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    Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons
    Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons
    Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons
    Ebook350 pages4 hours

    Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons

    By Stephen Mettling, Ryan Mettling and David Cusic

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    About this ebook

    Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons is 30-hour review and applied principles coursebook for newly-licensed salespersons beginning their real estate careers in Virginia. It is designed to satisfy your one-time postlicense requirement as a salesperson actively practicing real estate in Virginia. Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons is used with approved salesperson postlicensing courses throughout Virginia.

    Table of Contents:

    Unit 1: Real Estate Law and Regulations
    Unit 2: Agency Law
    Unit 3: Escrow Requirements
    Unit 4: Real Estate Finance
    Unit 5: Fair Housing, ADA and Civil Rights
    Unit 6: Ethics and Standards of Conduct
    Unit 7: Risk Management
    Unit 8: Contract Writing
    Unit 9: Current Industry Issues and Trends

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPerformance Programs Company
    Release dateJul 26, 2021
    Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons
    Author

    Stephen Mettling

    For over forty years, Stephen Mettling and David Cusic, PhD, have operated Performance Programs Company, one of the nation's most successful custom training organizations specializing in real estate program development. Mr. Mettling and Dr. Cusic have jointly written over 100 books, courses, and custom programs in all facets of real estate for some of the country’s largest organizations including the National Association of Realtors® and its many Institutes.Mr. Mettling has also served as vice president and author for the country’s largest real estate training and publishing organization. Under various capacities, he has managed the acquisition, development, and sale of national real estate textbooks and publications, as well as directed the country's largest affiliated group of real estate schools.

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      Book preview

      Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons - Stephen Mettling

      VAP_ebook

      Virginia Real Estate

      Postlicensing

      for Salespersons

      1st Edition

      Stephen Mettling

      Ryan Mettling

      David Cusic

      Material in this book is not intended to represent legal advice and should not be so construed. Readers should consult legal counsel for advice regarding points of law.

      © 2021 by Performance Programs Company

      502 S. Fremont Ave., Suite 724, Tampa, FL, 33606

      info@performanceprogramscompany.com

      www.performanceprogramscompany.com

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any means without the express written consent of the publisher.

      Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons

      Table of Contents

      Course Overview

      UNIT 1: REAL ESTATE LAW AND REGULATIONS

      UNIT 2: AGENCY LAW

      UNIT 3: ESCROW REQUIREMENTS

      UNIT 4: REAL ESTATE FINANCE

      UNIT 5: FAIR HOUSING, ADA AND CIVIL RIGHTS

      UNIT 6: ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

      UNIT 7: RISK MANAGEMENT

      UNIT 8: CONTRACT WRITING

      UNIT 9: CURRENT INDUSTRY ISSUES AND TRENDS

      Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons

      Course Overview

      Welcome to our Virginia Real Estate Postlicensing for Salespersons course, a 30-hour review and applied principles course for newly-licensed salespersons beginning their real estate careers in Virginia. Successful completion of this course will satisfy your one-time postlicense requirement as a salesperson actively practicing real estate in Virginia.

      ABOUT THE AUTHORS

      For nearly fifty years, Stephen Mettling has been actively engaged in real estate education. Beginning with Dearborn in 1972, then called Real Estate Education Company, Mr. Mettling managed the company’s textbook division and author acquisitions. Subsequently he built up the company’s real estate school division which eventually became the country’s largest real estate, insurance and securities school network in the country. In 1978, Mr. Mettling founded Performance Programs Company, a custom training program publishing and development company specializing in commercial, industrial, and corporate real estate. Over time, Performance Programs Company narrowed its focus to real estate textbook and exam prep publishing. Currently the Company’s texts and prelicense resources are used in hundreds of schools in over 48 states. As of 2021, Mr. Mettling has authored over 100 textbooks, real estate programs and exam prep manuals.

