As a realtor in Georgia, you've invested a significant amount of time, resources, and energy into building your career – and your professional reputation. So, when your license is under threat for any reason, it's completely understandable if you're feeling lost, confused, and overwhelmed. After all, the investigation process is complex, and without knowledgeable attorneys on your side, it can be daunting trying to navigate your way through it all. But you do not need to negotiate your own defense, nor do you need to face these challenges alone. Instead, you can retain the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team. Once you call 888.535.3686 or reach us online to secure representation, we'll get to work on your defense immediately. But in the meantime, here's an overview of how the investigation process works, the consequences of disciplinary board action, and how you might protect your realtor license.
Georgia Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board
The Georgia Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board (GREC) is the agency responsible for issuing, renewing, and sanctioning realtor licenses across GA. It's the statewide body responsible for upholding professional standards, and it takes its obligations seriously. The GREC will not hesitate to discipline any realtor suspected of violating the applicable statewide and national real estate laws. So, if you're facing disciplinary action and your license is at risk, it's the GREC undertaking the investigation.
Grounds for Investigating Georgia Realtors
The GREC will not act on every complaint it receives. For example, it may be unable to investigate a breach of contract or allegations made by a client who is simply dissatisfied with the service received. It can, however, investigate complaints that bring a realtor's character or conduct into question. These are complaints that suggest that a realtor may require further education or training to ensure they are competent practitioners or complaints that suggest that there are elements of dishonesty, fraud, or even criminal activity at play. The grounds for investigating Georgia real estate professionals include, but are not limited to:
- Stealing client money
- Laundering money
- Unfair trading or advertising practices
- Delegating jobs to realtors without the requisite experience or supervision
- Fraudulent activity
- Undertaking work for which the broker or realtor does not have the requisite experience
- Knowingly listing a property without the owner's consent
The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team can explain whether a complaint may be sufficient to attract the board's attention and how you may fight the case.
The Initial Complaint and Preliminary Investigations
In all cases, the process begins with a complaint made by a colleague, a client, or a member of the public. The board will review the complaint, and if they have jurisdiction to investigate, they'll put the affected realtor on notice in writing and begin investigations. Investigations against service professionals typically involve requiring you to provide evidence, such as transaction histories and, other records, and even oral statements. Once the board reviews the evidence, they will decide if it is appropriate to consider disciplinary action.
The Citation
A citation is an alternative to a formal hearing before an administrative court judge. The citation gives the realtor notice of the accusations against them, and it sets out the specific nature of the complaint. The citation will also include a proposed penalty for the violation, e.g., a monetary fine not exceeding $1,000 per violation.
The choice is, essentially, to accept the citation and the proposed penalty or to request an administrative hearing within 30 days of receiving the citation. Should you fail to request a hearing within this timeframe, the citation stands, and the punishment takes effect.
It's not advisable to just accept a citation – and the penalty – without seeking legal advice. Accepting the citation is an admission of guilt, which could irreparably damage your career and professional reputation. Your Lento Law Firm attorney will explain whether you should consider contesting the citation and seeking a formal hearing when they evaluate your case.
The Administrative Hearing
The administrative hearing for realtors is a relatively formal procedure. It takes place before an administrative judge who determines, based on the evidence available, whether the allegations occurred as described and whether the complaint should be upheld.
You are, of course, entitled to represent yourself at any administrative hearing regarding your realtor license in GA. However, given how serious the consequences can be should the decision go against you, it's worth considering retaining the Lento Law Firm to speak on your behalf.
Administrative Hearing Outcomes
There are two main outcomes following an administrative hearing in Georgia. The complaint will be upheld, which will result in disciplinary action, or the complaint will be dismissed, and no action will be taken.
If the complaint stands, and the outcome is that disciplinary action is necessary, then the board will determine what penalty is appropriate. The board has various options at its disposal, including, but not limited to:
- Written reprimand
- Fines and/or other financial penalties
- Compulsory training
- Mandatory counseling programs
- Probation/restricted practice
- License suspension
- License revocation
Remember, this is not a civil or criminal case – it's administrative. However, there's no guarantee, depending on the complaint(s) against you, that further proceedings won't follow. For example, you could face criminal charges for fraudulent activity or a civil lawsuit for a breach of contract or related issues. Again, this is why it's so critical to retain legal advice as soon as possible. A simple allegation can sprawl into a significant case – contact the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team to get the support you deserve.
The Heavy Consequences of Disciplinary Action
The consequences of disciplinary action against a realtor can be significant. It doesn't even matter if the allegations are dismissed. In many cases, the stigma of disciplinary action can haunt the affected realtor for years. Specifically, though, the most common consequences realtors face after disciplinary action include:
- Loss of financial stability
- Lack of career progression opportunities
- Loss of confidence in professional abilities
- Inability to find alternative employment at an equal level
- Difficulty handling the stigma attached to disciplinary actions or disciplinary investigations, even if the complaint is ultimately dismissed
It's not always possible to avoid disciplinary action, but it is always possible to do everything you can to mitigate the consequences, whether this means seeking to have the complaint dismissed or reducing the long-term impact of any disciplinary measures. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team will use its considerable knowledge and experience to help you achieve the most favorable possible outcome.
