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Can A Realtor Have A Felony Record?
Can a Realtor have a felony record? Well, there’s one way to find out; you can go to this link at the California Department of Real Estate License Lookup, also known as the DRE. You fill out a name or a license number.
When we receive an offer on a property, I always check the license number on the DRE site. I can make sure they have a license that is valid without any disciplinary issues or suspensions. If there are court records, you will find those documents attached. Then, the next step is MLS online to look up a buyer’s agent production numbers. It is important to know whether this is a newer agent and or does the agent have enough transactions completed to work without supervision.
On one occasion I found an older license number but only a few closed escrows. I looked up the agent and she had been suspended for several years for burglary. Yup, I’m serious. It is a bit shocking. There was a local sting operation and this Realtor was selling stolen property to law enforcement, according to the court documents. I thought to myself, how can the DRE give this person an ability to enter people’s homes with a Supra key? I closed a real estate transaction with this Realtor. Making the seller aware of the situation was completed. As it was a vacant house, the seller was not overly concerned in this case.
In another instance, I saw a posting of an open house, and I noticed it was a broker who had been previously arrested, as it was on the news. Another Realtor working with this firm also had a theft conviction, as stated on the DRE site, and was reissued a license. I called the DRE, as I was curious about this. There is a section they directed me to read up on called rehabilitation. Department of Real Estate Commissioner’s Regulation 2911. Criteria for Rehabilitation (Denial). This is surprising information. If there is a criminal issue, it will be attached to the license on the DRE link so you can read all about it. In this 2911 section, it even talks about money laundering. I think some sellers would have an issue with a convicted felon having the ability to enter an owner-occupied home.
This was surprising to me. Though we have our fingerprints taken for a background check to apply for a state license, it appears convicted felons can obtain a real estate license in California. Burglary, theft, what’s next? Murder? I would think convicted felons would be denied a license. If they have enough time past the crime, are off probation or parole and have letters of recommendation, it appears in some cases they can obtain a restricted license. Then, after a year or two with no issues, they can apply to have their real estate license fully reinstated without a restricted license.
Can a Realtor have a felony record? It appears lawbreakers can. I am aware of a few agents who have reported burglary convictions and hold active real estate licenses. A suggestion, if you are concerned, you can look up the Realtor you are working with to ensure you are aware of any past or current issues with the DRE. This way you can decide if a criminal history is concerning to you.
Call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors, with RE/MAX Gold, if you would like to buy or sell real estate. You can look up any of our license numbers on our team with confidence. We look forward to working with you in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Amador, Sutter and Nevada counties. We can be reached at 916-233-6759.
— JaCi Wallace
Is Martin Luther King Day a Realtor Holiday?
Is Martin Luther King Day a Realtor holiday? This day began like any other day, hustle and bustle. We have a new Carmichael listing coming soon and we were busy getting the agreement signed. There are some legal overlays, so an attorney had to review. Both sellers have to sign it. We should be in MLS on market status by Friday. What a beautiful property, and be sure to read that post in a Coming Soon listing blog promotion. We should have photos next week.
Also, we received an offer on our Oak Park listing on 48th today, so we responded right away with a seller counter offer. Our escrows needed updating as they are in process. With appraisals due next week, we have our handyman getting them ready with smoke detectors and CO2 detectors.
My nephew is home shopping and so is my niece Adina, so it has been busy searching high and low online for a property because we are plagued with very low inventory.
It was like any other workday, except title company and lenders were closed for business so the phones were a bit quieter than usual. Is Martin Luther King Day a Realtor Holiday? The answer to this is NO, there is no Realtor holiday when there is work to do.
If you would like to have a Realtor working for you who works on all federal and national holidays, call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors, with RE/MAX Gold. We can be reached seven days per week at 916-233-6759.
— JaCi Wallace
The Life Of an Elk Grove Realtor Without Sick Leave
The life of an Elk Grove Realtor with the flu doesn’t include sick leave. The work has to be completed. People’s lives depend on their Realtor. The laptop has helped so much as we can at least be comfortable propped up with pillows. Many people in various professions who are sick still go to work as they need their paycheck. Many people do not have sick leave. Self-employed business owners work no matter what.
At least when I’m sick and working from home, I’m not having to go into the office to make others sick. My sick leave is staying home to work. Who knows if these bugs are contagious? Rest is important, so . . . a short and sweet blog tonight. Long days this week and several offers came in today on our listings. The life of an Elk Grove Realtor is busy and rewarding, even with the flu.
The Sacramento probate properties have a few offers this week, too, so it is very busy in December so far. If you want to hire a hardworking team to represent your property, contact Weintraub & Wallace Realtors with RE/MAX Gold. We can be reached at 916-233-6759.
— JaCi Wallace
A Realtor’s Annual Physical
A Realtor’s annual physical is always interesting. To learn all the things about your health is always interesting. You learn so much about how to improve all of your scores on the health profile.
What is important is that you have a physical and compare how other people you know with health issues are trying to improve their health.
If you are a Realtor and want to sell real estate for a very long time, a good idea is to complete a Realtor’s annual physical.
If you are interested in selling your real estate, please call Weintraub & Wallace Team with RE/MAX Gold at 916-233-6759.
— JaCi Wallace
Will Discount Internet Real Estate Bokerages Replace Local Realtor Expert?
Will discount internet real estate brokerages replace local Realtor experts? We recently took a listing as a seller found us online. She had previously been on the market three months. Poor seller made the mistake of hiring a discount internet Realtor.
She said they told her to buy a vendor combination key box, and she made flyers and showed the property. The property sat for these months while the seller made three house payments, paid HOA fees, utilities and maintenance costs. These ongoing expenses were triple the amount she potentially would have saved. If a property doesn’t sell with a discount brokerage, it doesn’t mean much. Happens a lot.
We took the listing, immediately staged the home and started our complete marketing plan. Our open houses generated several opportunities and we put the house in escrow within 30 days with a fabulous offer. The seller was thrilled and so appreciative. The best money she spent was . . . wait for it, hiring a quality local area real estate team!
Will discount internet real estate brokerages replace a local Realtor expert? Not likely. Self help real estate does not work. We were thrilled to sell this property for the seller.
If you would like to buy or sell a real property, call Weintraub & Wallace Realtors with REMAX Gold. We can be reached at 916-233-6759.
– JaCi Wallace
