“On May 14, 2009, Judy Lowe was appointed Commissioner of the Arizona Department of Real Estate. AAR sat down with the new commissioner in late June 2009 to discuss her goals and get answers to questions submitted by AAR broker members.

RAISING PROFESSIONALISM
AAR: The most popular question that we received from the membership was how to elevate the level of professionalism in the industry. Do you have any plans to raise fees or require more hours to obtain a license, renew a license or become a broker?

Commissioner Lowe: The thing that we hear over and over and over again is: “Please, we’ve got to do something about this professionalism in the industry.” We need to increase the knowledge base of the licensee and the professionalism of the licensee. And whatever it takes to do that, we’re committed to doing that…”

Read the interview: http://www.aaronline.com/documents/JudyLoweAZR2009.aspx

MARCH 31, 2009: BROKER PRICE OPINION

Real estate statutes specifically state that a licensee, in this case a salesperson, may receive compensation for real estate activity only through his/her employing broker. Offering a broker price opinion is considered real estate activity. For more information, contact Mary Utley, ADRE Assistant Commissioner-Personnel, Communications & Legislative Liaison, 602-771-7766.

A new application and format for the Subdivision Disclosure Report are available on the ADRE website. The new forms are effective January 1, 2009; however, the old application and format will still be accepted by ADRE until March 30, 2009.

JANUARY 8, 2009

Dear Friends,

It has been a great honor to serve Arizona as your Real Estate Commissioner. It is with mixed emotions that I tell you that my final day as Commissioner will be effective upon Governor Napolitano's resignation. Should Secretary of State Brewer, upon becoming Governor, wish me to assist the incoming Commissioner during a transition period, I would be pleased to do so. I shall remain available to the new administration as requested.

The ADRE team remains committed to Protecting the Public by offering the same exemplary service you have come to experience during my term. Our success is a testament to the partnerships formed between the Three Entities: The Public, The Industry and The Department. By Promoting Mutual Respect, collectively, we created a new foundation to advance practical and sound real estate policy in our growing state. Please commit yourself to fostering this perspective so we can continue to empower Arizona and emerge from these challenging times as a stronger community.

As you may know, the ADRE Spring 2009 Community Outreach and Education program has been scheduled for February and March. I will complete this tour as a guest speaker with schools who chose to partner with ADRE in offering the program. The COE has been approved for three credits of Commissioner's Standards and information is available at AZRE.gov.

I wish you and the incoming Commissioner great success. Please stay in touch with me through email at Sam@SamWercinski.com or via Facebook.com. If you send me your contact information, I would enjoy visiting with you as I continue to travel around Arizona.

Gratefully and with Sincerest Respect,

Sam Wercinski
Arizona's Real Estate Commissioner
January 2007 – January 2009