Stay within the Legal guidelines for Advertising

Just open a home magazine, go to a broker’s website, or scroll through Facebook and there are violations of license law! Really… You do NOT want to be on the DOL list of investigations! It is one of the most common investigations! Some examples include:

· Your legal FIRM name must be on ALL ads, emails, signs, websites. An email, name@firmname.com, does not legally identify the FIRM name. The FIRM name must be “clear and conspicuous.” The firm logo is not required by DOL.

· A Team Name on any advertising must also include the FIRM name unless your FIRM (not the Team) has applied for your Team Name as an Assumed Name.

· Your FIRM name must be identified “within one click” on online. How many times does a consumer have to search to find the FIRM?

Worst case, a consumer OR another broker could make a complaint to the DOL. It would be more fun to have a root canal!

Questions most often marked Wrong on Classes!

LISTING AGREEMENT IS BROKERAGE SERVICES AGREEMENT Most of the brokers taking the Core Curriculum do not seem to know that the Listing Agreement IS a Brokerage Services Agreement! The BSA must be signed by the seller “as soon as reasonably practicable.” Property management agreements and leases are also Brokerage services agreements.

TERMINATING BROKERAGE SERVICES AGREEMENT Either party can terminate a brokerage services agreement at any time. It should be in writing to be enforceable and there may be consequences like the tail provision or costs or that incurred.

POCKET LISTINGS LAW Washington State enacted a law effective in June 2026 that prohibits “pocket listings.” A paragraph was also added to the Agency Law Pamphlet. That means that if you advertise properties that are listed on your website, it would be unwise to have “pocket listings” that are not offered on the NWMLS also on that website. Contact your Designated Broker.

INSPECTION REPORT The Buyer is NOT supposed to give the seller the inspection report without the seller’s written permission.

FAIR HOUSING AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION The Federal Fair housing Act applies basically to Housing. the WA Law Against Discrimination is broader and includes housing, land, commercial transactions to name a few. The protected classes in WA include Race/Color, Religion (even uncommon or unexpected religions), Sex (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity), Age, Marital Status, Familial Status, Disability, Military and Veteran Status, Use of Service Animal or trained dog guide, HIV/AIDS and HepC, State employee or health care whistleblower, and Consumer/ credit history. Many broker are not aware of some of these protected classes.

It would be wise to not repeat anything you hear or assume things about people in the military, an uncommon religion, or have hijabs, turbans, yarmulkes, uncut hair, beards, or dreadlocks, or assumption about people’s habits from another country.

Do not ask prospective clients about their religious beliefs, their marital status or even their hair.

The Legal Edge 15 clockhours includes Core!

This class is the most updated legal continuing education class available! No class compares to the information you will learn by reading and answering the questions to complete the class.

This class includes the newest Core Curriculum 2026-2027 class!

Now, you have laws that are impacting how you represent your clients as a buyers agent. Lawsuits are opening your eyes to the types of claims that can be made about brokers! National and state anti discrimination laws widened categories that protect more people. States across the country are wrestling with potential contracts that could financially destroy your clients.

Don’t be a dinosaur…. or a dragon. (It is a cute photo!) Be up to date on the hottest issues which includes the Core Curriculum requirement for current issues! Topic areas include property management, fraud, legislative, lawsuits, discrimination, disclosure, and broker responsibilities.

Click on the class below and check it out. There is no password, registration, or wall to check it out. To get clockhours, print out the quiz which is at the end and read the class like an open book test. You can access the pdf from any computer and even your mobile phone! Email back the quiz and pay tuition … and we will email you a certificate.

The Legal Edge class includes the Core Curriculum which is embedded inside it.

You also are required to take the 3 hour Fair Housing. The link is below