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Summer 2019 | Volume # | Issue #
DC Real Estate Commission
During FY19 the Commission has continued its efforts to strengthen regulatory requirements for property managers, expand its educational offerings, enforce licensure law, and oversee the Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund. This past February, I provided testimony before the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization and the Honorable Anita Bonds, Committee Chairperson. During the testimony, Chairperson Bonds charged the Commission with expanding access to information and resources to keep the public more informed. In response to this charge, the Commission established a Consumer Education and Consumer Protection component to its website to offer more resources and keep the public informed about deceptive and fraudulent real estate business practices in the District of Columbia. This newsletter serves as an additional educational resource to keep licensees and the public informed on the work and activities of the Commission, including disciplinary actions and legislative and regulatory issues.
Sincerely,
Frank Pietranton
Salesperson License Renewal Starts August 31, 2019
Begin the renewal process online at http://www.dcopla.com/realestate.
1. Under “Licensing Services,” choose “click here.”
2. Under “Login,” click “Forgot your password?” If you already have an account, use your existing login information.
3. Enter your license number as your User ID (include letters and numbers with no spaces).
4. Check your e-mail inbox for a link to reset your password (also check your Spam/Junk folder).
5. Follow the prompts to create a new password.
6. Log in to the system using your license number and new password.
7. Once logged in, under My Applications, select applications and scroll down to your license number and select renewal application.
8. Click “Begin or continue” to proceed to the renewal application.
9. You have the option to renew or place the license on Paid Inactive. You must select renew or paid inactive option prior to proceeding to the next step. If you select Paid Inactive, you will have up to 5 years to reactivate your license and meet continuing education requirements.
10. Answer the screening questions and follow the prompts to upload documents and make payment.
11. All licensees must upload a 2”x 2” “passport-style” photo on a plain white background—a front-facing photo of only yourself. Cell phone photos showing only the licensee are acceptable. Do not take a picture of a passport or existing professional or driver’s license.
12. All Continuing Education (CE) requirements must be completed prior to submitting the renewal application.
Pursuant to DCMR Section 2605, the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Commission) mandates a total of 15 hours of continuing education hours to renew your license, unless this is your first renewal of a license granted by examination. Note: All CEs must be completed by August 31, 2019 and must have been completed during the period of September 1, 2017 through August 31, 2019.
The 15 CE credit hours consist of the following courses:
- 3 hours of DC Fair Housing
- 3 hours of DC Ethics
- 3 hours of DC Legislative Update
- 6 hours of General Electives
DC Code Section 47-2853.17(a)(1) provides disciplinary action for “Knowingly provides false or misleading information on or in support of an application or renewal application.”
Important: Your license will not be renewed until the required photo is uploaded. If further review results in a need for additional documentation, an email will be sent to you requesting required information. If you encounter any issues with this process or have questions, please contact a customer service representative at 1-866-270-9817.
New Board Members
Elizabeth Blakeslee
In 1990, Elizabeth started a career as a residential real estate agent. As a natural progression that mirrored her significant record of community service activities, she became involved with Realtor Associations at the local, state, and national level. In addition to serving on many Realtor Association Committees and Boards of Directors, Elizabeth was proud to lead the DC real estate community as President of the DC Association of Realtors (DCAR) in 2005, and to serve as a Regional Vice President for the National Association of Realtors in 2008. She continues her service to the industry working with the DCAR Realtor Political Action Committee and as State Political Coordinator for DC.
Elizabeth has always taken advantage of the training and educational opportunities available to agents, acquiring a Broker’s license and several designations. She gives back by mentoring agents in her office and is always ready to assist with office programs. In her leisure time, Elizabeth enjoys savoring the rich cultural menu of theater and music that Washington provides, as well as traveling to all manner of destinations. As a long-term Washingtonian, Elizabeth is committed to continuing her involvement with, and service to, both the professional community and the greater Washington, DC community.
Ericka S. Black
Ericka’s specialty is helping others, and she’s always had a keen interest in real estate. With financial discipline, she become a first-time homeowner in 2009. Using an aggressive saving strategy, Ericka and her husband, Anthonio F. Black, CPA, a native Washingtonian, invest in real estate to assist them with the high cost of living in DC. She feels financially empowered by having real estate assets and wants others to experience the same liberation. By taking an involved approach during her transactions, Ericka has an ongoing practical knowledge base about real estate. Her personal experience is an asset for guiding clients through the home buying and selling processes. As a top real estate professional in the DC Metropolitan Area, Ericka educates and empowers home buyers and sellers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration degree from North Carolina Central University. Prior to real estate, Ericka had the opportunity to work as a liaison for two elected officials. Ericka’s primary residence is in the Northeast corridor of Washington, DC. She is active in her community and a member of Gospel Truth Ministry. She loves spending time with family and friends, singing at her church, traveling, and reading personal finance books.
Fiscal Year 2018 Performance Oversight Hearing
Commission Chair Frank Pietranton testified at the fiscal year 2018 performance oversight hearing before the DC Council. Click here to read his testimony.
Consumer Alert - Online Rental Scams
Searching for apartments and housing online can be a convenient and efficient way to locate your next residence. This searching methods allows for the viewing of multiple property listings in a short timeframe and it also allows you to quickly secure housing in a competitive market. However, as with any online transaction, it is important to protect yourself.
Online apartment/housing seekers have become targets of scammers who are posing as licensed real estate agents, property managers, and property owners. These criminals are creating legitimate-looking online posts and leases for unavailable properties and are absconding with security deposits paid for the fraudulent property.
