Purpose #
Easy Realty permits affiliated agents to buy, sell, lease, exchange, and otherwise participate in real estate transactions involving property in which they have a personal ownership or financial interest, subject to applicable law, Brokerage requirements, disclosure obligations, documentation standards, insurance requirements, and Broker supervision.
Real estate professionals may own homes, investment properties, rental properties, land, commercial property, and interests in entities that own real estate. Easy Realty does not prohibit an affiliated agent from conducting legitimate transactions involving those interests.
However, agent-owned transactions require particular care because the agent may simultaneously be a property owner, buyer, seller, investor, landlord, tenant, or other principal while also holding a real estate license affiliated with Easy Realty.
This policy establishes the distinction between an Associate acting solely as a principal in a personal transaction and an Associate conducting licensed real estate activity through Easy Realty.
It also establishes the disclosure, documentation, compensation, forms, Brokerage-resource, compliance, and supervision requirements applicable to agent-owned transactions.
Policy Statement #
Agent-owned property transactions are permitted by Easy Realty when conducted in accordance with applicable law and this policy.
An Associate must clearly distinguish between:
- Acting solely as a principal concerning the Associate’s own property or personal interest; and
- Acting as a licensed real estate professional through Easy Realty.
An Associate may not attempt to combine the benefits of an outside personal transaction with the resources, authority, forms, systems, compensation arrangements, MLS access, professional support, or other infrastructure of Easy Realty.
If an Associate elects to conduct licensed real estate activity as an Easy Realty Associate, that licensed activity must be conducted through Easy Realty.
If an Associate instead elects to conduct an eligible personal transaction solely as a principal outside Easy Realty, the Associate must conduct that transaction independently of Easy Realty and may not represent or imply that Easy Realty is participating in, supervising, supporting, approving, insuring, or accepting responsibility for the transaction.
Covered Interests and Transactions #
For purposes of this policy, an agent-owned or agent-interest transaction includes a transaction in which an Associate has a direct or indirect ownership, beneficial, financial, or other material personal interest.
This may include:
- Property owned solely by the Associate;
- Property jointly owned by the Associate and another person;
- Property being purchased solely by the Associate;
- Property being purchased jointly with another person;
- Property owned or acquired through an entity owned or controlled by the Associate;
- Property in which the Associate holds a beneficial interest;
- Property held through a trust, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, or other ownership structure in which the Associate has a material interest;
- Rental or lease property owned or controlled by the Associate;
- Property being acquired for investment by the Associate; and
- Other transactions in which the Associate’s personal financial interest could materially affect the Associate’s role in the transaction.
Easy Realty may determine whether a transaction constitutes an agent-owned or agent-interest transaction for purposes of Brokerage policy.
Principal Transactions and Brokerage Transactions #
An Associate’s ownership of real property does not, by itself, mean that every transaction involving that property must be conducted through Easy Realty.
An Associate may act solely as a principal concerning the Associate’s own property where permitted by applicable law.
However, acting as a principal does not authorize an Associate to engage independently in licensed brokerage activity that is required to be conducted through the Associate’s employing Broker.
When an Associate performs licensed real estate activity as an Easy Realty sales associate or broker associate, that activity must be conducted through Easy Realty in accordance with applicable law, the Associate’s agreements with the Brokerage, the live Office Policy Manual, and applicable Brokerage policies.
An Associate may not characterize a transaction as a private or personal transaction while simultaneously using Easy Realty to perform licensed or Brokerage functions associated with that transaction.
Two Available Paths #
An Associate involved in the Associate’s own property transaction must maintain a clear distinction between the following two paths.
Personal Principal Transaction Outside Easy Realty
Where permitted by applicable law, the Associate may elect to conduct an eligible transaction solely as a principal and outside Easy Realty.
