Exceeding the Scope of Access—Legal Case Study—November 2019

This case highlights the importance of confirming that your clients have the authority to access property and that you do not provide access in excess of the scope allowed. In addition, it demonstrates the importance of providing honest and reliable testimony to the Virginia Real Estate Board when facing a potential violation.

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Earnest Money Deposit Timely Manner—Legal Case Study—September 2019

This case highlights not only the importance of adhering to the Board’s regulations through actions such as depositing the earnest money deposit in a timely manner and notifying all parties of material changes to the transaction, but also the importance of paying attention to detail and keeping up to date on your broker’s policies and the status of the transaction.

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Earnest Money Deposit—Legal Case Study—September 2019

Escrow violations are some of the most common violations that come before the Virginia Real Estate Board. This case demonstrates the importance of adhering to the terms of the real estate contract and making timely deposits of the Earnest Money Deposit as required by the contract.

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Broker Supervision—Legal Case Study—August 2019

This case highlights the importance of broker supervision regardless of the size of the firm. It is important for brokers to maintain appropriate records, and know the activities of their agents. While this task may seem particularly important when a brokerage firm has multiple salespeople, it is required by the regulations regardless of the size of the firm.

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Disclosure of Licensee Status—Legal Case Study—March 2019

This case study highlights the importance of making the necessary disclosures with regards to your real estate license status, and making sure that all agents in your firm understand when this disclosure must be made. Despite not actively listing real estate in over 20 years, this agent was still a licensed Virginia real estate agent and needed to adhere to the applicable Virginia laws and regulations.

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Misrepresentation in Advertising—Legal Case Study—February 2019

This case study highlights the importance of accuracy in your real estate advertisements. When real estate licensees and brokers think about accuracy we usually hear about the importance of accurately describing the property or facts related to the transaction. This Virginia Real Estate Board case illustrates the importance of accurately identifying your role in the transaction.

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Not Licensed to Sell—Legal Case Study—December 2018

Mary Well became a real estate sales person in Virginia in 1999. She also was licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Since May of 2014, Ms. Well has been affiliated with nine real estate firms. On December 17, 2016, Ms. Well drafted an Exclusive Right to Represent Buyer Agreement with Mr. Do to purchase a house in the Falls Church, Virginia area. The agreement listed Ms. Well as the Buyer’s Agent, and Wise Real Estate Company, LLC as the broker.

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Not Licensed to Sell #2—Legal Case Study—December 2018

On July 16, 2016, in the United State District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Mr. Maude was convicted of two felonies, Aggravated Identify Theft and Aiding and Assisting in Preparation of False Return. The felonies pertained to his conduct between 2011 and 2014 when he was engaged in tax preparation services. Mr. Maude modified his clients’ tax returns to include false information and artificially inflate their income tax refunds. He then took a portion of each income tax refund and used it for his own benefit. Mr. Maude pleaded guilty and signed a plea agreement where he was sentenced to fourteen months in prison on each charge to run concurrently. He was also ordered to serve one year of probation upon his release.

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