Speakers' Bureau
Bay East in conjunction with its Professional Standards Council has developed a Speakers’ Bureau. Designed to increase industry professionalism, each 15-minute presentation is filled with timely topics.

To schedule a presentation, select two topics from the Speaker Request Form and fax it to (925) 730-0264. For a quicker response, you can email the form as a PDF attachment to pamb@bayeast.org.  Allow for a two-week lead time when requesting a date.

The following is a list of presentations that we currently offer. 

• Dual/Variable Commissions
  What is it? When and how must it be disclosed? If you do it incorrectly, is it a violation of MLS Rules, Professional Standards, or both? What is the maximum fine for breaking this rule? As the listing agent, do you have to disclose the exact details to an inquiring selling Broker?
• Misuse of remarks in the listing
  What can and what cannot appear in the remarks section of the MLS printout. The answer may surprise you!
• Referral Fees and Gifts
  When are they legal, when are they not? The penalties are severe. It is no joke. Think you can’t get caught? Think again!
• Coming Soon Signs
  Depending on whether you have the potential buyer, or the seller, you may love or hate these signs.  Find out what is abuse and what is a good use of this marketing tool.
• Internet Advertising and Other Media
  What is a “blind ad” according to NAR’s Code of Ethics? Can a REALTOR® call on a FSBO that is listed on the “do not call list”?  In marketing mailers what can you include about active listings, pendings, solds, etc. What is the potential fine for breaking these rules?
• Advertising - Phone, Fax or Email
  If you are cold calling how often must you check the “do not call list”?  What are the fines for violation?
• Advertising – Fair Housing Compliance
  Guideline to assist you in complying with state and federal fair housing laws.
• MLS Time Frames & Data Entry
  What does “LS” mean? What does “EO” mean? In what “views” can you find this information? How long do you have to submit a listing once it is signed by all parties? How long does the seller have to make it available for showing, once it is submitted to MLS? What is the MLS Waiver form? When must it be submitted to MLS? What is the fine if it is not? Suppose the seller has changed some information on you or you have a change to submit, how long do you have to get that into MLS? When you have an old listing that is not selling, and you decide to reissue it as a new listing are you required to get a withdrawal signed from the seller? If so, what is the penalty if you don’t?
• The Rules of Presentations
  When must you go through the listing broker? When can you go directly to the seller? If an offer comes in after an acceptance, do you have to present it? When can you say “no”?  Does the buyer’s broker have the right to present to the seller? Does the seller’s broker have the right to present the counter offer to the buyer? If the listing agent does not present in a timely fashion, is there a $5,000.00 fine?
• Disclosure of Relationships
  When and how do you disclose to a buyer or seller that you have a relationship with the “other” side? What are the penalties?
• Electronic Signatures
  When does the client need a copy? When can you use an electronic copy? What the heck is that?  When should you use a wet signature? (There are 10 specific forms. Do you know them?)
• Phone Contact with a principal
  If a listing broker refuses to disclose the expiration date of a listing to an inquiring broker, can the inquiring broker go to the seller direct to obtain that information? How many hours must a buyer’s broker wait before going to the seller directly? What are the penalties?  
• Unlicensed Activity
  With the increases in commissions, there has been a huge rise in the number of people posing as agents who are not licensed. How and when do you check out a license status?  What do you do if your seller accepts an offer written by someone who is not licensed?
• Procuring Cause
  You write an offer, get it accepted, close the escrow and a month later you get an Arbitration complaint from the Association signed by another agent who claims you owe them your commission... you have a procuring cause problem. Find out all about procuring cause and how it affects you and your commission checks.
• Compensation
  Who knew there were so many rules?  Who pays the buyers agent? Can you offer a bonus in MLS for selling your listing? Can you change the commission offered on your listing? Can you get a higher commission than is offered on another broker's listing? What happens to the commission on a short sale? The answers might surprise you, but knowing the right answers may save you thousands of dollars!