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On this episode of Caveat REALTOR®, Virginia REALTORS®’s legal team provides an overview of the sweeping federal tax reform bill passed by Congress in late 2017. Jon and Austin discuss how the bill affects individual and business taxpayers, and specifically how the new framework impacts real estate professionals.

This episode of Caveat REALTOR®, addresses harassment in the workplace; a topic that has been dominating news stories over the past few weeks. Cate and Jon discuss broker liability for harassment in the office, how to prevent harassment in the workplace, and what policies brokers should have in place. They answer some legal hotline questions, such as “My agents are all independent contractors. Can I make them adhere to an anti-harassment policy?” Finally, Cate and Jon review how brokers can limit their liability and create a safe work space for their employees and independent contractors.

On this episode of Caveat REALTOR®, Virginia REALTORS®’s legal team gives an update on website accessibility. Cate and Erin discuss some recent lawsuits pertaining to website accessibility and review the standards set forth in the Web Consent Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. They answer some legal hotline questions, and review some ways to engage in ensuring your website is accessible to persons with disabilities.

On this episode of Caveat REALTOR®, Virginia REALTORS®’s legal team discusses cybersecurity. Because real estate transactions involve an exchange of financial and personal information, real estate companies can be targets for cybercrime. Cate and Erin review applicable laws and discuss some good cybersecurity practices to help you safeguard information and communicate risks to your clients. They answer some legal hotline questions, and review ways to help limit your risk and engage in cybersecurity best practices.

September is Emergency Preparedness Month, and this week the Virginia REALTORS®’s legal team discusses home sales and natural disasters. Although you cannot predict when a natural disaster will strike, you can take certain actions to make sure that you are prepared to respond. In this episode, Laura and Cate discuss what to do when your client has a home under contract for sale and a natural disaster strikes before closing. They review pertinent legal hotline questions and discuss some ways to make sure that you are prepared and know how to react when a natural disaster strikes.

What is an independent contractor? How is one different from an employee? This week, the Virginia REALTORS®’s legal team discusses independent contractors. Laura and Cate review some legal hotline questions, such as “I want to pay my licensees a base salary. Can I still classify them as independent contractors?” Finally, they discuss some ways to make sure that you properly classify independent contractors and do not unintentionally assume additional liability.