Here a few steps to protect yourself when search for an apartment/housing rental online:
1. Verify you are completing your transaction with a DC licensed real estate agent. To search for a DC Real Estate License, go to www.dcopla.com/realestate. You can search for an agent by license number or name under the “License Lookup” section.
2. Do as a much research as possible on the agent to verify their contact information (ex. email, telephone number, and office address). Simple web searches can reveal this information.
3. Request to view the property.
4. Whenever possible, avoid wire transfers or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFTs) and try to use alternatives like cashier’s checks; or make payments in person by check or credit card and get a receipt.
If you feel that you have been victimized, contact your financial institution immediately. The DC Real Estate Commission (DREC) has the authority to handle complaints against individuals licensed with DREC. If you are unsure if the individual is licensed, contact the DREC by mail, phone, email, or online verify a license.
DC Real Estate Commission
1100 4th Street, SW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20024
202-442-4320
Email: dcra.dcraopla@dc.gov
Online: https://www.dcopla.com/realestate
If the individual is not licensed, you can file a complaint with the DCRA Regulatory Investigations
Section (RIS):
1100 4th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-442-8676
Online: https://dcra.dc.gov/regulatory-investigations
Continuing Education
Steps for Licensees to view current transcript:
Brokers and Property Managers Please spend some time working through these steps. Your learning how to check your transcript saves us all some time.
1. Go to: https://www.dcopla.com/realestate/
2. On the right side of the screen under the blue header labeled “Licensing Services”. Click the hyperlink in this line: “To access the online portal, please click here.”
3. Once in the system “Register for an Account”, IF NECESSARY. Most likely, you are already in the system and do NOT need to create an account.
4. Once you have successfully registered for an account, sign back into the system and open the CURRENT application for licensure for the license type you currently hold.
5. The application will show what coursework is still outstanding in the “Complete Application Requirements” section.
6. If you find a discrepancy, CONTACT THE PROVIDER to get it reconciled.
Shown below is what you need to complete for the 2017 – 2019 licensing cycle:
- 3 hours Fair Housing
- 3 hours DC Legislative Update
- 3 hours Ethics
- 6 hours General Electives
- Attend Events
- DC Real Estate Commission Sponsored Seminar @ Gallaudet University, May 9, 2019
- Historic Preservation Seminar @ Gallaudet University, June 7, 2019
- Real Estate Educators Association (REEA)/ Austin, TX, June 27-July 1, 2019
- Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) Annual Conference/Denver, CO, September 18-21, 2019
Disciplinary Actions
Darrin Davis (broker) -- By Consent Order, the Commission imposed a fine of $3,000.00 for violations of DC Code Section 47-2853.197(10)”Failed, within a reasonable time, to account for or to remit any money, valuable document, or other property coming into his or her possession which belongs to others; and 17 DCMR Section 2614.4 “Supervision performed under this chapter shall be reasonable and adequate and shall be over the activities of the persons affiliated or registered with that office.” Additionally, respondent was ordered to complete an educational course on the subject of broker supervision.
Active License Count
Brokers- 1,908
Salesperson- 10,752
Property Managers- 662
Real Estate Organizations- 1,111
Ulani Gulstone, Esq.
Ulani Prater Gulstone was appointed as the Attorney Member to the DC Real Estate Commission in late 2013. Since that time, Ulani has been steadfast in her responsibilities as a Commission member and in representing the Commission with the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and other organizations. Ulani was recently appointed as Vice Chair of the Commission. Ulani has served on the Commission's Legal Committee since appointment, participating in the review of all legal matters. She has served as the Committee’s Chair for several years. For the past two years, Ulani has served on the Commission's Property Management Task Force which is responsible for developing revisions to the prelicensing subject area outlines for real estate brokers, salespersons, and property managers inclusive of community association management and continuing education requirements. Ulani currently serves on the Board of Directors of ARELLO and is chairing its Fair Housing Committee for a third term. She was commended at the ARELLO annual conference in St. Louis, MO and mid-year meeting in Salt Lake City, UT by President Anne Petit for the tremendous amount of work she has devoted to Fair Housing since joining the Committee. Ulani has also been a member of ARELLO’s Law and Regulation Committee for several years and has contributed to that Committee’s annual publication of ARELLO Recent Court Decisions and Law and Rule Changes. Ulani also currently serves on ARELLO's Licensure Portability Task Force. Ulani has practiced real estate law in the District of Columbia and Maryland since 2008.
Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) Annual Conference/Denver, CO, September 18-21, 2019 Register here
2019 COMMISSION MEETINGS
January 8
February 12
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11
July 9
August- Recess
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10
COMMISSION CONTACT INFORMATION:
Website - https://www.dcopla.com/realestate
Customer Service - 866-270-9817
Exam Scheduling - Salesperson, Broker, Property Manager - 800-733-9267
Email - dcra.dcraopla@dc.gov
Fax - 202-698-4329
DCRA - 1100 4th Street, SW, Suite 500E, Washington, DC 20024
COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF
Frank Pietranton – Chair, Broker
Ulani Gulstone – Legal Committee Chair, Attorney Member
David Forster – Salesperson
Christine M. Warnke – Consumer Member
Edward Downs – Broker
Monique Owens – Property Manager
Elizabeth Blakeslee – Broker
Ericka Black – Salesperson
Vacant– Property Manager
Leon Lewis – Executive Director
Brittani Strozier Daise – Board Administrator, brittani.strozier@dc.gov
Stephanie Johnston – Board Assistant
Kevin Cyrus – Education Coordinator
If you have any questions regarding this communication, please contact the Office of Professional Licensing at dcra.dcraopla@dc.gov. DCRA actively uses feedback to improve our delivery and services; please take a minute to share your feedback on how we performed in our last engagement. Subscribe to receive DCRA news and updates.
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