by Edward Downs – Chairman
The DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC) has undergone some changes in the recent months. At the top of the list of changes is me, the new Chairman of the DC Real Estate Commission, and also, our new Vice-Chairwoman of the Commission, Ms. Elizabeth Blakeslee. Together, we will continue the strong service to licensees that has been the hallmark of the Commission.
In my years with the Commission, we have been seeing some recurring issues that I bring to your attention here:
Licensees Are Responsible for Keeping Licenses Current
The Commission has recently seen a number of cases where licensees have practiced real estate while their licenses were expired. Regardless of the circumstances, this is a violation of license law and can result in financial penalties and a formal reprimand. In some ways, your license is your livelihood, and it is your responsibility to fulfill continuing education requirements and keep the license active. You may wish to put self-reminders on your calendar — one "early warning" about 6 months before your license expiration, to make sure you have your continuing education requirements met, and a second one shortly before the expiration date, so that you have plenty of time to renew.
Due Diligence - Now More than Ever
The Commission has received complaints about agents who did not use reasonable care in their pre-listing research. While it may seem routine and obvious, there are some questions licensees must be to be sure answer: Have you verified who owns the property? Have you verified the identity of the people who are signing documents? At settlement, a title company will first collect and copy picture IDs from all the parties. In the case of estate sales or powers of attorney, have you collected appropriate documentation before providing services?
Disclosure of Brokerage Relationship
We are seeing an uptick in advertising that violates our requirements to fully disclose the name of the brokerage with whom a licensee is affiliated. The purpose for this requirement is to provide the public with information on who to contact in the event of problems. In earlier times, managing brokers would review each advertisement from each of their agents. They did this because they knew that in the case of violations, both the agent and the broker could suffer consequences. It's recommended that you double-check any advertising that you create and distribute, because non-compliance with this requirement can have consequences for both you and your principal broker.
It is our view that the vast majority of DC licensees do a terrific job and it a pleasure to represent you.
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Mayor Bowser recently announced the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants and Landlords (RENTAL) Act of 2025. The bill seeks to preserve the District's affordable housing stock, protect tenant safety, improve the system for tenants and housing providers, and making it clear that investing in the District is a strong bet.
As licensed professionals in the District's real estate market, this bill may affect the real estate salespersons, brokers, and property managers. A few of the bill's highlights are below:
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Increases the Local Rent Supplement Program - to allow more units to be eligible for project-based LRSP vouchers by increasing program eligibility from 30% of the Area Medium Income to 50%.
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Modernize the Tenants Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) - clarifying what transactions are eligible and that tenants are aware of their TOPA rights.
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Reposition Vacant Properties into Affordable Housing - restoring DHCD's authority to acquire and reposition vacant properties to increase investment in communities and create more opportunities for affordable housing developments.
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The license renewal period is almost over. License types up for renewal are real estate organization (REO), real estate broker (BR), independent broker (IB) and property manager (PM) all of which expired on 2/28/2025.
The current system can only accommodate CE certificate uploads in renewal applications. Please keep your continuing education completion certificates in a secure place so that you can present them in the event of a continuing education compliance audit.
Licensees have been notified via email that the renewal process is underway. There is a 60 day late renewal period, during which licensees can complete their renewal and renew licenses with a late fee penalty. There will be a fifty ($50.00) late fee accessed during this period. Once the 60 day late renewal period ends, licensees will need to reinstate their license at a fee of $170.00.
NOTE: Principal Brokers (PB) MUST renew their real estate organizations (REO) license at the same time as they renew their principal broker license. ALL broker licensees must be affiliated with an REO that holds a license on "active" status.
Please note that licenses are issued digitally. Licensees will be able to display electronic version of their license or be able to print them out via visiting their Access DC accounts.
To view and print your DC License:
- Visit https://accessdc.dcra.dc.gov/app/UserHome NOTE: You may need to create an “AccessDC” account if you haven’t already.
- Select button labeled: "Occupational and Prof. License Renewal Form"
- Click "Home" on the menu above the "OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION"
- Click on link labeled "My Licenses" at the top of the browser window
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Licensees should be aware that the real estate continuing education requirements are applicable to the current cycle and also upcoming renewals.
Salesperson - 15 hours total
Mandatory 12 hours plus 3 hours of General Electives
DC Fair Housing (3 hours)
DC Ethics (3 hours)
DC Legislative Update (3 hours)
Property Management (3 hours)
Electives (3 hours)
Broker - 15 hours total
Mandatory 15 hours (No Elective Classes - All Required Classes)
DC Fair Housing (3 hours)
DC Ethics (3 hours)
DC Legislative Update (3 hours)
Property Management (3 hours)
Broker Supervision (3 hours)
Property Manager - 15 hours total
Mandatory 15 hours
DC Fair Housing (3 hours)
DC Ethics (3 hours)
DC Legislative Update (3 hours)
Property Management (6 hours)
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Cristian Hernandez
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate salesperson when unlicensed and not renewed.
Bryant Naylor
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate salesperson when unlicensed and not renewed.
John Lytle
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate salesperson when unlicensed and not renewed.
Shayna Jackson
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate property manager when unlicensed and not renewed.
Yalda Ghamarian
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate salesperson when unlicensed and not renewed.
Gavin Kersllius
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate salesperson when unlicensed and not renewed.
Alex Fox
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker when unlicensed and not renewed.
Christina Swe
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker when unlicensed and not renewed.
Barbara Shea
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a property manager when unlicensed and not renewed.
Patrick Joy
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a salesperson when unlicensed and not renewed.
Terra Firma Real Estate, LLC
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $1250.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker organization when unlicensed and not renewed.
Efua Hayford
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker when unlicensed and not renewed.
Goldberg Group Real Estate LLC
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $5000.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker organization when unlicensed and not renewed.
Chambers Theory LLC
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $5000.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker organization when unlicensed and not renewed.
Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $5000.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker organization when unlicensed and not renewed.
AllFirst Realty, Inc.
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $5000.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker organization when unlicensed and not renewed.
Isabelle Williams and Associates
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $5000.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker organization when unlicensed and not renewed.
Real Legacy Realty, LLC
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $5000.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker organization when unlicensed and not renewed.
Thos D Walsh Inc
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $5000.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker organization when unlicensed and not renewed.
Ernestine J Wilson Real Estate LLC
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $5000.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as a real estate broker organization when unlicensed and not renewed.
John Bratton
By consent order, the Commission imposed a fine of $2500.00 and a reprimand for violation of DC Official Code Sections 47-2853.17(a)(19) and 47-2853.02(a) for operating as an independent real estate broker when unlicensed and not renewed.
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If you have been thinking that it would be good to contribute more to the real estate community at large, then now is your chance. The Commission currently has vacancies for the following:
- Broker member
- Property manager member
- Salesperson member
- Attorney member
Interested parties are welcome to submit an application at the website of the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments (MOTA) - https://mota.dc.gov/ and click through the link entitled “Join A Board or Commission”
Please note that there is a residency requirement that requires Commission members to live in Washington, DC proper during their term.
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Meetings are held on Fridays as shown below at 10:00 am
January 14, 2025
February 11, 2025
March 11, 2025
April 8, 2025
May 13, 2025
June 10, 2025
July 8, 2025
August 2025 (RECESS)
September 9, 2025
October 14, 2025
November 18, 2025
December 9, 2025
Dates are subject to change. Call 202-442-4320 for updates.
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