      Ryan Mettling, partner and publisher of Performance Programs, is an accomplished online curriculum designer, author, and course developer. He is responsible for the company’s strategic planning, general management, printing and production, e-pub and retail platforms, and multi-channel marketing. Mr. Mettling is a member of the Real Estate Educators Association (REEA), and graduated Valedictorian from the University of Central Florida’s College of Business Administration.

      David Cusic, Ph.D., has been a training consultant, author, and Performance Programs Company partner for over forty years. As an educator with international real estate training experience, Dr. Cusic has been engaged in vocation-oriented education since 1966. Specializing in real estate training since 1983, he has developed numerous real estate training programs for corporate and institutional clients nationwide. Dr. Cusic is co-author of the Company’s flagship title, Principles of Real Estate Practice by Mettling and Cusic, now complemented by over 18 state supplements and 20 exam prep texts.

      KEY CONTRIBUTOR

      Kseniya Korneva. Kseniya Korneva is a licensed REALTOR® in Tampa, Florida with a passion for writing and editing. She graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from Clemson University and fell in love with real estate shortly after. Coming from a long line of academics, her love for education runs deep. Kseniya was first introduced to the world of publishing after writing her own e-book in 2019 and realized she wanted to dive deeper. In her free time, she loves to write about personal finance and real estate on her blog (www.TheMoneyMinimalists.com).

      UNIT 1:

      REAL ESTATE LAW AND REGULATIONS

      Unit One Learning Objectives: When the student has completed this unit he or she will be able to:

      Characterize the most essential aspects of Virginia real estate licensure, including regulatory entities, types of licenses and what activities require licensure.

      List and summarize the various non-relationship disclosures that licensees and/or sellers must conduct in a timely fashion, including those relating to property condition, the environment, material facts, and homeowners associations.

      Summarize the local Virginia statutes pertaining to real estate.

      THE REAL ESTATE BOARD

      The Virginia Real Estate Board (REB) is the regulatory board that certifies and licenses individuals wishing to conduct real estate business. The REB has authority to enforce, amend, and promulgate rules and regulations to execute the law.

      The REB falls under the direction and supervision of the DPOR. The Director of the DPOR acts as the secretary for the REB, maintains all REB records, collects fees paid to the REB, exercises specific powers as the administrator of the REB, and enforces statutes and regulations as necessary.

      Structure and functions

      The REB consists of nine members, two of whom are citizen members and seven of whom have held real estate broker or salesperson licenses for 5 consecutive years prior to being appointed to the REB. Members are appointed by the Governor for 4-year staggered terms and may be appointed for a second term. They elect their own chairman from the membership and adopt a seal to authenticate their proceedings.

      The REB does not:

      arbitrate disputes between salespersons and brokers

      arbitrate disputes between brokers

      establish commission rates or commission splits

      standardize listing agreements, sales contracts, or other real estate forms except when charged to do so

      Powers

      The REB’s general powers include the following:

      administering and enforcing regulations under Chapter 21 of the Virginia Code

      establishing real estate licensure and renewal requirements

      determining license fees

      adopting regulations for establishing licensure educational requirements and ensuring related courses meet certain standards of quality

      waiving education or experience requirements when the equivalent has already been obtained

      issuing and renewing real estate licenses

      establishing activities unlicensed independent contractors are permitted to perform

      administering the Virginia real estate transaction recovery fund

      enforcing the Virginia Fair Housing law, conducting investigations on complaints, and imposing penalties on violators

      imposing discipline and sanctions for license law violations, i.e., suspending, revoking, or denying renewal of licenses

      investigating allegations of unlicensed individuals performing real estate activities, issuing cease and desist orders, imposing civil penalties, and reporting the individual to the commonwealth attorney for further action

      obtaining and examining a licensee’s documents, books, or records related to any real estate transaction

