Board Wins National Award

The North Carolina Real Estate Licensing Board has been named winner of the 1980 Division A Education Award presented by the National Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. This award recognizes outstanding achievement by real estate commissions and licensing boards in the area of real estate education.

The award followed an evaluation of the various education and information programs conducted by the North Carolina Real Estate Licensing Board for real estate agents, consumers, and applicants for real estate licenses. These programs include publication of a real estate textbook, a quarterly bulletin, and a manual for high school students. The Board has also developed a standardized curriculum for the more than 90 schools which offer pre-license real estate courses, and instructors for these courses must be certified by the Board. The Real Estate Licensing board also sponsors workshops for real estate instructors and provides financial support for research projects relating to the real estate business.

Other award winners were the Kentucky Real Estate Commission in Division B and the New Mexico Real Estate Commission in Division C.

Board Presents Program To Realtors

The Real Estate Licensing Board presented a program entitled "Pitfalls to Avoid-Problems and Complaints" to the North Carolina Association of REALTORS at their 59th Annual Convention in Charlotte.

Board Member B. Hunt Baxter, Jr. began the 90-minute program by introducing the members of the Real Estate Licensing Board and staff and by outlining the primary functions and responsibilities of the Board. Harry H. Harkins, Jr., the Board's legal counsel, then presented several examples of the types of complaints frequently filed against real estate brokers and salesmen, and the audience was given an opportunity to make comments and ask questions of Mr. Harkins and the Board.

Also during the program, Board Chairman Brantley Poole and Board Member A. P. Carlton made a special presentation to former Board Member J. Bart Hall of Belmont in recognition of his 15 years service on the Real Estate Licensing Board.

Mr. Hall was a member of the first Real Estate Licensing Board appointed by Governor Hodges in 1957. He served as a member (and Chairman) of the Board until 1972

Mr. Hall's wife, Virginia, was present for the surprise presentation.

The Real Estate Licensing Board is stepping up its efforts to prevent unlicensed persons from engaging in real estate brokerage. This action is in response to what appears to be an increase in the number of incidents of unlicensed real estate activity, especially in resort developments where condominiums and vacation homes are offered for sale or rent (including "time share" sales).

To better assess the magnitude of the problem and to warn potential buyers of some of the risks involved in dealing with unlicensed persons, the Board prepared a press release which was distributed to more than 60 North Carolina newspapers. In addition, the North Carolina Association of REALTORS carried the article in their publication, the Tar Heel REALTOR, to encourage licensed brokers and salesmen to report any suspected cases of unlicensed activity. As a result of this publicity, a number of reports of alleged unlicensed activity have been received by the Board and are now under investigation.

Persons who are aware of or suspect such violations are asked to notify the Licensing Board office.