A suspicious real estate deal can involve more than an unusual offer. It can involve someone using property to make illegally obtained money look legitimate. And while most buyers and sellers are simply trying to complete a transaction, real estate professionals should understand how criminals can exploit the process.

Money laundering can involve hiding the true owner of a property, using complicated business structures, or purchasing real estate with funds from illegal activity. Knowing the warning signs can help agents recognize when a transaction deserves additional scrutiny.

When Should a Real Estate Deal Raise Questions?

An all-cash offer isn’t automatically a red flag. Neither is buying a property through an LLC or trust. Investors use these arrangements for legitimate reasons every day.

The concern arises when details don’t add up. A buyer may be unusually secretive about who ultimately owns the purchasing entity, provide inconsistent information, or pressure others to rush through a transaction without a reasonable explanation. A complicated ownership structure combined with unexplained funding arrangements may warrant further attention.

The goal isn’t to make assumptions about a buyer. It’s to recognize unusual circumstances, follow established procedures, and know when to seek guidance.

What Can Real Estate Professionals Do?

Start with your brokerage’s policies and the guidance available from your professional associations. Keep appropriate transaction records, ask relevant questions within your role, and raise concerns with your managing broker, compliance professional, or attorney when necessary.

Never knowingly help someone conceal the source of funds or the true parties to a transaction. Don’t promise secrecy beyond what the law and your professional obligations permit, either.

The National Association of REALTORS® offers voluntary anti-money-laundering guidelines to help professionals understand the risks and take reasonable steps to mitigate them. These guidelines are a useful starting point for brokerages that want to improve awareness and establish consistent procedures.

What About Federal Reporting Requirements in 2026?

The rules have changed. FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Rule, which was scheduled to require reports for certain non-financed residential property transfers to entities and trusts, was vacated by a federal court on March 19, 2026.

FinCEN says covered parties are not currently required to file reports under that rule while the court order remains in force. The government has appealed the decision, so professionals should monitor official updates rather than rely on outdated reporting deadlines.

Importantly, the pause in this particular reporting rule does not mean money laundering is legal or that every other applicable legal obligation has disappeared. Specific requirements can depend on the transaction, the parties involved, and other applicable laws.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs

A successful closing isn’t just about getting signatures and handing over the keys. It’s also about handling the transaction responsibly.

Real estate agents don’t need to become financial investigators, but they do need to understand the risks, follow their brokerage’s procedures, and take credible concerns seriously.

When something doesn’t add up, don’t simply brush it aside to get the deal done. Ask appropriate questions, seek professional guidance, and stay current as the rules evolve. Protecting the integrity of a real estate transaction helps protect clients, professionals, and the wider market.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine
“Know Your Role in Preventing Money Laundering in Real Estate”
National Association of REALTORS®

Buying or selling a home can be stressful enough without a disagreement with your real estate agent turning into a neighborhood-sized drama. Maybe wires got crossed, expectations weren’t clear, or a conversation went sideways. Before a small misunderstanding becomes a major headache, there may be a simpler way to get everyone back on speaking terms.

It’s called an ombudsman program, and it could help resolve certain real estate disputes without immediately jumping into a formal complaint process.

What Is a Real Estate Ombudsman?

Think of an ombudsman as a neutral third party who helps people talk through a problem and find common ground. Local and state REALTOR® associations offer ombudsman services, either directly or through arrangements with other associations.

Rather than starting with paperwork and formal proceedings, the process typically involves informal communication, often by phone. The ombudsman listens to the concerns, helps clarify what went wrong, and encourages everyone involved to work toward a reasonable solution.

Sometimes, the problem isn’t bad intentions. It’s a missed message, an assumption that turned out to be wrong, or two people looking at the same situation from completely different angles. A little help getting the conversation back on track can make a big difference.

When Could an Ombudsman Help?

Imagine a home seller who believes their agent hasn’t communicated adequately about showing requests. Or a buyer who feels their questions have gone unanswered. Frustration builds, assumptions take over, and suddenly everyone is unhappy.

An ombudsman may help the parties explain their concerns, understand each other’s perspective, and work toward a resolution before the disagreement escalates.

The goal isn’t to declare a winner or hand out penalties. It’s to encourage constructive communication and resolve misunderstandings when possible.

However, an ombudsman is not a substitute for every type of complaint process. Serious allegations, disputes requiring formal investigation, legal claims, or matters outside the program’s authority may need a different route. Ombudsman procedures and available remedies also vary by association.