      IMPROPER DEALINGS AND PROHIBITED ACTS

      The Virginia Administrative Code identifies the following licensee actions as improper dealing:

      offering property for sale or lease without the knowledge and consent of the property owner or the owner’s representative

      offering property for sale or lease on terms not authorized by the property owner or the owner’s representative

      placing a sign on a property without the property owner or the owner’s representative giving consent

      advertising property for sale, rent, or lease without including the name of the real estate firm or sole proprietorship, regardless of the advertising medium

      entering into a brokerage relationship that does not include a termination date or the means to determine a termination date or that does not allow the client to terminate the relationship

      DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

      Complaints

      Anyone who has a complaint against a licensee for allegedly violating statutes or regulations may file the complaint with the DPOR. The complaint must be in writing and received by the Department within 3 years of the alleged act. If a licensee materially and willfully misrepresents information legally required to be disclosed to a complainant and such information is material to establishing the alleged violation, the complaint may be filed within 2 years after the discovery of the misrepresentation. The complaint form can be found online on the DPOR’s website at https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Report-Licensee .

      The REB can also investigate any licensee on its own motion, even if no complaint has been received.

      Complaint processing. The Regulatory Programs and Compliance Section will review the complaint to determine if the alleged violation is within the scope of the REB’s authority. The DPOR only processes complaints against individuals and businesses that are subject to the laws and regulations of its regulatory boards, in this case, the REB. If the alleged violation is not within the REB’s authority, the complaint will be referred to the appropriate regulatory agency.

      The accused licensee is notified as soon as possible so he or she may respond. The principal broker is also notified.

      After reviewing the complaint, the Regulatory Programs and Compliance Section may attempt to resolve the matter informally, investigate further, refer the complaint to the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for further action, or close the file.

      Prior to further investigating the complaint, the DPOR may suggest that the ADR mediate the matter. Resolving the matter through ADR avoids months of formal investigation and potential civil litigation. If the complaint cannot be resolved through ADR, it will be referred to the Investigations section for a formal investigation wherein evidence is obtained to determine whether or not a violation occurred.

      If the investigation supports a probable violation, the DPOR may offer the licensee the opportunity to enter into a voluntary consent order with the REB. Consent orders negotiate terms that may include monetary penalties, remedial education, or probation. Cases resolved with consent orders are closed without disciplinary action beyond the terms agreed to by the licensee.

      Based on the report of findings from the Investigations section and the licensee’s refusal of a consent order, the Board may either hold an informal hearing to resolve the matter quickly and bring the licensee into compliance or hold a formal hearing.

      A formal hearing is conducted by a hearing officer who is appointed by the Virginia Supreme Court. A formal hearing’s proceedings are conducted in accordance with the Administrative Process Act of the Code of Virginia. The subject licensee may be represented by an attorney, and both the licensee and the Board may subpoena witnesses. A finding of guilty can be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction within 30 days.

      If the investigation does not find probable cause that a violation occurred, the case will be closed.

      Sanctions

      The REB has the power to impose disciplinary actions on a licensee who has been found guilty of violating or cooperating with others in violating any provision of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

      Consequently, if an investigation or hearing finds probable cause that the violation did occur, the REB may require remedial education, impose a fine up to $1,000, suspend or revoke the license, or refuse to renew the license. However, as a regulatory board, the REB cannot require any individual or business to refund money, correct deficiencies, or provide other personal remedies.

      Effect of disciplinary action on subordinate licensees. If the complaint and subsequent investigation regarding a violation by a principal broker or sole proprietor results in the revocation, suspension, or denial of renewal of the broker’s license, then the licenses of all affiliated licensees must be returned to the REB until another principal broker or sole proprietor requests the licenses to be reissued.

      LICENSED ACTIVITIES

      Virginia license law mandates that any time a person, firm, partnership, co-partnership, association, or corporation is provided compensation for any of the following activities for another, that person or entity is acting as a real estate broker or salesperson and must be licensed as such.

