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March 17, 2026 Edition
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Member Updates
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Take the 2026 Washington REALTORS®
Member Survey
WE GIVE A &!#% ABOUT YOUR VOICE: MAKE SURE IT'S HEARD...
We need to hear from REALTORS® like you. Washington REALTORS® is conducting our annual member survey to help us serve you better. It only takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Members who complete the survey may choose to be entered in a drawing for one of five $100 gift cards. Take the survey now:
TAKE THE SURVEY
We have partnered with a survey research firm, Statara, to conduct the member survey. Your answers will be anonymous, and results will only be viewed in total. You can read more about Statara at https://statara.com/.
If you have any technical issues with the survey link, please email surveys@amstrat.com. If you have any questions for Washington REALTORS®, please contact info@warealtor.org. Thank you in advance for your participation!
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Complete Survey →
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Spring Conference is Just Around the Corner
TULALIP IS CALLING & SEATS ARE SELLING FAST
The buzz is building for the Washington REALTORS® 2026 Spring Conference and registration numbers are climbing fast! Early Bird pricing officially closes March 31, and once it’s gone, so is your chance for big savings.
This is one of the best opportunities all year to make new connections, exchange fresh ideas, and help shape the future of our association. The enhanced conference format returns with a general session, six learning breakouts, plus all your favorite signature events and meetings—every part of the conference is designed to ignite your professional growth.
Space is limited so act fast. Secure your seat today and be part of the action in Tulalip this spring!
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Register Today →
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CLOSING THE GAP...
Register for Draft Like a Lawyer Today
Many brokers can fill out statewide forms—far fewer can draft like a lawyer when a transaction calls for more than boilerplate language. Draft Like a Lawyer closes that gap. Building on the form‑by‑form knowledge from the Forms Deep Dive series (or what you may already know), this course shows you how to assemble forms into a cohesive agreement and how to write clear custom provisions when standard language doesn’t quite fit.
Through practical examples and real‑world scenarios, you’ll learn how attorneys interpret contract wording, where disputes commonly arise, and how precise drafting can reduce risk for your clients and your business.
If you’ve invested in Forms Deep Dive, Draft Like a Lawyer is the next layer needed to close any gaps. PLUS, this is a required prerequisite to the upcoming DLAL 2.0 course…
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Register Today →
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Share Your Input: Department of Housing Task Force Survey Open Now
The Washington State Department of Commerce is asking you to share your experiences with housing in Washington. Your feedback will help inform the Department of Housing Task Force report, which will provide recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on how to structure a new Department of Housing, which will serve as the state's coordinating and problem-solving hub to ensure adequate housing supply and housing stability for everyone in Washington.
TAKE THE SURVEY
In December 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed executive order 25-12 creating the Department of Housing Task Force. The Task Force's final report is due November 15, 2026, and will be submitted to the Governor and the Washington State Legislature for consideration. For more information on this effort, visit the Department of Housing Task Force webpage.
The survey will take about 15 minutes and is open to anyone who is interested now through April 26. No names or personally identifying information will be collected.
Submissions are public records and may be subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act.
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Take the Survey→
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN!
Next Session with Scott Richard: AI Research for Smarter Decisions
Two sessions down and there's still a TON to learn. There’s still time to join the Washington REALTORS® CE series, AI for Real Estate Professionals, and catch tomorrow's session, AI Research — Smarter Real Estate Decisions.
In this session you'll learn how artificial intelligence can help you analyze market data faster, interpret trends with confidence, and make smarter decisions for your clients. No tech background is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to explore tools that are changing how REALTORS® work.
Sessions run every Wednesday through April 1, and you must complete at least three to earn CE credit. Register here ASAP!
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Register Here→
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Did You Know?
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You Can Help Shape the Conversation at NAR
NAR’s Influencer Program gives engaged members early access into timely talking points and ready-to-share social content so you can confidently speak to what’s happening in real estate and at the association. Influencers are invited into conversations with NAR leadership, will receive an exclusive weekly newsletter, and quarterly conference call opportunities that include previews of NAR communication plans, resources, and networking opportunities with fellow Influencers.
If you love sharing industry news with your network and want to stay ahead of the rest, learn more and get started here.
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Learn More →
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Learn More...
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We Give a &!#% About Your Voice
Real estate may be built on relationships, but it’s shaped by policy. The laws passed at the local and state levels impact your business, your clients, and your ability to serve your community. That’s why Washington REALTORS® is at the forefront of legislative efforts—ensuring your voice is heard where it matters most.
Your dues don’t just fund an association; they power a movement—one that defends your industry and your livelihood.