Under this path:
- Easy Realty is not the Brokerage handling the transaction;
- Easy Realty does not supervise or administer the transaction;
- Easy Realty does not provide Brokerage forms or transaction templates;
- Easy Realty does not provide transaction-document preparation;
- Easy Realty does not provide MLS access;
- Easy Realty does not provide Brokerage systems for the transaction;
- Easy Realty does not provide compliance review;
- Easy Realty does not provide Broker signatures or approvals;
- Easy Realty does not provide transaction processing;
- Easy Realty does not provide Brokerage compensation processing;
- Easy Realty does not provide Listing Coordination or Transaction Coordination unless the transaction is submitted to and accepted by the Brokerage under the applicable service terms;
- The Associate may not present Easy Realty as participating in the transaction; and
- The Associate is responsible for independently obtaining appropriate documents, professional advice, services, and resources.
Transaction Through Easy Realty
Alternatively, the Associate may conduct the transaction through Easy Realty.
Under this path, the transaction becomes subject to:
- The Associate’s governing agreements with Easy Realty;
- The live Office Policy Manual;
- Applicable Brokerage policies;
- Brokerage documentation requirements;
- Broker supervision;
- Applicable compliance requirements;
- Applicable compensation provisions;
- Applicable insurance and risk-management requirements;
- MLS requirements where MLS services are used; and
- Any optional Brokerage service requested by the Associate.
An Associate who wants to use Easy Realty’s Brokerage infrastructure or conduct licensed activity through Easy Realty must put the transaction through the Brokerage.
Disclosure to Easy Realty #
When an agent-owned or agent-interest transaction is being conducted through Easy Realty, the Associate must disclose the Associate’s ownership, beneficial, financial, or other covered personal interest to the Brokerage.
Disclosure must occur before Easy Realty is asked to materially participate in the transaction.
The disclosure must accurately identify:
- The property;
- The nature of the Associate’s interest;
- The person or entity in which title is or will be held, where applicable;
- Other material ownership interests known to the Associate; and
- Additional information reasonably requested by Easy Realty.
The Associate must promptly notify Easy Realty if the ownership structure or nature of the Associate’s interest materially changes.
Disclosure to Other Parties #
An Associate must make all disclosures concerning licensed status, ownership, beneficial interest, financial interest, relationship to an ownership entity, or other personal interest required by applicable law, contract, MLS rules, Brokerage policy, or Broker instruction.
An Associate may not conceal a required ownership or financial-interest disclosure through:
- An entity;
- Trust;
- Business partner;
- Family member;
- Co-owner;
- Nominee;
- Assignee; or
- Other arrangement.
Easy Realty may require evidence of required disclosures as a condition of accepting or continuing a Brokerage transaction.
Agent as Seller #
An Easy Realty Associate may sell property in which the Associate has an ownership interest.
If the Associate elects to list the property through Easy Realty:
- The property becomes a Brokerage listing;
- The ownership interest must be disclosed to Easy Realty;
- Applicable listing documentation must be completed;
- Required licensee and ownership disclosures must be made;
- Applicable MLS rules must be followed;
- Advertising must comply with Brokerage requirements;
- Required transaction documents must be submitted;
- Material listing changes remain subject to required authorization and documentation;
- Brokerage compensation must be handled through the applicable Brokerage process; and
- The transaction remains subject to Broker supervision and compliance review.
The Associate’s ownership of the property does not authorize the Associate to act as the Broker, independently waive Brokerage requirements, modify Brokerage agreements without authority, or bypass required transaction procedures.
Agent as Buyer #
An Easy Realty Associate may purchase property for the Associate’s own account, individually or through an entity or ownership structure in which the Associate has an interest.
If the Associate acts solely as a buyer-principal outside an Easy Realty Brokerage transaction, the Associate must clearly separate the Associate’s position as purchaser from the Associate’s licensed role with Easy Realty.
The Associate may negotiate purchase terms as a transaction principal but may not independently claim, receive, demand, or collect brokerage compensation for licensed services in a manner inconsistent with the Associate’s affiliation with Easy Realty or applicable law.
If the Associate intends to perform licensed real estate services in connection with the transaction and receive brokerage compensation for those services, the licensed activity and compensation must be conducted through Easy Realty.
Compensation When Acting Solely as a Principal #
An Associate conducting an outside personal transaction solely as a principal may not independently receive, demand, collect, or contract for a real estate commission or other brokerage compensation for licensed services in connection with the transaction.