What Should Buyers and Sellers Do If a Problem Arises?

Start by communicating directly with your agent or the agent’s broker, when appropriate. Explain what concerns you, stick to the facts, and be clear about what would help resolve the situation. Keep relevant emails, messages, and documents so you can explain the issue accurately.

If that conversation doesn’t solve the problem, contact your local or state REALTOR® association to ask whether its ombudsman program is appropriate. You don’t have to assume that a formal complaint is your only option.

Remember, using an ombudsman does not mean you must give up other options that may be available to you.

The 2026 Takeaway: Speak Up Before Frustration Takes Over

Real estate transactions involve significant money, important deadlines, and plenty of moving parts. Clear communication matters, but misunderstandings can still happen. What matters next is how the problem gets handled.

For buyers and sellers, knowing about ombudsman services gives you another possible resource when communication breaks down. For real estate professionals, it’s a reminder that listening, responding promptly, and addressing concerns early can protect client relationships and help prevent small problems from growing.

The bottom line: You don’t have to turn every real estate disagreement into a courtroom-style showdown. Sometimes, a neutral voice and a productive conversation can help everyone move forward. And when a problem is more serious, knowing where to turn can be just as important.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine
“Reaching Amicable Agreements”
National Association of REALTORS®

Can a landlord get into trouble for something they claim they didn’t know? In fair housing, the answer may be yes. A court case involving a rental applicant and her emotional support animal shows why landlords need to pay attention to what prospective tenants communicate—not just the exact words they use.

The case involved Ashley McClendon and Sarah Gailey, who applied to rent a property from Peter Bresler in 2020. The rental advertisement stated that dogs were not allowed, but Gailey contacted the landlord to request permission for McClendon’s support animal, a 50-pound terrier mix named Tinkerbell.

The landlord objected to the dog’s size and ultimately denied the rental application. Although the applicants did not spell out McClendon’s specific disabilities, their emails described the animal as a verified support animal and referred to reasonable accommodations and disability-related protections.

The landlord argued that he had not been given enough information to know the applicant had a disability. Initially, a federal district court agreed. But the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision in December 2022, explaining that a person requesting an accommodation for a service or assistance animal does not necessarily have to explicitly disclose a disability to receive fair housing protections.

The case returned to the lower court, which awarded McClendon $14,800 in damages in March 2023. The court found that the landlord reasonably should have known about her disability based on the communications he received.

What does this mean for landlords and real estate professionals in 2026?

The lesson is simple: Pay attention to what applicants are telling you. A request involving an assistance animal may trigger responsibilities under fair housing laws, even when the person has not disclosed a specific diagnosis.

Here are three important reminders:

• Avoid blanket rules. A strict no-pets policy does not automatically eliminate a housing provider’s obligation to consider a reasonable accommodation for an assistance animal.
• Take requests seriously. References to a support animal, a disability-related need, or a reasonable accommodation should prompt a careful review rather than an automatic rejection.
• Communicate before making decisions. When a request raises questions, follow the applicable fair housing procedures and seek qualified legal guidance when necessary.

The bottom line? In real estate, what you know—and what you reasonably should have understood—can make a significant difference. Clear communication, thoughtful decision-making, and a willingness to follow fair housing requirements can help protect both housing providers and the people seeking a place to call home.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine
“What Did the Property Owner Know?”
National Association of REALTORS®

Need a fresh listing description, a clever social media post, or a marketing image that makes people stop scrolling? AI can whip up ideas faster than you can finish your morning coffee. But before you copy, paste, and publish your next AI-powered masterpiece, there’s a catch worth knowing: creating content with AI doesn’t automatically give you ownership rights or permission to use everything it produces.

For real estate professionals in 2026, the trick is learning how to enjoy the benefits of AI without letting a convenient shortcut become an expensive headache.

The Copyright Catch Nobody Wants to Discover Later

Imagine spending hours building your brand around a fantastic marketing graphic, only to discover that you may not have exclusive rights to protect it. Or picture publishing an AI-generated image that unexpectedly includes material resembling someone else’s copyrighted work.

Both situations raise important questions about ownership and permitted use.

Under current U.S. copyright guidance, material generated entirely by AI generally isn’t protected by copyright on its own. Human creativity still matters. Original writing, meaningful creative changes, and the way human-created elements are arranged may qualify for protection, depending on the circumstances.

In other words, entering a clever prompt isn’t necessarily the same thing as creating a work you can legally protect. If you want your marketing materials to stand out as your own, contribute meaningful human creativity rather than relying entirely on an automated result.