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Legal Hotline Q&A of the Week
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Question
On 1.9.26 you answered the question of whether a Buyer may have waived their inspection contingency per the form 35 by Broker disclosing details about the condition (that were found during the inspection) in conversation or in a written email. I appreciated your response that the boiler plate language of Form 35 states that a waiver only occurs if portions of the inspection report are delivered to the Seller. My additional question is whether you recommend any caution in frankly discussing details that were found in the inspection in spoken communication or via email in negotiating the 35R process, or whether you believe it is acceptable and looking out for Buyer's interest to be frank and clear about this with the Seller. I would appreciate any recommendations and advice you have on communicating about the condition of the property during the 35R process.
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Answer
The only answer the Legal Hotline lawyer can give is that the boiler plate language in Form 35 does not prohibit frank conversation between the brokers regarding the condition of seller's property SO LONG AS buyer broker does not deliver any portion of buyer's inspection report without seller's prior consent. Different brokers are going to choose, based on their negotiation style and buyer's preferences, how to negotiate buyer's request for revisions. While some brokers will believe it is best to tell LB everything BB and buyer know about the property, with hopes of overwhelming seller into agreement to the concessions sought by buyer, other BBs will believe that it is best to preserve seller's good will by treating seller the way they would like to be treated if they were selling. Both strategies have their pros and cons and if every transaction could be surveyed, there would certainly be examples of negotiations where each approach succeeded and failed.
While this question seeks guidance on the best negotiation strategy, which is not something the Legal Hotline lawyer can provide, there is a simple truth that is borne out of experience. When a buyer broker discusses with listing broker, in written or spoken conversation, conditions of seller's property beyond those that are the subject of buyer's request for concessions, LB will very often be angered and take the approach that buyer waived the inspection contingency. Even if LB is wrong, the relationship between brokers and thus, the relationship between the parties, takes a negative turn. Soured negotiations are never helpful to a successful transaction. Soured negotiations may be overcome but typically create difficulty that would best be avoided, if possible.
Again, the Hotline lawyer cannot and will not state that buyer broker must refrain from sharing information beyond the basis for buyer's request for concessions but every buyer broker should pause and consider, in each transaction, how BB's sharing of information may help or hurt buyer's negotiations with seller. When this negotiation question is presented for BB's and buyer's consideration, it is at a time in the transaction when buyer is likely attempting to get seller to agree to a concession. Buyer and BB must consider the best way to get seller to yield to buyer's request. BB should not assume that the same negotiation strategy is the best in every transaction, with every seller and with varying conditions of homes. Rather, BB and buyer should evaluate, in each individual transaction, the strategy that is likely to have the best outcome and BB should deliver as much information to seller as buyer instructs, based on buyer's and BB's thoughtful strategy.
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Printable PDF →
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The Legal Hotline Lawyer does not represent Washington REALTORS® or its members. The advice contained herein does not constitute legal counsel. To browse through our database of past Q & A’s, visit warealtor.org/legal-hotline. Attorney Annie Fitzsimmons writes the Legal Hotline Question and Answer of the Week. This is a WR members-only benefit so you will be prompted to log in with your M1 number and password. Your Designated Broker is cc’d on Legal Hotline inquiries.
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AI Research- Smarter Real Estate Decisions
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 (1:00pm-2:00pm) 1.0 Hour Sessions (must attend 3 to earn CE credit)
Live Webinar
Learn More & Register
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Washington Real Estate Fair Housing - 3.0
Thursday, March 19th, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm) 3.0 CE Hours
Live Webinar
Learn More & Register
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Washington Real Estate Fair Housing - 3.0
Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm) 3.0 CE Hours
Live Webinar
Learn More & Register
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AI Knowledge- Data Extraction for Actionable Insights
Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 (1:00pm-2:00pm) 1.0 Hour Sessions (must attend 3 to earn CE credit)
Live Webinar
Learn More & Register
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Current Issues in WA Residential RE - 3.0
Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 (10:00am-1:00pm) 3.0 CE Hours
Live Webinar
Learn More & Register
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View All Upcoming Classes...
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#ICYMI...FRIDAY VIDEO
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WATCH LAST FRIDAY'S VIDEO
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
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LEGAL HOTLINE VIDEOS ARE MOVING...
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Legal Hotline videos will now be hosted on a new video platform inside the WR website, ensuring only current WR members have access to this valuable member benefit. You’ll still receive the video via email each week, however, you’ll need to log in to the WR website with your M1 number (formerly known as your NRDS number) to access the searchable library of videos. If you have any trouble logging in, please call us at 800.562.6024 or email frontdesk@warealtor.org.
Older legal hotline videos will continue be accessible on YouTube for a short period of time. Once all videos have been moved over and processed, the videos will no longer be accessible in the public YouTube platform.
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Catch up on past videos here...
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