New Administrative Rules Effective January 1

The agency filed new and amended permanent rules in Division 14 (new licensing division for real estate brokers, principal brokers and sole practitioners), Division 15 (regulations for brokers), Division 24 (new licensing division for property managers), Division 25 (regulations for property managers), Division 27 (new division on investigations and progressive discipline for all brokers and property managers), and Division 50 (regulations for escrows and escrow agents). The rules can be accessed through the agency’s website.



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Further Explanation of Advertising Rule

OAR 863-015-0125 states that if a licensee uses the term "team" or "group" in advertising, the licensed name of each licensee in the team or group must be used in such advertising. This means all licensees in the "team" or "group." Advertising includes business cards, yard signs, newspaper advertisements, etc. The reason this is required is that the "team" or "group" name is not registered with the Agency. If someone calls in about a team or group, the Agency needs the names of the licensees in that team or group to look up information.

Rule Change: Temporary Authorization To Supervise Business

Principal brokers, sole practitioner brokers, or property managers who wish to temporarily designate someone to run their real estate or property management business need to be aware of a rule change.

As of January 1, 2009, a principal real estate broker can only delegate authorization rights to another principal real estate broker, a sole practitioner broker can only delegate authorization rights to another sole practitioner broker or to a principal real estate broker, and a property manager can delegate authorization rights to another property manager, a principal real estate broker or a sole practitioner broker.

Per OAR 863-014-0085 or OAR 863-024-0085, the "Temporary Authorization Delegation Form" is required to be used to delegate authority to control and supervise real estate or property management activity for a specified period of time, which may not exceed 90 days. The form MUST be submitted prior to the authorization period.

Agency Now Accepting License Transfer Forms By Fax

After a three month trial period, the Licensing Division is now officially accepting the License Transfer Form by fax. We ask that if you do fax in a transfer form, please:

• Wait for at least 30 minutes before calling to check to see if it was received
• Only fax it once
• Do not mail the original

Real Estate Board Elections

Art Kegler was elected chair and Lee Dunn vice-chair for 2009 at the Board’s December 1, 2008 meeting. The first meeting of 2009 will begin at 10 a.m. February 2 in Salem. Watch our website, for additional information.

2009 Board Meeting Schedule

• April 6 – Salem
• June 1 – Baker City (hosted by the Baker County Board of Realtors®)
• August 3 - Salem
• October 5 – Hood River/The Dalles (hosted by the Mid-Columbia Board of Realtors®)
• December 7 – Portland area (hosted by the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors®)

Agency Staff Changes

Kathy Forstrom, Public Service Representative in the Land Development Division, retired December 31 after two and one-half years with the agency. Kathy plans to spend time travelling with her husband.

Stacey Harrison was hired to fill the vacancy created with Kathy’s retirement. Stacey comes to the agency with a strong background in escrow.

Joyce Pierce, Investigator/Auditor in the Regulation Division, accepted a position with the Division of Finance and Corporate Securities of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. Her last day was December 31. She has been with the agency four years.

The agency wishes both Kathy and Joyce well, and welcomes Stacey.

Fraud Alert

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), recently issued a “fraud alert” regarding the use of fraudulent promissory notes and bonds to attempt to purchase both real and personal property. The alert was originally issued directly to the National Association of Realtors® and was not posted to the Department’s website.

The fraudulent documents are not referenced as “U.S. Treasury” bonds or promissory notes but referenced as “personal promissory note” and “private offset bond.” However, they have the name of Henry Paulson, Secretary, U.S. Treasury on the face of the documents

The only type of hard copy bond issued by the U.S. Treasury that a citizen can purchase today is a savings bond. All other bonds are electronic and the buyer would not receive a hard copy document. Finally, Paulson’s name should not appear on any document listed as a private bond or promissory note since these items are not backed or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.

Information regarding this type of activity should be reported to the OIG hotline at 1-800-359-3898 or e-mailed to Hotline@oig.treas.gov. Additional information on this and other similar fraud schemes can be found at Dept. of Treasury

In This Issue

• New Admin Rules
• Advertising Rule
• Rule Change
• License Transfer Forms
• Board Elections
• Board Meeting Schedule
• Agency Staff Changes
• Fraud Alert

Contact Us

1177 Center ST NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)378-4170

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