When a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Problems

AI image tools can help buyers imagine possibilities, but there’s a big difference between showing a home’s potential and changing its reality.

Want to remove a stray garden hose from a listing photo? That may be a harmless cleanup. Want to make water stains disappear, erase a visible crack, or digitally transform a small room into something far more spacious? Now you’re entering dangerous territory.

Buyers need an honest picture of the property they’re considering. Under Articles 2 and 12 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, REALTORS® must avoid misrepresenting pertinent facts and must present a truthful picture in their advertising and other communications.

If you use AI to enhance property photos, make sure the changes don’t mislead consumers about the home’s actual condition, features, or appearance. When an image illustrates a proposed renovation rather than the property’s current state, make that distinction clear.

Three Ways to Keep Your AI Experiments on the Right Track

1. Don’t publish on autopilot. Read every AI-generated description, email, advertisement, and social post before it goes live. Confirm property details, check claims, and remove anything inaccurate or misleading.

2. Treat online content with respect. A photo or graphic doesn’t become free to use simply because an AI tool produced it. Check licenses and usage terms, obtain permission when necessary, and keep written records.

3. Add your own creative fingerprints. Use AI to brainstorm and build a first draft, then bring in your expertise, original wording, and creative decisions. If protecting your work matters, understand which elements may qualify for copyright protection and document your contributions.

Give AI a Seat at the Table, Not the Final Say

AI can help real estate professionals save time, explore marketing ideas, and get past the dreaded blank page. What it can’t do is take responsibility for your professional decisions.

Copyright questions, misleading advertising, and unauthorized use of creative work can still create trouble, even when technology did most of the heavy lifting. Brokerage policies, platform terms, and applicable laws also deserve attention.

The winning approach? Let AI help you work smarter, but keep your own judgment firmly in charge. Your clients deserve accurate information, other creators deserve respect for their work, and your business deserves marketing that won’t come back to haunt you.

Because the goal isn’t simply to create content faster. It’s to create better marketing that you can use confidently and responsibly.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine
“AI Use in Real Estate Comes With Copyright Concerns”
National Association of REALTORS®

Moving to a new home is exciting, but if your family includes a four-legged member, there’s more to your moving checklist than finding the perfect backyard. State laws governing pets can vary significantly, and overlooking an entry requirement could turn moving day into an unexpected headache. For real estate professionals helping clients relocate in 2026, a little advance planning can make the transition much smoother.

A New State, A New Set of Pet Rules

Many states require dogs and cats entering their borders to have current rabies vaccinations and a certificate of veterinary inspection. Other states may have additional requirements, deadlines or testing rules. Hawaii, for example, has special rabies-prevention and quarantine procedures that can require considerable advance planning.

The important takeaway? Don’t assume the rules in your new state are the same as those back home. Before moving, check the destination state’s official agriculture or veterinary authority and ask your veterinarian which documents, vaccinations and tests your pet may need. If you’re moving across state lines, start early rather than scrambling for paperwork the week the moving truck arrives.

Renting a Home With Pets? Read the Fine Print

Getting your pet across state lines is only half the adventure. If you’re renting, you’ll also want to review the lease, pet policies, deposits, fees, breed or size restrictions, and any applicable state or local laws. Rules can vary, so don’t assume a policy that worked at your previous address will automatically apply at your next one.

There’s another important distinction: ordinary pets and assistance animals aren’t treated the same under fair housing law. Assistance-animal requests may involve reasonable-accommodation obligations, and federal guidance in this area changed in 2026. Housing providers should review current federal, state and local requirements before making decisions about these requests. When the situation isn’t clear, seek qualified legal guidance rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all policy.

How REALTORS® Can Help Clients Prepare

Real estate professionals don’t need to become veterinarians or animal-law experts, but they can help relocating buyers and renters avoid unpleasant surprises. Encourage clients to research pet-entry rules early, confirm housing restrictions before signing a lease or purchase agreement, and contact the appropriate authorities with questions.

A home may have the perfect kitchen, a beautiful yard and room for everyone to spread out. But if your furry co-pilot can’t make the move smoothly, that dream home could come with a few extra hurdles.

The bottom line for 2026: Check the rules, gather the paperwork and plan ahead. A little preparation can help your clients—and their pets—settle into their new home with fewer surprises and a lot more tail-wagging.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine
“Know Your State’s Laws Around New Residents With Pets”
National Association of REALTORS®