in-charge of Roga LLC, advertised properties on social media for rent by others without obtaining written permission.
ZONDRA DENISE HALL (FAYETTEVILLE) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Hall for a period of 12 months, effective February 1, 2024, but stayed the suspension after 1 month upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Hall purchased a property in the name of Hall’s LLC and made renovations and additions to the property. Hall listed and advertised the property as connected to city sewer. Following closing, the buyer learned that the property was not connected to city sewer. Hall was notified and connected the property to city sewer. Hall failed to verify that a permit was obtained for the renovations and additions to the property completed by one of Hall’s contractors, and failed to disclose the lack of that permit to the buyer. Hall also failed to provide a physical address for herself or the firm.
SARAH KIRAMA (GREENSBORO) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Kirama for a period of 24 months, effective January 10, 2024. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Kirama acted as a listing agent for a residential property and received a home inspection report from a buyer who later terminated the contract. The inspection report noted certain items needed repair or replacement. Kirama relisted the property and noted in agent remarks on MLS that the report was available upon request but falsely stated that seller made all repairs mentioned in the report when her seller-client made some but not all repairs noted on the report. Kirama failed to advise her client to update the RPOADS form and failed to otherwise disclose material facts described on the inspection report that were not repaired by the seller. In two subsequent transactions, Kirama provided the inspection report only after the buyers went under contract.
LCW MANAGEMENT LLC (CLEMMONS) – The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate firm license of LCW Management LLC, effective February 14, 2024. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that the firm violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. The firm neither admitted nor denied misconduct.
LATOYA NICOLE OWENS (NEW BERN) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Owens for a period of 12 months, effective February 1, 2024. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Owens represented the buyer in the subject transaction. Sellers advertised a $3,500 seller-paid closing credit and a 1% lender credit with the use of a preferred lender. Owens failed to include these terms in the offer to purchase and contract that was accepted by the seller. The sellers would not thereafter offer the credits. Owens failed to enter into a buyer agency agreement prior to the time of offer.
MANUEL PONCE DE LEON (JACKSONVILLE) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Ponce de Leon for a period of 12 months, effective February 1, 2024. The Commission found that Ponce de Leon represented buyers in the purchase of the subject property. The buyers asked Ponce de Leon if the subject property had previously flooded. Ponce de Leon failed to inquire from the listing agent and failed to discover permits for work evidencing previous flooding to the subject property caused by a hurricane. Ponce de Leon failed to provide and review the Working with Real Estate Agents disclosure at first substantial contact and failed to provide fully executed documents to the buyers in the subject transaction.
JOSEPH R PUMA (HUNTERSVILLE) – By Consent, the Commission suspended the broker license of Puma for a period of 6 months, effective February 1, 2024. The Commission then stayed the suspension in its entirety upon certain conditions. The Commission found that Puma represented the sellers of the subject property. The buyer was represented by a buyer’s agent. Puma advertised the subject property as a “private lot home.” Puma failed to verify, prior to offer, the planned use of the multiple parcels of residential land adjacent to the subject property. A preliminary plan for a 124-single family home subdivision had been proposed and noticed by the locality. Puma did not have actual knowledge of the proposed development plans for the adjacent land. Buyer closed on the subject property and shortly thereafter, the land was sold, development of the subdivision received approval and construction began.
ROGA LLC (JACKSONVILLE) – By Consent, the Commission reprimanded ROGA LLC, effective February 1, 2024. The Commission found that the firm advertised properties on social media for rent by others without obtaining permission.
ALFRED S RUSHATZ (SANFORD) – The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Rushatz, effective February 1, 2024. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Rushatz violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Rushatz neither admitted nor denied misconduct.
JOELLEN EUBANKS SHIPMAN (LAKE TOXAWAY) – Following a hearing, the Commission permanently revoked the broker license of Shipman, effective November 20, 2023. The Commission found that Shipman listed the subject property as a short-term vacation rental. When Shipman was unable to successfully procure short-term tenants, the property owner agreed to allow for a long-term tenant in the subject property. The lease agreement approved by the property owner prohibited pets without the prior written consent of the property owner. Shipman altered the lease agreement previously approved by the property owner in order to allow pets in the subject property without obtaining consent of the property owner. Respondent failed to provide an executed copy of the lease agreement to the property owner. Respondent failed to timely deposit the tenant security deposit in her trust account.
MICHAEL D SONBERT (CLEMMONS) – The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of the real estate license of Sonbert, effective February 14, 2024. The Commission dismissed without prejudice allegations that Sonbert violated provisions of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. Sonbert neither admitted nor denied misconduct.