Washington REALTORS®

In this episode of Trickle Down Compliance, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline attorney Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by Charlie Floberg and Jennifer Hawkins of Hawkins-Poe to discuss two critical responsibilities for real estate professionals: record retention and confidentiality. Learn how designated brokers and team leads manage transaction documentation and enforce compliance policies. Understan...

In this episode of Trickle Down Compliance, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by Charlie Floberg and Jennifer Hawkins of Hawkins-Poe to explore how Washington license law governs compliance from the broker level up through the firm. Learn how designated brokers delegate authority, what a delegation agreement includes, and how teams operate within firm policies....

It’s time for the 2025 Computation of Time Challenge! Join Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons as she walks you through this year’s Computation of Time Challenge! In this real-world scenario, you’ll test your understanding of contract timelines, holiday rules, and key legal deadlines affecting inspection contingencies and buyer walk-throughs. Don't forget to share with othe...

Welcome to another episode of The Team’s Playbook with Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons. In this episode, we dive into the legal mechanics of assumed name licenses for real estate teams in Washington State. Join the discussion as we cover: * What an assumed name license is and why it matters * Who can obtain and control an assumed name * Legal naming restrictions and how...

In this episode of The Team’s Playbook, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by Charlie Floater and Jen Hawkins of Hawkins-Poe to discuss one of the most critical — and often overlooked — elements of team success: compensation. They cover essential legal insights, including: * Who legally earns commission in a transaction * Whether escrow can pay brokers directly *...

Who represents the client when you’re working in a team? In this episode of The Team’s Playbook, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by managing brokers Jen Hawkins and Charlie Flow to explore the complex topic of agency relationships within real estate teams. Learn how agency is legally established, what happens when team members share or delegate responsibilitie...

In our second Episode of The Team’s Playbook, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons sits down with Charlie Floberg and Jen Hawkins to explore a key legal question in real estate team structures: Does a team leader need to be a managing broker? In this video, you’ll learn: • Why there’s no legal definition for a “team” • When a managing broker license is legally required • The...

Welcome to the first episode of The Teams Playbook, a legal education series for real estate professionals. In this episode, we introduce the concept of real estate teams—what they are, how they function, and the legal considerations every broker should understand. Join us as we explore: Why teams form in Real Estate The absence of a legal definition under Washington law How to structure teams for...

When an estate sells property, are disclosures still required? Annie Fitzsimmons explains what estate sellers must reveal—even without Form 17—and how to do it properly. Watch to learn how common law duties apply, what “known material defects” really mean, and how estate representatives can meet disclosure obligations with their attorney’s help. Members: Ask a question or explore more legal resour...

In this episode of the Washington Realtors® Legal Hotline, we tackle a common point of confusion in real estate transactions: when and why a buyer’s marital status must be disclosed. Join Annie Fitzsimmons as she explains: Why disclosure is legally required in the purchase and sale agreement. How marital status impacts title, financing, and closing. What happens when a buyer’s spouse isn’t disclos...

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. F...

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 a...

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...

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 a...

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 e...

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...

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 no...

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 Fitzsim...

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 th...

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 c...

In this episode of the Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline, lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons explains the legal implications of a seller consenting to receive a buyer’s inspection report—especially when that consent comes after a transaction has been terminated or the inspection contingency has been satisfied or waived. Topics covered include: • The role of Form 35 and Form 35CE • Legal consequences when a...

In this episode of the Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline, attorney Annie Fitzsimmons unpacks a recent question that highlights the legal and ethical boundaries of a buyer’s walkthrough. When does the buyer actually gain possession of the property? What can a buyer and their broker legally do before closing — and what crosses the line? This real-life scenario provides valuable insight for brokers...

In this episode of Legal Hotline, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons unpacks a real-life scenario involving self-dealing and a failure to disclose a conflict of interest. Learn how a listing broker’s decision to prioritize personal gain over client duty led to a lost sale—and discover how you can avoid similar legal and ethical missteps in your own practice. Key Topics Cov...

In this episode of the Legal Hotline, Washington Realtors® attorney Manny Fitzsimmons walks you through the correct use of Form 36 – the Counter Offer Addendum. Whether you’re a listing broker or a buyer’s agent, you’ll learn how to properly complete lines 3 and 4 to clearly identify parties and avoid costly confusion in your real estate transactions. Learn who signs as the “undersigned” Understan...

In this episode of Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline, Annie Fitzsimmons, our Legal Hotline Lawyer, explains critical upcoming forms revisions effective July 25, 2025, with a focus on referral fee disclosures. You’ll learn: When and how to disclose referral fees to clients Legal obligations under agency law How to use updated forms: Form 1A, 1A SWF, 41, 42C, and 11A What changes apply to listing b...