Welcome to the
SEBAR Legal News Update featuring News that's Relevant to YOUR Business!


If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, please email
License Renewal Issues
 
If you are having difficulty with the new license renewal process, please reach out to Brian Westrin at bwestrin@mirealtors.com. We are working cooperatively with LARA to identify certain licenses that require additional attention. Please include in your email a direct phone number, the license number you are seeking to renew, and the relevant User ID and email associated with your account. We will do our best to resolve the issue. If you are new to the MiPlus system, please also review the following link for information on registration and renewal.
AVOID CHROME!
Members (especially those with a single license) are able to renew by using Safari or IE as a browser. Apparently Chrome is anti-renewal.
  LARA is recommending that all members register NOW!

Source: Michigan REALTORS® (MR)
First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Bills
Clear House Committee
 
The Michigan House Tax Policy Committee recently passed out Senate Bills 145 and 146, sponsored by Senator Ken Horn (R- Frankenmuth) and Senator Jim Runestad (R- White Lake). The bills would establish a tax incentivized savings account program for the purchase of first-time homes in Michigan. The accounts could be opened by an individual in their name, or in the name of a beneficiary. The bills now head to the floor for a vote by the full House of Representative.
 
Two additional bills, House Bills 4289 and 4290, Sponsored by Representative John Damoose (R- Harbor Springs) and Representative Mari Manoogian (D- Birmingham), await a vote in the Senate Finance committee. Floor votes in the House and Senate are the last step before heading to the Governor’s desk.
Source: Michigan REALTORS® (MR)
Real Estate Forms provided by Michigan REALTORS®

Did you know?? Your Michigan Realtors® membership gives you access to all the standard real estate forms and disclosure publications you need. 
 
To find out more click HERE
Source: Michigan REALTORS® (MR)
NAR Legal Guidance: Flood Insurance 
 
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., and it can impact your business as a real estate professional. Flooding is considered a material fact to a real estate transaction, and failure to disclosure flood damage can result in liability.


Source: National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
Michigan Realtors® Veteran Resources
 
Visit the Michigan Realtors® Veteran Resources page, which provides a one-stop location for members to connect their Veteran client with Veteran specific programs and services that may be of assistance in the homebuying process.
Source: Michigan REALTORS® (MR)
NAR - Window to the Law
Housing Vouchers and Fair Housing
Recent lawsuits alleging source of income discrimination for rejecting Section 8 tenants illustrate the importance of understanding and complying with state and local fair housing laws in addition to the federal Fair Housing Act. These best practices can help guide real estate professionals in this area.

Source: National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
Legal Lines - Question(s) of the Month
 
QUESTION: It is my understanding that a real estate licensee no longer has any responsibilities in connection with a closing handled by a title company. Is that true?
 
ANSWER: No. If a title company handles the closing, the closing statement need not be reviewed/signed by an associate broker. Licensees are still responsible for making sure that the transaction is closed in accordance with the purchase agreement. 
 
QUESTION: I am the listing broker. The title company will not provide me with a copy of the buyer’s Closing Disclosure. Aren’t they required to give me a copy so that I can make certain that the transaction is being closed in accordance with the purchase agreement?
 
ANSWER: No. A licensee’s obligation to supervise a transaction does not give the licensee a legal right to any particular document. Given the level of detail in the Closing Disclosure, it is understandable that a buyer might want that detail kept confidential. Listing brokers should be able to satisfy their obligation to confirm that the transaction is being closed in accordance with the purchase agreement by reviewing the seller’s closing statement.

DID YOU KNOW? Your Michigan Realtors® membership gives you direct, no-fee access to an attorney who is experienced in real estate law and its related issues. Get the counsel and guidance you need to practice your profession wisely. Call 800.522.2820.

For more legal resources, visit law.mirealtors.com

Source: Michigan REALTORS® (MR)
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
Code of Ethics Training Requirement

Current Cycle: Jan 1, 2019 through Dec 31, 2021

NAR's Board of Directors recently approved a change to the Code of Ethics training requirement, extending it from every two years to every three ears. This extends the current cycle deadline from Dec. 31, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2021.

REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 minutes of instructional time. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®.

Failure to complete the required periodic ethics training shall be considered a violation of a membership duty which will result in suspension of membership for not less than thirty (30) days. On March 1, 2022, the membership of a member who is still suspended as of that date will be automatically terminated.

As a friendly REMINDER,
The deadline is December 31, 2021 to fulfill this requirement.

The course is available on NAR’s website (www.nar.realtor) for no charge. Go to their website and look for Code of Ethics training.

If you have questions on whether you have fulfilled the Code of Ethics requirement, please feel free to email DBirkner@SEBrealtors.com

Thank you to our 2021 SEBAR Affiliate Partners ...

 Diamond Partners
Michigan Title Insurance Agency, Inc.
Rick Smith, Adam Drobet, Julie Wery
Pillar to Post
Steven Peterson

 Ruby Partners
First American Title Company
Frank Lucarelli, Angie McNeely
First Merchants Bank
Aaron Mason, Howard Roberts, Susan Roppel
Simple Mortgage
Dawn McCarty
 
Gold Partners
Accuspect Home Inspection Company
Dale Raines
Capital Mortgage Funding
Peter Zuk, Becky Alley
First National Home Mortgage
Mary Katsiroubas
Hondros College
Kevin Pasch
InsideOut Inspections Plus
Lori Pavlika, Nikki Mayes


 Silver Partners
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
Mark Light
America's Preferred Home Warranty
Tyler James
Downriver Profile
Robbin Moyer
Farm Bureau Insurance® - Robert J. Roll Agency
Robert Roll
Greenstone Farm Credit Services
Brian Young
Hassett Title Company
Jennifer Fountain, Dan Hassett, Doug Hassett, William Hassett
Land Home Financial Services
Bob Schivelbein, Edward Tilk
Lawyers Title of Monroe
Goran Cepo, Ann Hammack, Kendan Myers
Mortgage 1
Walter Tyslicki, Gary Swinney
Nations Lending
Tom Ciotti
Seagate Inspections Inc.
Jim Johnson
State Bank
John Ansara
TLC Community Credit Union
Sean Armstrong, Kristina Frank, Alycia Nichols
Today Magazines
Gina Guarisco
Trenton Trib
Beth Imes
Turn Key Title Agency LLC
Samuel Cummings
Union Home Mortgage
Kristian Bezeau, Jacob Boes, David Gano, Shannon Henegar Tom Ziegler
University Lending
Dan Voran, Michael Van Dusen, Donna Ferguson

We are grateful for your continued support of SEBAR!
Southeastern Border Association of REALTORS®
Shannon Harner, RCE, AHWD, e-PRO, CEO/Association Executive
Donna Birkner, e-PRO, Downriver Office Manager
Lisa Horvath, e-PRO, MLS Specialist
Jessica Lapp, e-PRO, Membership & Administrative Manager

Monroe Office
125 Cole Road
Monroe, MI 48162
734-242-6866

Downriver Office
Horizon Business Center West
20600 Eureka Road, Suite 510
Taylor, MI 48180
734-287-8060

Regular business hours for both SEBAR Offices are Monday through Friday (except holidays), from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.