Indiana Real Estate License Defense Lawyer

Attorney for Licensing Issues and Disciplinary Action Affecting Real Estate Agents, Brokers, and Appraisers

People in the real estate field provide invaluable services to those who buy, sell, or own property. Real estate agents and brokers can help buyers find the right properties, make good offers, and negotiate purchase prices, and they can assist sellers in offering properties at the right price, connecting with buyers, and completing transactions successfully. Real estate appraisers also play an important role in many transactions, and by determining the correct market value of a property, they can protect the interests of buyers, sellers, and mortgage lenders. The Indiana Real Estate Commission regulates these professionals, issues licenses, and investigates complaints to determine whether disciplinary action is appropriate. Real estate agents or appraisers who face issues related to their professional licenses will need to determine the best steps they can take to protect their careers.

The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, LLC works with multiple types of licensed professionals to help them respond to complaints, work with investigators, and avoid discipline whenever possible. We have helped numerous clients address disciplinary issues and other licensing concerns handled by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA). With our knowledge of the rules, standards, and procedures that affect these cases, we can help real estate professionals take the correct steps to defend their licenses against suspension or revocation or avoid other penalties that may affect them.

License Discipline Issues for Real Estate Professionals

Real estate brokers must complete an approved course of study and meet other requirements in order to obtain a professional license. Real estate broker companies will also need to obtain the proper licenses, and these companies may include partnerships in which all partners are licensed brokers, corporations with a licensed broker who acts as a managing broker, or LLCs that are member-managed or manager-managed.

There are a variety of issues that may lead to discipline to a real estate broker's license, including:

• Providing broker services without a valid real estate license, including allowing an employee who is not properly licensed to provide certain types of services for clients.
• Mismanagement of clients' money or property, such as failing to properly transfer funds to or from an escrow account.
• Record-keeping violations, including failure to properly document transactions or disclosing private information related to clients.
• Violations of fair housing laws or other forms of discrimination against clients or other parties based on a person's race, religion, national origin, marital status, or other protected statuses.
• Inappropriate conduct, such as sexual harassment against employees or clients.
• Criminal convictions for offenses related to the real estate profession, such as fraud.

Real estate appraisers are regulated by the Indiana Real Estate Appraiser Licensure and Certification Board. They may face discipline to their professional licenses for the reasons described above, as well as other issues related to the practice of real estate appraisal. A person may be accused of failing to follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and they may be subject to disciplinary action if they engage in unethical practices or are grossly negligent when performing appraisals. Violations warranting discipline may also involve conflicts of interest or accepting appraisal assignments that are contingent on specific results.

Contact Our Indiana Real Estate License Discipline Attorney

The suspension or revocation of a real estate license may affect an individual broker or appraiser as well as others who are involved in a real estate brokerage or appraisal management company. To avoid these issues, real estate agents or other professionals who are facing discipline will want to take action to protect their licenses and avoid penalties that may affect their careers. Our firm can provide representation in these cases, and we will work to help you determine the best ways to proceed. To learn more about our professional license defense services, contact us at 463-219-2612 and arrange a free consultation today.