Washington REALTORS®

In this episode of the Legal Hotline, we clarify which Washington condominiums are governed by the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA)—and how to confirm it before 2028.

Learn how to:

Determine whether a condo is under WUCIOA based on CC&R recording dates.

Identify amendments that opt older communities into WUCIOA.

Choose the correct resale certificate form (Form 27-CIC vs. Form 27).

Protect your clients from rescission risk by verifying compliance.

By January 1, 2028, all condos in Washington will be subject to WUCIOA—but the rules already apply to many communities today. Make sure you’re using the right forms and asking the right questions.

Referenced Forms:

•Statewide Form 27CIC (WUCIOA Resale Certificate)

•Statewide Form 27 (Non-WUCIOA Resale Certificate)

Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resources:

Visit: warealtor.org, log in, and follow the links to the Legal Hotline

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of the Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline, we’re taking a closer look at referral fee disclosures — and what happens when a consumer says no.

Can you still move forward with the transaction? What are your obligations to the referring broker? And what does the law require when it comes to disclosure and consent?

Join Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons as she explains the rules around referral fee obligations, compensation disclosures, and why you cannot enter a brokerage services agreement without clear, written consent.

Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resources:

Visit: warealtor.org, log in, and follow the links to the Legal Hotline

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of DBrief, Washington REALTORS® Government Affairs Director Mary Hull-Drury sits down with Steven Bourassa, Director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research (WCRER), to unpack the key findings from the Quarter 2 WCRER Market Report for 2025.

They cover:

• The sharp rise in active listings vs. stagnant sales

• Why affordability continues to hinder buyers

• How to interpret county-level data responsibly

• Trends in building permits and construction activity

• Where brokers can access detailed market reports and request localized data

Access WCRER reports here: wcrer.be.uw.edu

Request additional data: [email protected]

This episode is essential viewing for Designated Brokers, Broker-Owners, and Managing Brokers who need to stay educated about market shifts and make informed decisions for their firms.

Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes designed for Designated Brokers and Managing Brokers.

Disclaimer: Washington REALTORS® services, including videos, articles, and access to resources, are Washington REALTOR® member-only benefits and do not constitute legal counsel or advice. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of the Legal Hotline, we discuss the federal requirements surrounding the Lead-Based Paint Addendum (Form 22J) and how brokers can ensure compliance. Learn when Form 22J must be delivered, why seller initials and dates matter, and how to avoid triggering unintended rescission periods.

Key topics covered:

• When Form 22J is required in a transaction

• Best practices for completing and uploading the form

• How Form 21 provides a three-day rescission right if 22J is missing

• Federal law implications for homes built in 1978 or earlier

• Why attaching Form 22J early protects your clients and the transaction

Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resources:

Visit: warealtor.org, log in, and follow the links to the Legal Hotline

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

__________________

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

Buying or selling a home contingent on another sale can create a chain of buyers and sellers. But how many contingent buyers can legally stack—and what does it mean for sellers who consent?

In this episode of the Legal Hotline, Annie Fitzsimmons explains how Washington’s statewide forms handle multiple contingent sales, when seller consent is required, and the risks of opening the “floodgate” to extended chains.

Learn how to advise your clients, weigh the benefits and risks, and understand the leapfrog effect that can occur when contingent sales multiply.

Topics Covered:

• How contingent buyers can stack in a transaction

• When seller consent is (and isn’t) required

• Risks of multiple contingent chains

• Best practices for educating sellers

Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resources:

Visit: warealtor.org, log in, and follow the links to the Legal Hotline

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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WR's Friday Videos & Legal Hotline are also available as

podcast episodes on Apple Podcasts & SoundCloud!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/washington-realtors/id1617122733

https://soundcloud.com/washington_realtors

For more information on Washington REALTORS®, visit warealtor.org

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

When does a referral fee require disclosure—and does it matter if both brokers are in the same firm?

In this Legal Hotline episode, we explain the July 2025 form changes and clarify how Washington law treats referral fee disclosures. You’ll learn when client consent is required, when disclosure is unnecessary, and how to explain these rules with clear examples.

What you’ll learn:

• New disclosure requirements under the July 2025 forms.

• Why do cross-side payments (buyer to seller side) always need client consent?

• When intra-firm splits, team lead, or assistant payments do not require disclosure.

• How to distinguish between internal firm compensation and consumer-facing payments.

Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resources:

Visit: warealtor.org, log in, and follow the links to the Legal Hotline

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

__________________

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

#WashingtonREALTORS #LegalHotline #ReferralFees #RealEstateLaw

Confused about whether escrow can pay your broker, team leader, or assistant directly? In this episode of the Legal Hotline, we break down when escrow disbursements are lawful, what written instructions are required, and why the firm always remains responsible for the full tax liability.

You’ll learn:

• When and how escrow can split commission payments

• Why blanket or standing instructions are not permitted

• How written, transaction-specific directions from the designated broker protect your firm

• The tax implications of escrow-directed disbursements

Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resources:

Visit: warealtor.org, log in, and follow the links to the Legal Hotline

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

Buying or selling a home can get complicated when multiple sales depend on each other. In this episode of Legal Hotline, we answer a critical question:

Which form should a buyer’s broker include when the buyer must close their own home sale before purchasing, and that sale is already pending, but contingent on yet another buyer’s home sale?

Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline attorney Annie Fitzsimmons breaks down:

The difference between Form 22Q (Pending Sale Addendum) and Form 22B (Home Sale Contingency Addendum)

• Why Form 22Q is the correct choice when the buyer’s sale is already pending

• The risks sellers should consider when accepting contingent offers

• Practical advice to help brokers guide their clients through complex transactions

Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resources:

Visit: warealtor.org, log in, and follow the links to the Legal Hotline

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of the Washington Realtors® Legal Hotline, we answer a key question: Can a seller require a buyer to obtain pre-qualification or pre-approval with a specific lender before granting a financing contingency?

Learn why financing contingencies matter, how they protect both buyers and sellers, and what’s legally permissible when it comes to requiring lender involvement. We break down the difference between pre-qualification and underwriting pre-approval, and clarify how sellers can safeguard their transactions without violating the law.

Whether you’re a broker, buyer, or seller, this video provides essential legal insights for navigating financing contingencies with confidence.

Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resources:

Visit: warealtor.org, log in, and follow the links to the Legal Hotline

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

#RealEstateLaw #LegalHotline #WashingtonRealtors #FinancingContingency #HomeBuying

In this Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline episode, we address one of the biggest misconceptions in real estate: whether a pre-approval means the buyer must use that lender. Discover how pre-approval letters fit into the financing process, why they don’t create binding commitments, and what happens if a buyer wants to finance with a different lender.

Key takeaways:

• Pre-approval letters are not contracts with lenders

• When a new loan application counts as a lender “switch”

• How the five-day financing contingency deadline applies

• Why sellers who care about the lender must negotiate it

• Best practices for brokers guiding clients through financing

Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resources:

Visit: warealtor.org, log in, and follow the links to the Legal Hotline

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

__________________

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.