      Specific permitted activities

      buying, selling, exchanging, leasing, renting, or offering to do any of these activities

      showing property or holding open houses

      answering questions for more information on a property to include questions onlistings, title, financing, closing, contracts, brokerage agreements, and legal documents

      discussing, explaining, interpreting, or negotiating a contract, listing, lease agreement, or property management agreement with anyone outside the firm

      negotiating or agreeing to any commission, commission split, management fee, or referral fee

      Activities not requiring a license

      Unlicensed employees and assistants may perform the following activities:

      perform general clerical duties, including answering the phones, responding by electronic media, provide information shown on the listing, schedule appointments

      submit listings and changes to MLS, have keys made for listings, place signs on properties, order repairs as directed by licensee

      prepare promotional materials and advertisements for approval of the licensee and supervising broker

      prepare contract forms for licensee and supervising broker’s approval, assemble closing documents, act as a courier service

      obtain required public information from governmental entities

      record and deposit earnest money deposits, security deposits, and advance rents

      follow up on loan commitments after contracts are ratified

      compute commission checks

      monitor license and personnel files

      receive compensation for their work at a predetermined rate not contingent on the occurrence of a real estate transaction

      perform any other activities undertaken in the regular course of business for which a license is not required

      REPORTING TO THE BOARD

      Salespersons and brokers must keep the Board informed of their current name and home address, just as each broker must keep the Board informed of the current firm and branch office name and addresses. The Board will not accept a post office box address, so a physical address is required. Any change must be reported to the Board in writing within 30 calendar days of the change. Licensees who use a professional name other than a legal name must report the professional name to the Board prior to using it.

      When any licensee is discharged or in any way terminates active status with a sole proprietorship or firm, the sole proprietor or principal broker must return that individual’s license to the Board within 10 calendar days of the date of termination or status change, indicating the date of termination on the license.  

      When any principal broker is discharged or in any way terminates active status with a firm, the firm must notify the Board and return the license to the board within 3 business days of termination or status change, indicating the date of termination on the license and sign the license before returning it.

      VIRGINIA RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY DISCLOSURE ACT

      The Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act (§ 55.1-700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) governs the information property owners must disclose to prospective purchasers of residential real property.

      Applicability. The Act applies only to residential property with one to four dwelling units being transferred by sale, exchange, installment land sales contract, or lease with option to buy, whether or not a real estate licensee is involved.

      Exemptions. The following are exempt from disclosure requirements:

      court-ordered or involuntary transfers

      administration of an estate

      pursuant to a writ of execution

      foreclosure sale or deed in lieu of a foreclosure

      by a bankruptcy trustee

      eminent domain

      an assignment for creditors

      escheats

      owner’s failure to pay taxes

      a judgement for specific performance

      voluntary transfers

      from one or more co-owners to other co-owner(s)

      divorce or property settlement stipulation

      to lineal line relatives

      from government entity or housing authority

      first sale of property other than foreclosure

      Licensee duties. According to the Act, the listing broker for an owner of residential property has a duty to inform the owner of the owner's rights and obligations.

      A licensee representing a purchaser of residential property has a duty to inform the purchaser of the purchaser's rights and obligations. If the purchaser is not represented by a licensee, the licensee representing the owner has the duty to inform the purchaser of his or her rights and obligations.

      A licensee has no further disclosure duties to the parties to the transaction and is not liable to any party to the transaction for a violation of disclosure requirements or for any failure to disclose information regarding the property.

      Contract termination. If required disclosures are not delivered to the purchaser prior to ratification of the purchase contract, the purchaser may terminate the contract prior to or upon the earliest of the following:

      three days after delivery of the disclosure statement in person or by electronic delivery

      five days after the postmark if the disclosure statement is mailed, postage prepaid, and properly addressed to the purchaser

      settlement upon purchase of the property

      the purchaser’s occupancy of the property

      the purchaser's written application for a mortgage loan if the application contains a statement that the right of termination ends with the application for the loan

      after receiving the required disclosure statement, the purchaser providing a waiver of the right to terminate that is in writing and separate from the purchase contract. The purchaser must give written termination notice to the owner by hand delivery; postage prepaid U.S. mail with proof of mailing; electronic delivery; or overnight delivery by a commercial service or the U.S. Postal Service

      PROPERTY DISCLOSURES

      Sellers of residential property are required to provide a Residential Property Disclosure Statement to the buyer to warn buyers of certain matters that may affect the buyer’s decision to purchase the property. This is the seller’s responsibility, not the licensee’s responsibility. 

