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March 24, 2026 Edition
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Member Updates
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New State Law: Market All Residential Listings Publicly
On June 11, 2026, the following provision will be added to Washington’s Agency Law:
“A broker may not market the sale or lease of residential real estate to a limited or exclusive group of prospective buyers or brokers, or any combination thereof, unless the real estate is concurrently marketed to the general public and all other brokers, except as reasonably necessary to protect the health or safety of the owner or occupant. Marketing to the general public does not require an owner to allow access onto the residential real estate or into the residence.”
The Agency Law pamphlet will also be modified to include the following new section:
“Property Must Be Marketed Publicly. Brokers who represent a seller must market residential property to all members of the public and all other brokers and may not market the property to an exclusive group of buyers or brokers only, unless the health or safety of the owner or occupant requires.”
Brokers must deliver the revised pamphlet beginning June 11. Hard copies of the pamphlet should be destroyed on June 10.
The new statutory requirement will be enforced by the Department of Licensing and can form the basis of civil liability should a consumer sue a broker for violation of the law.
With all of that said, REALTORS should find compliance with the law quite manageable.
If a broker is a member of an MLS, broker complies with the law by listing residential property, for sale or lease, in the MLS simultaneously with any other marketing of the property. Listing the property in broker’s MLS should happen before or at the same time that broker discusses availability of the property with potential buyers or tenants, other brokers or promotes availability of the property in any other way. A broker is not restricted from seeking advice from broker’s managing broker regarding the listing or marketing of the property.
MLS policies that allow a delay between marketing and listing should be updated to comply with the law. However, the law controls, even if an unrevised MLS policy is more lenient.
If a property owner believes that the occupant’s health or safety prevents public marketing, property owner should give broker signed, written instructions to that effect. The instructions should not include medical or sensitive information. Broker and firm should retain the instructions in the firm’s transaction folder. Owner instructions claiming an exemption should be rare. If a broker’s listing files indicate a practice of owners instructing broker to claim an exemption, that would likely result in discipline.
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Download Bulletin PDF →
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Last Chance to Take the 2026 Washington REALTORS® Member Survey
We Give a &!#% About Your Voice
Today is your last chance! 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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Take the Survey →
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Confident, Defensible Drafting
Draft Like a Lawyer Seats are Filling Fast
You’ve learned what each statewide form says—now learn how to use them together to build the contract your clients actually need. Draft Like a Lawyer is an integrative, two‑day class that shows you how to construct a complete purchase and sale agreement from the “raw materials” of the forms: choosing the right combination, sequencing them properly, and drafting custom provisions when the transaction demands more than boilerplate terms.
Taught by WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons on April 29-30, this course is ideal for brokers who draft purchase agreements, manage transactions, or supervise others and want stronger contract skills and risk reduction.
Paired with the Forms Deep Dive series, and required before taking DLAL 2.0, this path takes you from technical form familiarity to confident, defensible drafting…
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Register Today →
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Applications for the 2026 Mongolian Homestay Program Closing Soon
Time’s running out to be part of this incredible international exchange! Washington REALTORS® is once again partnering with the Mongolia Ambassador Association and the Real Estate Academy of Mongolia for a one‑of‑a‑kind cultural experience. Six WR members will host six visiting real estate professionals from Mongolia, and spend time building global relationships, sharing business insights, and creating lifelong connections.
Hosting takes place April 11–14, starting with a Seattle hotel pick‑up and concluding at the WR Spring Business Conference in Tulalip. Spots are limited: apply ASAP to join this unforgettable global exchange!
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Register Today →
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Last Chance for Early Bird Rates!
We’re counting down the days until Spring Conference and registration is filling fast! Early Bird pricing ends March 31, so this week is your final chance to lock in a discounted price before rates increase.
This conference is an opportunity for connection, collaboration, and professional growth. With the general session, six engaging learning breakouts, and all your favorite signature events and meetings, you’ll walk away energized and better equipped to thrive in 2026. Don’t wait—early bird pricing ends soon, and seats are limited.
Register now and check out an event promo below - you won't want to miss this event!
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Register Here→
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Did You Know?
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Move More This Spring with the Active&Fit Direct Program™
Memberships start at just $28/month and give you access to thousands of top gyms like 24 Hour Fitness®, Crunch Fitness®, Anytime Fitness®, and more. Plus, you get 10–50% off leading health brands, 1‑on‑1 well‑being coaching, and thousands of free on‑demand workouts—all with no long‑term contracts or hidden fees.
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Learn More →
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We Give a &!#%
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We Give a &!#% About Your Success
Success in real estate isn't just about working hard—it's about having the right support system in place. Washington REALTORS® is here to provide the tools and resources you need to thrive, no matter where you are in your career. That includes Education & Training, the Legal Hotline, and other Business Tools, all meant to help you work smarter, close stronger, and build a thriving business.
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Legal Hotline Q&A of the Week
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Question
I would love to get your opinion on this scenario: The BBC on the BBSA is 10 bananas and that same amount is on the PSA. However, later in the transaction there is an opportunity for the Buyer Broker to receive more, can the buyer and buyer broker amend the 41 with a 41A changing the amount that they receive to be 11 bananas? This verbiage in the BBSA makes me believe this is acceptable. "amount set forth in this Section 5 or any subsequent amendment hereto."
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Answer
Any contract can be amended by agreement of the parties. The Form 41 CAN be amended, to include the amount of compensation, if the parties agree. The better question is "should buyer broker increase the amount of compensation that buyer broker will receive?" Recall that buyer and buyer broker agreed that the value of broker's services was 10 bananas. Broker provided those services and found property for buyer. Based on the fact pattern, broker is now suggesting that although broker's services are worth 10 bananas, broker is going to amend the contract and obligate buyer to pay broker 11 bananas.
Is broker providing more services than originally agreed? If not, if broker is providing the same services as originally agreed, then how can it be okay for broker to suddenly increase the amount of compensation required for broker's services? The question describes an "opportunity". What is that opportunity? Would that opportunity just as easily translate to a credit to buyer at closing rather than increased compensation to broker? If so, that is what broker SHOULD recommend to buyer. Broker's recommendation might sound something like: "We have an opportunity where there is more money on the table than we had anticipated. Let's negotiate to see if those extra funds can be used to decrease your out of pocket at closing."
There is an easy answer to the "can" question. Broker and DB should work together to formulate the answer to the better, and more difficult, "should" question.
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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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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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AI Marketing — Content Creation for Real Estate Professionals
Wednesday, April 1st, 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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Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing - 3.0
Friday, April 10th, 2026 (9:00am-12:00pm) 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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