Member Updates

Fair Housing Starts With You - Get the Resouces You Need!

We recognize Fair Housing Month each April to reaffirm our commitment to equal housing opportunities for all. Washington REALTORS® has compiled 2025 WR and NAR resources to help you show your support, including free Fair Housing posters, in-person and virtual trainings, toolkits, social media graphics, and more!

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TAKE ACTION

Respond NOW to Our Call to Action

Senate Bill 5798 is a threat to homeowners in Washington State.

It will increase property taxes based on population growth and inflation, making it harder for families to afford homes. As a REALTOR®, you know the importance of a healthy real estate market. This bill could harm your clients and, by extension, the real estate industry.

We need your help to oppose Senate Bill 5798 and protect current homeowners' and future homebuyers. Here’s how you can help:

Contact your Legislator: Make your voice heard! This bill will hurt the real estate market and make homes less affordable. Click the button below to send a position letter and share your concerns with your legislators.

As a REALTOR®, you help families achieve their dreams. Let’s work together to keep homeownership affordable and accessible for everyone.

Oppose Senate Bill 5798 to avoid the costly impacts of this policy. Thank you for your support and for being a member of Washington Realtors®.

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Early Bird Pricing Ends Soon... Secure Your Spot at Spring Conference Today!

Don't miss your chance to join us April 23-25, 2025, at Tulalip Resort Casino for the 2025 Spring Conference! This conference is your opportunity to engage with peers, participate in important discussions, and contribute to the direction of Washington REALTORS®. Don't miss your chance - secure your spot at a discounted price today!

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VOTING OPENS TOMORROW

Vote for Your Favorite 30 Under 30 Finalist TOMORROW!

Last week we announced Bella Chaffey Lakic with the Seattle King-County REALTORS®, Haydn Halsted with Spokane REALTORS®, Kyle Maple with the Snohomish County REALTORS®, and Olivia Statham of the Whatcom County REALTORS® as some of this year’s NAR 30 Under 30 finalists! These REALTORS® have thrived through housing shortages, a pandemic, and industry shifts—all while putting their clients and communities first.

NOW... THEY NEED YOUR VOTES!

Starting tomorrow, April 2nd, you can vote for your favorite finalist, the finalist with the most votes secures a guaranteed spot in the 30 Under 30 class of 2025! Voting closes April 9th, so don’t miss your chance to make an impact!

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GET INVOLVED!

Junior Achievement Volunteer Opportunities

Whether you're in-classroom or at the JA Education Center, volunteering with Junior Achievement is a rewarding experience where you’ll help students apply financial literacy, career readiness, and leadership skills in a hands-on, real-world setting! If you or your team are interested in volunteering this spring, sign up using the link below!

Sign-up Here→

Did You Know?

You Can Stay Ahead with Classes from The CE Shop!

Setting aside time for in-person courses can feel overwhelming during your busiest seasons, that's why Washington REALTORS® is partnered with The CE Shop, the leader in online real estate education, to provide you with the highest quality Continuing Education courses!

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Legal Hotline Q&A of the Week

Question

Form 41 (BBSA) section 7 references "cancellation without legal cause." It states that if a Buyer cancels without legal cause, Buyer may be liable for damages. Our broker has a Buyer attempting to cancel without legal cause. The broker wishes to charge the Buyer a "cancellation fee". The Broker, however, did not write in additional terms regarding a cancellation fee up front, therefore the Buyer is stating that they should not have to pay a fee to cancel. 1) What is your opinion about the Broker's right to set a cancellation fee, at the time a cancellation has been requested, in order to agree to the cancellation? The contract is silent on cancellation fees, but the Broker has stated they have incurred damages as a result of the cancellation. 2) In your opinion, what would be considered "damages"?

Answer

The answer to this question must begin with the fact that buyer has no automatic right to cancel the contract. The response from the buyer broker and the firm, to the buyer, could be that buyer is obligated to the terms of the contract and thus, buyer cannot terminate, period. If buyer purchases property subject to the brokerage services agreement, buyer owes compensation to the firm and if buyer fails to pay the required compensation, buyer will be in breach. If buyer breaches the brokerage services agreement, the firm's damages include the compensation owing under the agreement. Understanding all of this as the operation of the contract makes understanding the question simpler.

However, if instead of refusing to allow the buyer to terminate the buyer brokerage agreement, the firm entertains the buyer's request to terminate, the firm can set terms that will allow the termination. Thought of differently, the firm and the buyer can agree to "settle" the firm's claim for breach of contract by agreeing to a sum that is less than the damages will be if buyer breaches the contract. That lesser sum can be any amount agreed by the parties and if the parties cannot agree, then the buyer brokerage services agreement remains in effect, obligating buyer to the compensation terms established in the agreement.

Buyer is correct that there is not a cancellation fee established in the Form 41 BBSA. That is because the Form 41 BBSA has no provision allowing the buyer to unilaterally cancel the contract. This buyer seeks an outcome that is not contemplated by the terms of agreement and thus, achieving that outcome requires a new negotiation and a new agreement. As part of that new negotiation, the firm may suggest a cancellation fee acceptable to the firm and if buyer agrees, the firm and the buyer can agree to cancel the BBSA in exchange for buyer's payment of that cancellation fee even though no cancellation fee is referenced in the Form 41 BBSA. If buyer and broker cannot agree, then again, the BBSA will remain in effect.

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