      Although the seller is not be required to voluntarily disclose certain issues, he or she must be honest if the buyer asks questions.

      The seller cannot be held liable for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions in the disclosure if the seller relied on information from a professional third party.

      The Residential Property Disclosure Statement covers disclosure information and can be found at https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Consumers/Residential_Property_Disclosures .

      Forms to be used for required disclosures are also on the REB’s website at http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Consumers/Disclosure_Forms/.

      The Disclosure Statement is a Buyer Beware notice that the seller makes no representations or warranties as to

      condition of the property

      use of adjacent properties

      historic district ordinances

      resource protection areas (the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act)

      sex offender registry

      wastewater systems

      special flood areas

      conservation easements and other items.

      The statement also includes affirmative written disclosure requirements, which are covered below. The statement must be provided to the buyer before the purchase contract is executed.

      While the Residential Property Disclosure Act limits the licensee’s disclosure requirements to the rights and obligations of the parties to the transaction, §54.1-2131B mandates that the licensee handling the property sale must disclose any information about the physical condition that materially affects the property or the property’s value. However, this requirement is limited to information the licensee knows about the condition of the property.

      The licensee may rely on information provided by the seller and has no legal obligation to perform independent research into the property’s condition. The licensee cannot be held liable for misrepresentation if the information was provided by a client, public record, or a regulated professional.

      The disclosure requirement applies only to the property itself, not to adjacent properties, land use regulations, or roadways near the property.

      Given the limitations on disclosure requirements in Virginia and the Buyer Beware warnings, it is the buyer’s responsibility to research the property and inspect it for defects.

      If a buyer discovers defects in the property that were not disclosed or were misrepresented in the disclosure, the buyer may take legal action within one year of the disclosure delivery date, one year of lease with option occupancy, or one year of settlement if the required disclosure was never delivered.

      Aircraft noise/crash

      Any seller of residential property that is located in the vicinity of a military air installation must disclose whether the property is located in a noise zone or accident potential zone. Such zones are designated on the official zoning map for the area where the property is located. The disclosure must use a form found on the REB’s website. The disclosure must indicate the specific noise or accident potential zone where the property is located.

      Septic system

      While no Virginia law or regulation requires inspection of septic systems when properties with septic systems are bought or sold, the seller must disclose to the buyer the fact that the property uses a septic system.

      If the buyer or seller chooses to have the septic system inspected before execution of the property sale, it should be noted that the state health department has no standard for inspection and does not perform inspections. The seller must also inform the buyer that it is the seller’s responsibility to determine the details about the system and its maintenance requirements.

      If the property’s septic system needs repair or maintenance and the seller has obtained a waiver from the State Board of Health allow the seller to continue using the system while living on the property, the seller must inform the buyer that the waiver will not apply to the buyer. Consequently, the buyer will be required to have the system repaired before it can be used.

      Megan’s Law

      Megan's Law is a federal law that requires law enforcement authorities to make information about registered sex offenders available to the public.

      The General Assembly in Richmond has also passed a Megan's Law statute intended to provide the public with more direct access to information on sex offenders. As part of this public policy initiative, the Virginia Residential Disclosure Act now requires listing agents in Virginia to ensure that property purchasers are provided with either the Virginia Residential Property Disclosure or the Virginia Residential Property Disclaimer form. Both forms inform prospective purchasers about how to obtain information from the Virginia State Police regarding sex offenders in their area.

      Stigmatized property

      Stigmatized properties are those that have experienced an event or condition that may affect the desirability of the property while having no effect on the property’s physical condition. Such events or conditions include murder, suicide, a felony; a reputed haunting, or a communicable disease. Virginia does not require inspection, investigation, verification, or disclosure regarding these types of event.

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