An Associate may not independently designate themselves as a cooperating broker, buyer’s agent, sales associate, listing agent, or other compensated real estate licensee outside Easy Realty for the purpose of obtaining brokerage compensation.
For purposes of Easy Realty policy, an Associate conducting an outside personal purchase may not receive a purported buyer-agent commission directly from:
- A seller;
- Listing brokerage;
- Developer;
- Builder;
- Closing agent;
- Title company;
- Other real estate brokerage; or
- Another transaction participant.
Compensation for licensed real estate services performed as an Easy Realty Associate must be handled through Easy Realty where required by applicable law and the Associate’s governing relationship with the Brokerage.
Seller Credits, Concessions, and Purchase Terms #
An Associate acting solely as a buyer-principal may negotiate purchase terms applicable to the Associate as the buyer.
A genuine seller concession, seller credit, price reduction, closing-cost contribution, or other negotiated purchase term is distinct from compensation for licensed real estate services.
Any such arrangement must be:
- Accurately characterized;
- Properly documented;
- Reflected in the transaction documents where required;
- Disclosed to parties and professionals entitled to receive that information;
- Permitted by the purchase agreement;
- Permitted by the closing or settlement requirements;
- Permitted by any applicable lender or loan program; and
- Otherwise lawful.
An Associate may not disguise or recharacterize brokerage compensation as a seller concession, buyer credit, reimbursement, purchase adjustment, cash payment, or other transaction term for the purpose of circumventing applicable law or Brokerage policy.
If there is uncertainty about whether a proposed payment constitutes a purchase term or compensation for licensed real estate services, the Associate must obtain appropriate guidance before agreeing to or accepting the payment.
No Independent Brokerage Activity #
An Associate conducting an outside personal transaction may not use the principal-transaction structure as a means of independently conducting real estate brokerage activity.
An Associate may not:
- Conduct licensed activity for another person outside Easy Realty where the activity is required to be conducted through the Associate’s employing Broker;
- Represent that the Associate is acting as an Easy Realty licensed agent while simultaneously claiming the licensed activity is outside the Brokerage;
- Independently collect brokerage compensation;
- Circumvent Easy Realty’s compensation processes;
- Use Easy Realty resources while denying that Easy Realty is involved in the transaction; or
- Structure an arrangement primarily for the purpose of avoiding Brokerage requirements applicable to licensed activity.
Easy Realty Forms and Proprietary Materials #
When an Associate conducts an agent-owned transaction outside Easy Realty solely as a principal, the Associate is not authorized to use Easy Realty forms or proprietary transaction materials for that transaction.
Easy Realty forms, templates, documents, checklists, contract materials, internal guides, workflows, and other proprietary resources are provided for authorized Brokerage business.
An Associate’s access to those materials through affiliation with Easy Realty does not create authorization to use them for an outside personal transaction.
An Associate conducting an outside personal transaction may not:
- Use Easy Realty proprietary forms;
- Copy or adapt Easy Realty proprietary templates;
- Use Easy Realty transaction packages;
- Present an Easy Realty form as a personal form;
- Remove Easy Realty branding from a Brokerage document for outside use;
- Reproduce Brokerage materials for an outside transaction; or
- Provide Easy Realty proprietary materials to another person for use outside the Brokerage.
If the Associate wants to use Easy Realty’s Brokerage documents and transaction infrastructure, the transaction must be submitted to and accepted by Easy Realty.
Florida Realtors, Florida Realtors/Florida Bar, and Other Third-Party Forms #
An Associate conducting an outside personal transaction is responsible for independently obtaining lawful authority to use any third-party contract, addendum, disclosure, template, form, or other proprietary material.
The Associate may not use Easy Realty’s membership, account, subscription, license, credentials, access, software, or other authorization to obtain or use forms for an outside personal transaction.
This includes forms or materials made available to Easy Realty or its Associates through:
- Florida Realtors;
- Florida Realtors/Florida Bar form libraries;
- Realtor associations;
- MLS organizations;
- Form Simplicity;
- Transaction-management systems;
- Brokerage software subscriptions; or
- Other third-party resources licensed or provided for Brokerage use.
