REAL Smart with Cheryl King and Maura Neill

It's March, and this month is all about the green...money, that is. In this episode, Maura and Cheryl discuss a new federal law regulating all-cash transactions. Starting March 1, 2026, a new federal FinCEN rule requires reporting of all-cash (non-financed) residential real estate transfers to legal entities or trusts to combat money laundering. This applies to 1-4 unit properties, condos, and some land, covering LLCs, corporations, and trusts nationwide, including Georgia. Title companies must file reports for these transactions, disclosing beneficial owners. Tune in to learn more and make sure you're ready to help your clients navigate the new normal for cash buyers.Link to Cheryl's guide to the new FinCen rules: https://tr.ee/O5AgtbEs3RLink to the National Association of REALTORS® guidance on FinCen Rules: https://www.nar.realtor/money-laundering-and-terrorism-financing/fincen-residential-real-estate-rule-faqs-for-real-estate-professionalsLink to info on the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network website: https://www.fincen.gov/rreLink to Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers, in the National Archives: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/08/29/2024-19198/anti-money-laundering-regulations-for-residential-real-estate-transfers

It's not always a sales contract or client relationship that breaks down; sometimes, it's the agent-broker relationship that needs severing. This week, Maura and Cheryl dive into what agents need to know when leaving a brokerage. From contracts and clients to responsibilities and risk, they cover how to exit well and set yourself up for a smooth transition to what’s next.Download Cheryl's Brokerage Change Self-Evaluation Worksheet, here: https://www.smartstips.com/product-page/brokerage-change-self-evaluation-worksheet

Continuing on the theme of breaking up, this week's episode is a little more positive. This week, Cheryl and Maura focus on contracts that are on the brink -- but not done yet. They discuss when a deal is worth saving, how to de-escalate conflict, and the strategies agents and clients can use to either hold a contract together or thoughtfully let it go.Want to know more? Click here to access Cheryl's Save the Deal Toolkit: https://www.smartstips.com/post/save-the-deal-toolkit

February is all about breaking up -- and this is episode 2 in this month's series. This week, Maura and Cheryl tackle what happens when the agent–client relationship isn’t working anymore. They explore how brokerage agreements can end, what obligations remain after the breakup, and how to part ways professionally and cleanly.Check out Cheryl's Termination and Expiration Guide for even more info! Link here: tr.ee/wfFjhsUd96

REAL Smart's new series format launches this month, and this is Episode 1 of "Breaking Up is Hard To Do." This week, Cheryl and Maura break down what happens when a buyer–seller contract starts to unravel. They discuss who can terminate, when termination is allowed, and how to walk away the right way, without creating bigger legal or financial consequences.Not all contracts stay together, and not all buyers and sellers are a lovematch -- make sure you tune in all month for more on "breaking up"!As promised in this episode, here is a link to Cheryl's "Right to Cure" contract tips -- make sure you listen to the episode for more details! Link here: https://linktr.ee/CherylConnerKing?lt_utm_source=lt_share_link#538673628

On this episode of REAL Smart, Maura and Cheryl are joined by Jack Cotton, CRS, a leading expert on luxury real estate and a REALTOR® in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Jack will be visiting the Georgia REALTORS® on September 9 at our Annual Conference to teach the Residential Real Estate Council's class, "Succeeding in the Luxury Home Market" and joined the podcast to discuss the luxury real estate market, the effects on luxury of the NAR lawsuit proposed settlement, client service, and "The Treehouse Feeling."You can find out more about Jack (and see his video on "The Treehouse Feeling") on Jack's website, www.jackcottonrealtor.com.You can sign up for the "Succeeding in the Luxury Home Market" class at GAR's Annual Conference on September 9, 2024, here (but hurry -- seats are selling quickly): https://garportal.ramcoams.net/Education/Registration/Details.aspx?cid=0b92deda-21f1-ee11-9e94-00155d23443a