By Dave Snyder
The Parsons Advocate
Jerry Forren Executive Director for WV Real Estate Commission and June Williams, Executive Officer of Harrison County Association of Realtors
The Elkins Randolph Board of Realtors met at Graceland Inn, on the campus of Davis and Elkins College recently. Participants enjoyed a combined luncheon and update on the West Virginia Real Estate Commission’s current activities.
Jerry Forren, Executive Director for the West Virginia Real Estate Commission, provided relevant information for those present. Forren said, “I have been in this position for a little more than one year. I have been going throughout the state to inform realtors and brokers of the Commission’s activities, changes that have occurred, and changes that will be presented to the West Virginia State Legislature.”
Forren first dealt with a new website and a Facebook page for the West Virginia Real Estate Commission. Noting that the website had not been updated since 1999, Forren said a new website is now in operation with all new information posted on this site. The last two years of disciplinary actions are accessible here – reminding everyone of the necessity of high ethical standards. Any rules changes that occur will be posted as well. The Facebook page is usually updated daily.
Forren noted that the PSI Testing Service is being used to provide online testing for realtors and brokers. Each exam is timed and is divided into a national portion and a state portion. The national portion is the same throughout the United States; the state portion varies from state to state.
Forren said, “We are looking at how to adjust the time allotted for each portion of the test. Some have said too much time is allowed for the national testing – only a few minutes left to review the test.”
Daily testing is provided in multiple locations. Forren listed several locations serving various areas of the state. The southern portion of the state is served by Beckley and Dunbar – just west of Charleston. The north central portion of the state is served by Bridgeport. The eastern panhandle is served by Hagerstown, Maryland. The northern panhandle is served by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Consideration is being given to opening a new testing site in Wytheville, Virginia.
Forren noted that five days notice is needed to be involved in testing. PSI charges a twenty-five dollar application fee and a ninety-five dollar testing fee. Currently, Bridgeport, West Virginia and Hagerstown, Maryland are the most frequently used testing locations.
Broker training is provided online through Bridge Valley Community and Technical College. Forren said, “Module 1 and Module 2 are now online. Module 3 is now taught in classrooms, but we hope to have it online soon.”
Online license renewal is being perfected. The renewal and administration modules are being tested. Projected rollout of online renewal is December 18, 2017. Individuals will be able to pay a three dollar vendor fee to print their own license – avoiding wait time for mailing.
Tucker County resident Kathy Knight, President of Elkins Randolph Board of Realtors
Forren stated, “This has been a challenge. We are replacing a database that is over thirty years old. This database includes names of people who have resigned and people who are actually deceased. However, we will be totally ready next year.”
Forren addressed advertising on social media. No matter what media is used, the same rules used for paper apply. This includes providing such information as association name, broker name, broker address and phone number. Realtors and brokers are not responsible for what other people forward or cut and paste.
Rules changes for 2018 were discussed. First filing of rules are open for public comments. Through this process, changes are proposed to the state legislature. Forren stated that these proposals are placed in a legislative committee. If the legislators want something changed, it is sent back to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission for revision so it can be re-submitted to the legislature. There can be as many as six refiles.
Series I changes included clarification and simplification of the application and testing process. There is no reciprocity for non-residents.
Another item is “sweep accounts.” If a realtor or broker gets into a legal situation where charges are filed, he/she has thirty days to report to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission.
A Series 3 change basically includes some softening of advertising rules.
Forren provided clarification of many issues regarding the activities of the West Virginia Real Estate Commission. Kathy Knight, President of the Elkins Randolph Board of Realtors, said “Mr. Forren is very proactive and aggressive with regard to changes that need to be made. I am anxious to see the progress that will be made.”
