The Real Estate Agency Work Group met July 21, 2008, to receive the Commissioner’s report on the Agency as a follow-up to the Joint Interim Task Force on Real Estate Agency Oversight.

The Real Estate Board approved the permanent rule for advertising (OAR 863-015-0125) and the new rules defining the criminal background check process for license applicants. There were no changes in the language of the temporary advertising rule, so the permanent rule continues the requirements that have been in place since January 18.

The Agency encourages anyone interested in receiving information on administrative rule changes to notify us. We have both regular mail and e-mail notification methods available.

Selina Barnes has been selected as the new Regulation Division Manager. Ms. Barnes has been with the Agency for six years, most recently in the position of Licensing Division Manager.

The Real Estate Agency is no longer selling the publication "Questions and Answers in Real Estate" (also known as the "yellow book").

The Agency also wishes to remind interested parties that the questions in the "Questions and Answers in Real Estate" are copyrighted. Making copies of the book without permission of the Agency is not allowed.

Please contact the Agency if you have any questions.

Effective May 23, 2008, Senate Bill 1101 clarifies language pertaining to the withholding of income taxes for certain real estate transactions.

Oregon's 150th birthday will be on February 14th, 2009. You can join in on the festivities by submitting your "Oregon Story," share your hopes for Oregon's future with the "Oregon Dreams Blog," or participate in the great events scheduled across the state.

The Real Estate Agency is conducting a review of the administrative rules under its authority. The Agency convened work groups and larger advisory committees to undertake this task. The goals of the review are to ensure that the rules are understandable, protect the consumer, and promote a healthy real estate market.

A "condominium" is a special form of property ownership which is created and governed in Oregon by statute (ORS 100.005 to 100.910 and 100.990), known as the "Oregon Condominium Act."

If you are a new Oregon broker, you must take the 30-hour Advanced Real Estate Practices (AP) course before your first active license renewal.