Recently we discussed Washington becoming a Broker Only State starting on July 1st and for the most part, this is a good thing and I welcome the ‘heightened degree of supervision’ promised by this move.
However, as with most government agencies, the Department of Licensing for our fair state has elected to once again put their proverbial hair in the soup with this little change.
Due to some loophole somewhere, the Department of Licensing has decided that a real estate team may not use an assumed name that has the word real estate, realty, realtor or firm in its name.
Furthermore, the terms LLC, LLP or Corp. may no longer be used either. Putting this into context, you may no longer market or advertise yourself as a real estate team that gives the public reason to think you run your own agency.
Although there is an option to apply for an assumed name license with the state and pay the $200 processing fee, your Brokerage may retains the rights to your name…even if you leave that agency! Does the public really need to be protected this much from us mean and scary real estate agents Brokers? And, do we in the industry really need this much supervision?
Are the Rules, Codes and Laws in your State like this? What makes you crazy about your states licensing laws. Lets hear from you!
