In today's Legal Hotline video/podcast episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is following up on discussing lease options. If you haven't already, please listen to the first video in this series before moving on to this video, as Annie details the reasons this is a last resort for seller. In this video, Annie explains the process and forms to create the lease option/purchase and sale agreement. Annie maintains, "No one should become an accidental landlord", but if you have to, do it right.

In today's Legal Hotline video/podcast episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is discussing lease options. Annie details different scenarios for buyers and sellers involving leasing prior to purchasing, and explains why this is not the best option for sellers at this point in the real estate market. Annie maintains, "No one should become an accidental landlord", find out why in this week's video.

Washington REALTORS® Nathan Gorton (Government Affairs Director) and Bill Clarke (Director of Public Policy) talk about our 2023 Legislative Priorities as we enter the new year. The session starts on January 9th, an there are a lot of bills on the hill to cover like Agency Law, Housing Supply, Leasebacks, Condos, and more! Watch/listen to this short episode and then register for WR Legislative Days at warealtor.org to be a part of the conversation.

In today's Legal Hotline video/podcast episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons addresses a new twist on wire fraud. We’ve warned you about wire fraud involving earnest money several times before but now fraudsters are waiting until right before closing to change wiring instructions for broker compensation. Find out more here and remember to always confirm wiring details via phone before transfer! Please like, share and subscribe!

International Speaker and Executive Leadership Coach Justin Patton was our keynote speaker at the Ignite Leadership Event in October and he was so fun and engaging that we asked him to come back for a follow-up podcast episode so that ALL our members could enjoy what he had to share. In this conversation between Justin and 2023 WR President Alisha Harrison, he shared his insight on how REALTORS® can best be their authentic selves, establish credibility, and build meaningful, trusting relationships with those in your personal and professional lives. The best part? He gave away tangible, actionable steps to do so! Listen in on this special half-hour bonus episode and be sure to subscribe and share…

In today's Legal Hotline, Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer) addresses confusion between the escrow industry, and the brokerage industry related to the settlement statement. The practice of escrow companies delivering both buyers and sellers transaction columns has changed to reflect new privacy laws, and DOL no longer requires escrow companies to provide a settlement statement with both columns. Please like, share and subscribe!

In today's Legal Hotline, Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer) addresses a new issue with buyer broker compensation. How is it that a Buyer’s Broker can negotiate compensation to be paid by the Seller if Buyer Broker has a Buyer Agency Agreement with the Buyer, but Buyer Broker cannot negotiate compensation to be paid by the Seller if there is no Buyer Agency Agreement? Annie explains here. Please like, share and subscribe!

In today's Legal Hotline, Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer) addresses a problem she's seen more and more frequently... Brokers hiring other brokers for concierge RE brokerage services. The DOL is discovering these problems through audits and complaints. Many DB's are unaware that their brokers are engaged in these services, and it presents several problems for the DOL, such as property management. Department of Licensing says the same issues of agency apply to property management as they do home sales, as Real Estate license holders are exempt from the loopholes of non licensed entities. Watch today’s Legal Hotline Video as Annie addresses what this means to you and your business.

WR’s Legal Hotline Series, Perspectives on a Transitioning Market: Part 11, Property Management Perspective Continued! Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer) has returned with Shelly Schmitz (Designated Broker with Keller Williams Premier Partners) and guest Kaitlyn Jackson (Dimension Law Group) to continue the discussion on the state of the current market from the perspective of a property manager. Find all of the perspectives videos on our Perspectives Playlist, and be sure to like, share and follow!

In today's Legal Hotline, Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer) addresses a problem she's seen more and more frequently... Brokers hiring other brokers for concierge RE brokerage services. The DOL is discovering these problems through audits and complaints. Many DB's are unaware that their brokers are engaged in these services, and it presents several problems for the DOL, such as compensation, agency, records and more. Department of Licensing says there is not a single firm that has been audited that has chosen to continue this practice and become compliant because compliance is so complex. Watch today’s Legal Hotline Video as Annie addresses what this means to you and your business.