The ability to retrieve or access a form through a Brokerage resource does not establish authority to use that form outside an authorized Brokerage transaction.
An Associate who independently maintains a lawful license, membership, subscription, or other authorization to use a particular third-party form remains responsible for complying with the terms applicable to that independent authorization.
Nothing in this policy grants permission to copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, or use copyrighted, licensed, membership-restricted, or proprietary material contrary to the rights of its owner or licensor.
Contracts for Outside Personal Transactions #
Easy Realty does not provide contracts, contract templates, drafting services, transaction forms, or legal documents for an agent-owned transaction conducted solely as a principal outside Easy Realty.
An Associate choosing the outside-principal path is responsible for independently obtaining appropriate transaction documents.
Depending upon the transaction and applicable law, the Associate may:
- Retain a Florida-licensed attorney to prepare or advise upon the appropriate documents;
- Independently obtain documents the Associate is lawfully authorized to use;
- Use another lawful source of transaction documents; or
- Prepare documents independently where legally permitted.
Easy Realty does not recommend that Associates draft legal documents without appropriate legal advice.
The Associate may not copy an Easy Realty form or another proprietary form and attempt to convert it into a personal document through deletion of branding, alteration, reformatting, or other modification.
Brokerage Systems and Resources #
An outside personal transaction may not be conducted using Easy Realty’s Brokerage systems or resources unless specifically authorized in writing.
This includes, as applicable:
- Brokerage forms;
- Transaction-management systems;
- Brokerage MLS accounts;
- Brokerage document systems;
- Brokerage subscriptions;
- Brokerage membership access;
- Broker signature processes;
- Compliance-review systems;
- Commission-processing systems;
- Brokerage transaction templates; and
- Other systems provided for Easy Realty business.
An Associate may not use Brokerage credentials or access given to the Associate for Easy Realty business to facilitate an outside personal transaction.
Easy Realty Name, Branding, and Communications #
An Associate conducting an outside personal transaction must not use Easy Realty’s name, branding, identity, communications, systems, forms, or other resources in a manner that represents or implies that Easy Realty:
- Is the Brokerage handling the transaction;
- Represents a party to the transaction;
- Has reviewed the transaction;
- Has approved its documents;
- Is supervising the transaction;
- Is providing professional services;
- Is processing compensation;
- Is providing insurance coverage; or
- Has otherwise accepted responsibility for the transaction.
The Associate must maintain a clear separation between the Associate’s private principal transaction and Easy Realty’s Brokerage business.
Property Owned Through an Entity #
An agent-interest transaction does not cease to be an agent-interest transaction merely because title is or will be held through an entity.
Easy Realty may treat property as agent-owned or agent-interest property when an Associate has a direct or indirect ownership, controlling, beneficial, or material financial interest in the ownership or acquiring entity.
This may include:
- Limited liability companies;
- Corporations;
- Partnerships;
- Joint ventures;
- Trusts; and
- Other ownership structures.
When the transaction is being conducted through Easy Realty, the Associate must accurately disclose the ownership or control relationship.
Easy Realty may request documentation reasonably necessary to identify the ownership or financial interest.
Co-Owned Property #
Property partly owned by an Associate is an agent-interest property for purposes of this policy.
The existence of another owner does not eliminate applicable disclosure requirements.
When the transaction is conducted through Easy Realty, the Associate is responsible for ensuring that every person or entity whose authorization is required has properly authorized the transaction.
Family Members and Related Parties #
A transaction involving a family member, domestic partner, business partner, trust, commonly owned entity, or other related party is not automatically an agent-owned property transaction.
However, an Associate must disclose to Easy Realty, for a transaction being conducted through the Brokerage, any relationship or financial interest that could materially affect the Associate’s role or create a conflict requiring Brokerage review.
Easy Realty may determine whether this policy, another Brokerage policy, additional disclosure, or increased supervision applies.
No Circumvention Through Another Person or Entity #
An Associate may not avoid this policy by changing the form of a transaction while retaining the substance of a covered ownership or financial interest.