Appealing Disciplinary Action Against Your Realtor License in Georgia
You have the right to appeal a decision to suspend or revoke your realtor license. You must have grounds to do so, however, which means showing that, for example, the board did not properly consider material facts or evidence or that they applied the law incorrectly or failed to follow their own rules and regulations.
Your appeal may be granted, and the penalty may be mitigated or set aside, or it may be refused. Your attorney can explain if you have further rights of appeal and how you might proceed if so.
Reinstating a Suspended License
Suspended licenses may be reinstated if you meet certain criteria, such as completing compulsory education, attending counseling, or paying a fine. Typically, you will be required to wait at least a few years before seeking license reinstatement, and the request will not be granted unless you can show that you have completed the specified requirements. You will also be required to show that you have kept your knowledge current.
There's no guarantee your license will be reinstated; however, your attorney can explain your options and how you may improve your chances of making a successful application.
Reinstating a Revoked License
Unfortunately, license revocation is intended to be a permanent solution. That's why it's typically reserved for the most serious allegations. However, it may be possible to seek license reinstatement after an agreed time period elapses. Your attorney can explain what criteria you may have to meet before such an application may be considered.
There's never any guarantee that the board will reinstate a revoked license. Your best defense is to prevent license revocation from taking place, which is why you should hire the Lento Law Firm sooner rather than later.
Why You Need an Experienced Attorney on Your Side
It's understandable if you wish to avoid hiring an attorney to help with licensure issues. After all, you might assume that the matter can be dealt with informally and that the board will proceed with your interests in mind. However, the reality is that the board can – and will – use every legal tool at its disposal to discipline realtors they suspect of breaching the rules. And that's where hiring an attorney becomes essential.
- As a government agency, the board has significant resources to call upon. These resources include experienced legal counsel. Hiring your own attorney ensures that you are not placed at an immediate disadvantage.
- Realtor disciplinary proceedings can sometimes be resolved informally and relatively quickly. However, conducting these types of negotiations can be complicated if you are unfamiliar with the process. There's always the risk you will accidentally say the “wrong” thing – hiring a lawyer ensures that this does not happen.
- Disciplinary procedures involve adhering to deadlines and submitting documents, paperwork, and other evidence in a specific way. When you hire a lawyer, you're reducing the risk of making easily avoidable errors that could damage your case.
Don't take risks with your realtor license. Secure legal counsel and have confidence that you're doing everything possible to protect your livelihood.
The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team Is on Your Side
Although you might consider hiring a local attorney to assist with a licensure issue, it's worth considering attorneys with experience in license defense, and who work across the US to defend clients facing the most complex disciplinary action. That's why you need the Lento Law Firm.
- Georgia real estate laws and realtor conduct codes are highly nuanced. Given our experience negotiating with licensing boards, we understand these complexities and will use this knowledge to your advantage.
- We understand how difficult this time can be. You can rely on us to handle the legal issues and procedural steps so that you can focus on moving forward and focusing on the future.
- Our team is passionate about justice. We will ensure that you are kept informed at every step of the legal process and that you have every opportunity to secure the fair outcome you deserve.
- To us, every client matters. Your right to practice as a realtor matters. And we will fight tirelessly to champion your legal rights, your rights to due process, and your right to ensure that your side of the story is heard.
Realtor License Defense Attorneys Serving Realtors Across Georgia
No matter which sector of real estate you specialize in, our attorneys can help you. We have represented licensed professionals across Georgia and successfully helped them defend their careers. We represent realtors across the state in areas including:
- Atlanta
- Augusta
- Columbus
- Macon
- Roswell
- Sandy Springs
- Savannah
Get the help you deserve as a realtor in Georgia. Contact the Lento Law Firm now.
Premier Professional License Defense Attorneys in Georgia
When your realtor license is in jeopardy, it's normal to feel worried and stressed about what the future holds. But you do not need to suffer through this exceptionally challenging time alone. Instead, you can trust the Lento Law Firm to help shoulder the burden. Our Professional License Defense Team truly cares about helping you keep your license and pursue the career you've worked so hard to build. From the moment you hire our attorneys, we will do everything we can to protect your legal rights, negotiate a fair outcome, and bring matters to a swift conclusion so you can move forward.
There's too much at stake for you professionally to leave any part of your defense strategy to chance. Let the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team stand with you. Call now at 888.535.3686 or reach our team online to discuss retaining our lawyers.
