Fair Housing

Real estate professionals are often the first and primary point of contact for buyers, sellers, and renters in the real estate marketplace. Access to reliable fair housing resources is essential for brokers in order to help them navigate complex regulations with confidence and consistency. Quality resources, including federal guidance, state-level updates, or industry training tools, help brokers avoid regulatory violations, respond appropriately to client questions, and maintain ethical practices. Ultimately, staying connected to these resources strengthens a broker’s professionalism, protects their business, and reinforces trust within the communities they serve. Brokers would benefit from having the resources below in their toolkit.

North Carolina Real Estate Commission

• Provides fair housing guidance for brokers and consumers

• Offers continuing education courses with fair housing components

• Offers education and outreach for brokers and consumers

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• Provides federal fair housing regulations, complaint procedures, and  compliance guidelines

• Offers training materials and policy updates

• A foundational source for understanding national standards

NC REALTORS®

• Offers fair housing training and simulations for members

• Offers a fair housing video and articles for non-members

Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) Offices

HUD-certified state and local organizations that investigate complaints, offer education, and outreach programs

• North Carolina Human Relations Commission

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations

• City of Durham Human Relations Division

Fair Housing Organizations and Nonprofits

These organizations offer education, outreach, advocacy, and research

• National Fair Housing Alliance

• The Fair Housing Project of Legal Aid of North Carolina  

 

Current Stats: Monthly Licensee Count as of February 1, 2026

Reminder to Licensees Regarding Contact Information

Every broker in their Licensee Login must provide the Commission with a private email. If you are a broker, your private email is the way you will receive all notices and communications from the Commission. The Commission sends out reminder notices, renewal notices and other communications using the private email provided by the broker.

Brokers also have the option to provide a public email address. The public email address is what the Commission makes available to the public, including people outside of the Commission who have requested broker contact information.

Brokers provide the following information in their portal and are responsible for making certain this information is current and correct:

• Private email address
• Optional public email address
• Residence mailing address
• Residence physical address
• Private phone number

Brokers do not need to fill out a form, submit an email or call the Commission to change any of the above items. The Commission will not alter these fields from what the broker has entered. If the information is outdated or incorrect, the broker simply needs to log in to their portal and change it.

Brokers should not use the Firm/Office Address Change Request form (REC 2.21) to change their individual address, even if changing affiliations. This form is designed for use only by a BIC when a firm or office location address changes.

Please take a moment to log in to your broker portal today and check the accuracy of your contact information. Doing so will insure that you don’t miss important notifications from the Commission.

PBs, Don’t Forget your Postlicensing Deadline!

Are you a provisional broker? Have you completed your Postlicensing courses? If not, don’t let the ads for Continuing Education (CE) courses distract you from also completing your three required Postlicensing (PL) courses by your deadline. To remain eligible for active license status, PL must be completed in a timely manner.

The 18-month PL deadline started ticking as soon as your license was issued. It does not matter if or when you activated your license, you still must complete your PL courses within 18 months of initial licensure. Further, Commission rules do not allow for any extension of the 18-month period. Noncompliance will result in an inactive license status until the education deficiency is remedied and any other activation requirements are met.

CE and PL are not the same and are not interchangeable! Both are important. The primary purpose of PL education is to provide new brokers with practical education to help them transition from provisional status to becoming a “full” broker. In most cases, it only needs to be completed one time. Meanwhile, CE is an annual broker education requirement to keep brokers up to date on current issues and practices and other topics of importance to brokers; It is  also a requirement for active license eligibility.

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.”

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.