This includes attempting to circumvent the policy through:
- Another person’s name;
- An ownership entity;
- A family member;
- A business partner;
- A trust;
- An assignment;
- Another agent;
- A separate communication channel; or
- Another arrangement designed to conceal or mischaracterize the Associate’s interest or licensed activity.
Easy Realty may consider the substance of the Associate’s interest and conduct rather than solely the name appearing on a deed, contract, entity, or transaction record.
No Self-Approval of Brokerage Actions #
An Associate’s status as a principal does not give the Associate authority to act as the Broker.
In a transaction conducted through Easy Realty, an Associate may not approve on behalf of the Brokerage a matter that otherwise requires Broker approval.
This includes, where applicable:
- Listing cancellations;
- Listing releases;
- Brokerage agreement modifications;
- Broker signatures;
- Compensation arrangements requiring approval;
- Exceptions to Brokerage policy;
- Waivers of Brokerage requirements;
- Compliance exceptions;
- Commission disbursement decisions; and
- Other matters reserved to the Broker or authorized Brokerage management.
Where the Associate’s personal interest creates uncertainty concerning authority, the matter must be referred to the Broker.
Listing Coordination Service #
An Easy Realty Associate listing agent-owned property through Easy Realty may request the optional Listing Coordination Service.
The service must be requested through the Easy Realty Service Hub or the Listing Coordination Request.
Eligibility, pricing, service scope, initiation fees, closing fees, ordering requirements, and other service terms are governed exclusively by the current Listing Coordination Service Policy & Pricing published in the Easy Realty Policy Hub.
This policy intentionally does not duplicate Listing Coordination pricing.
Using Listing Coordination does not eliminate or reduce any disclosure, compliance, insurance, documentation, or supervision requirement applicable to an agent-owned transaction.
MLS Listings #
When agent-owned property is listed through Easy Realty and entered into an MLS, the listing remains subject to applicable Brokerage and MLS requirements.
The Associate is responsible for providing complete and accurate listing information and promptly reviewing the activated listing for accuracy.
The Associate must comply with applicable requirements concerning:
- Ownership information;
- Licensee-interest disclosures;
- Property information;
- Listing status;
- Photographs and media;
- Public and Broker remarks;
- Showing instructions;
- Compensation information where applicable;
- Status changes;
- Closing information; and
- Other information required by the applicable MLS.
Easy Realty may require corrections, disclosures, or modifications necessary for Brokerage or MLS compliance.
Advertising and Marketing #
Agent-owned property marketed through Easy Realty must comply with applicable Brokerage advertising policies and other applicable requirements.
An Associate may not market an Easy Realty Brokerage listing in a manner that materially conceals the Associate’s ownership or financial interest where disclosure is required.
Marketing materials supplied to Easy Realty must be accurate and authorized for use.
Easy Realty may require alteration or removal of marketing that the Brokerage determines is inaccurate, misleading, unauthorized, noncompliant, or inconsistent with Brokerage requirements.
An outside personal transaction may not be marketed in a manner that falsely or misleadingly suggests that Easy Realty is handling or responsible for the transaction.
Material Facts and Property Information #
An Associate’s ownership of a property does not reduce any applicable responsibility concerning truthful property information or required disclosure.
An Associate must not use professional status or personal ownership to conceal, minimize, mischaracterize, or omit information required to be disclosed.
For a transaction conducted through Easy Realty, the Associate remains responsible for the accuracy of information supplied concerning the property.
Brokerage review does not constitute an independent property inspection, title examination, survey, appraisal, engineering review, legal opinion, or independent verification of every fact supplied by the Associate.
Brokerage Transaction Documents #
Agent-owned transactions conducted through Easy Realty must be documented to the professional standard applicable to Brokerage transactions, subject to legitimate differences arising from the Associate also being a principal.
An Associate may not omit required Brokerage documentation merely because:
- The Associate owns the property;
- The Associate is the buyer;
- The Associate is the seller;
- No outside client is represented on the Associate’s side;
- An entity controlled by the Associate owns or is acquiring the property;
- A family member, partner, or co-owner is involved;
- The transaction is considered personal by the Associate; or
- The Associate believes a document is unnecessary.
