Member Updates

DRAFT LIKE A LAWYER 2025

Forms Shouldn’t Be a Guessing Game

If you’re struggling with accurate form usage, Draft Like a Lawyer is here to help. Join us Sept. 3-4 at the Sea-Tac Airport Conference Center for a hands-on class that gives you the tools (and the confidence) to draft with purpose. Plus, you’ll earn up to 16 CE credits and learn directly from Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons. Space is limited, register today!

And don't forget, this class is a prerequisite to our upcoming Draft Like a Lawyer 2.0 course!

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Ignite is BACK... Save the Date!

Ignite is a one-day, high-impact leadership event focused on personal and professional growth. Whether you're already in a leadership role or just beginning to explore your potential, this experience will help you strengthen your leadership skills and unlock your full potential.

Join us on October 30th at the Museum of Flight in Seattle for a day of inspiration and development! Sign up for a day of fast-paced, high-energy fun. Participate, connect, and end the day with a chill networking cocktail hour (included in your registration)!

Sign-Up Here →

GET INVOLVED

Learn More About the Mongolia Homestay Program & Apply Today

Don't let this amazing opportunity pass you by! We've partnered with the Mongolia Ambassador Association and the Real Estate Academy of Mongolia for the 2025 Homestay Program. This brings six visitors from Mongolia to stay with six local members; a unique opportunity to build a global network, advance your professional growth, and showcase the value of international partnerships... interested in learning more?

Learn More & Apply →

Monthly Research Summary from NAR

Did you know that each month, NAR produces a Research Update report that provides a summary of the data, reports, blog posts, and instant reactions produced by NAR's research team? You can use existing-home sales and pending home sales data to gauge current demand trends and anticipate market shifts and much more. Check it out today!

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RE MAGAZINE SPOTLIGHT

7 Things Real Estate Agents Need to Know About Middle Housing – NOW!

With major zoning changes underway in Washington, REALTORS® need to understand how Middle Housing, like ADUs and duplexes, could impact property values, listings, and client questions. This in-depth article by Denise Lones breaks down seven key things you should know right now. Read more to stay confident and informed!

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Did You Know?

Your Membership Can Save You & Your Clients up to 35% on Car Rentals with Budget!

As a WR and NAR member, your benefits help you save up to 35% on car rentals at Budget. Plus, you can extend this benefit to your clients! Provide them with the exclusive discount code BCD#Y490606 to help them save up to 35% off car rentals, too.

Learn More & Save →

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Legal Hotline Q&A of the Week

Question

Does executing a Form 90B "Notice of Termination for Failure to Pay Earnest Money" waive a seller's right to sue buyer for default of a contract when the buyer fails to deposit earnest money?

Answer

In reality, in most residential transactions, it will be difficult for seller to recover damages from buyer if seller terminates the transaction based on buyer's failure to deliver earnest money. Does the fact that seller terminates the PSA because of buyer's failure to deliver EM necessarily preclude seller from suing buyer for damages from buyer's breach of contract? No. As in all questions related to the expected legal outcome of a transaction or a failed transaction, the actual facts matter.

Was this a sale that seller terminated on the third day following mutual acceptance or had this sale persisted for months with a number of interactions, some costly to seller, prior to seller's termination? Those two different transactions will result in very different arguments to a court with the potential for two different outcomes. Neither broker nor the Hotline lawyer can give seller an answer to this question that is accurate for all fact patterns. Instead, seller needs the advice of seller's lawyer. Seller's lawyer will consider all of the actual facts relevant to this question, apply those facts to Washington law and give seller a range of potential outcomes that seller may then consider in determining how to proceed. Neither broker nor the Hotline lawyer can assist seller with that analysis. Thus, if seller wants to terminate the PSA only if seller retains a viable claim against buyer for damages related to buyer's breach of contract, then broker should advise seller to seek legal counsel BEFORE seller terminates the PSA.

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