Documents required by Easy Realty must be complete, legible, properly executed, and submitted through the applicable Brokerage process.
Easy Realty may request additional documentation reasonably necessary to establish ownership, disclosure, authorization, compensation, insurance eligibility, or compliance.
Insurance and E&O Requirements #
Agent-owned Brokerage transactions are subject to applicable Easy Realty insurance and risk-management requirements.
Permission under this policy to conduct an agent-owned transaction does not constitute a representation or guarantee that every property, transaction, person, act, omission, circumstance, or claim is covered by the Brokerage’s errors and omissions insurance or another policy.
Easy Realty may require documentation, disclosures, approvals, endorsements, eligibility confirmation, or other risk-management measures before accepting or continuing an agent-owned Brokerage transaction.
Easy Realty may decline, restrict, condition, or discontinue Brokerage participation when permitted by applicable law and governing agreements if the Brokerage determines that it cannot or will not accept the applicable insurance, compliance, or professional risk.
Compensation for Transactions Through Easy Realty #
When an agent-owned transaction is conducted through Easy Realty, compensation associated with licensed real estate services remains subject to:
- The Associate’s governing agreements;
- The live Office Policy Manual;
- Applicable Brokerage policies;
- Applicable law; and
- Properly authorized transaction-specific terms.
An Associate may not independently create, redirect, waive, modify, rebate, credit, assign, or otherwise alter Brokerage compensation where Brokerage authorization is required.
Compensation due for licensed services performed through Easy Realty must be received, accounted for, and disbursed through the applicable Brokerage process.
The fact that the Associate is personally buying or selling the property does not, by itself, eliminate Brokerage compensation requirements.
Fees for optional services, including Listing Coordination or Transaction Coordination, are separate from other Brokerage compensation unless the applicable service policy expressly provides otherwise.
Commission Credits, Rebates, and Contributions #
Any proposed use of commission, compensation, rebates, credits, contributions, concessions, or other amounts arising from an Easy Realty Brokerage transaction must comply with applicable law, lender requirements where applicable, closing requirements, governing agreements, and Brokerage approval procedures.
An Associate may not represent that Easy Realty has authorized a particular commission adjustment, rebate, credit, contribution, or compensation arrangement until any required Brokerage approval has been obtained.
Escrow and Transaction Funds #
Agent-owned Brokerage transactions remain subject to requirements applicable to deposits, escrow, transaction funds, accounting, documentation, and disbursement.
An Associate may not bypass a required procedure because the Associate is personally a party to the transaction.
The Associate must promptly notify Easy Realty of an issue concerning an escrow deposit, disputed funds, failed payment, requested release, compensation dispute, or other financial matter requiring Brokerage attention in a transaction conducted through Easy Realty.
Conflicts of Interest #
An Associate must recognize circumstances in which a personal financial interest could conflict with the Associate’s licensed role or obligations in a transaction.
An Associate must not improperly use:
- Confidential information;
- Brokerage systems;
- Brokerage authority;
- Client information;
- Other parties’ confidential information;
- Professional access;
- MLS information; or
- The Associate’s position as a licensed real estate professional
to obtain an improper personal advantage.
Easy Realty may require additional disclosure, Broker supervision, reassignment of a function, or other reasonable safeguards where a conflict or heightened risk exists.
Broker Review #
Easy Realty may require Broker review before accepting or during an agent-owned Brokerage transaction.
Review may address:
- Ownership or financial interests;
- Transaction structure;
- Required disclosures;
- Brokerage relationships;
- Advertising;
- Documentation;
- Compensation;
- MLS requirements;
- Insurance;
- Conflicts of interest;
- Transaction risk; and
- Other compliance considerations.
Broker review does not transfer responsibility for the Associate’s conduct, representations, deadlines, documentation, or other obligations to the Broker.
Brokerage Authority #
Easy Realty retains authority concerning Brokerage transactions, agreements, forms, documents, records, systems, listings, advertising, compensation, commission disbursement, MLS participation, compliance, insurance and risk management, policy interpretation, and approval of exceptions.
Easy Realty may impose reasonable additional requirements on an agent-owned Brokerage transaction when necessary for compliance, supervision, insurance, or risk management.
Authorization of one agent-owned transaction does not establish automatic approval of another transaction involving the same Associate, property type, ownership structure, or circumstances.
Outside Transactions and Easy Realty Responsibility #
Easy Realty does not accept responsibility for an Associate’s personal principal transaction merely because the Associate is licensed with Easy Realty.
Where the Associate elects to keep an eligible transaction outside Easy Realty:
- The Associate acts independently as a principal;
- Easy Realty is not providing Brokerage services for that transaction;
- The transaction is not entitled to Easy Realty’s forms or Brokerage infrastructure;
- Easy Realty does not undertake compliance review;
- Easy Realty does not provide Broker supervision of the private transaction;
- Easy Realty does not process compensation;
- Easy Realty does not represent that its insurance applies; and
- The Associate may not represent otherwise.
If the Associate wants Easy Realty’s services, systems, forms, Brokerage authority, licensed activity, professional support, or transaction infrastructure, the transaction must first be submitted to and accepted by Easy Realty.
Questions About Whether a Transaction Belongs Through Easy Realty #
If an Associate is uncertain whether contemplated conduct constitutes personal principal activity or licensed real estate activity that must be conducted through Easy Realty, the Associate must obtain Broker guidance before engaging in that conduct.
An Associate should not proceed on an assumption that labeling an activity “personal,” “FSBO,” “my own deal,” “investment,” or another description makes licensed activity exempt from Brokerage requirements.
The nature of the activity, compensation, parties, services performed, and surrounding circumstances determine which requirements may apply.
Exceptions and Waivers #
An exception to this policy must be expressly approved in writing by the Broker or an authorized management representative acting within delegated authority.
An exception concerning one Associate, property, transaction, ownership structure, service, or circumstance:
- Applies only to the identified matter;
- Does not create a continuing exception;
- Does not establish precedent;
- Does not amend this policy; and
- May not be relied upon for another transaction.
Failure to enforce a requirement on one occasion does not waive Easy Realty’s right to enforce that requirement subsequently.
No Associate may rely upon an alleged oral waiver, informal conversation, Slack message, email discussion, text message, telephone call, support response, EasyBot response, prior practice, or other informal statement as an amendment or waiver of this policy.
Authoritative Policy Source #
The current version of this policy published in the Easy Realty Policy Hub is the authoritative version of the Agent-Owned Property Transactions Policy.
EasyBot, Slack, email, text messages, telephone conversations, meetings, support responses, training, Knowledge Hub content, FAQs, summaries, marketing materials, previous documents, or other informational communications may explain or summarize this policy but do not amend it.
If an informal or informational communication is inconsistent with the current Policy Hub version, the current Policy Hub version controls, subject to applicable law and the governing documents identified in the live Easy Realty Office Policy Manual.
A transaction-specific exception must be expressly documented and approved in writing in accordance with this policy.
Relationship to Other Brokerage Policies #
This policy supplements the live Easy Realty Office Policy Manual and other applicable Brokerage policies.
An agent-owned Brokerage transaction may also be governed by policies addressing:
- Transaction reporting and document submission;
- Advertising;
- Electronic communications;
- Fair Housing and Equal Professional Service;
- MLS participation;
- Listing Coordination;
- Transaction Coordination;
- Compensation;
- Information security and confidentiality;
- Brokerage forms; and
- Other transaction-specific requirements.
Compliance with this policy does not eliminate an Associate’s obligation to comply with another policy applicable to the same transaction.
Policy Changes #
Easy Realty may amend this policy to reflect changes in Brokerage operations, applicable law, regulatory requirements, insurance requirements, MLS requirements, services, risk-management standards, or other legitimate Brokerage requirements.
Unless a controlling requirement provides otherwise, the version currently published in the Easy Realty Policy Hub is the current Brokerage policy.
