BIC TIP #1277: 9/1 Is New Only!

9/1. Not “nine-one,” and not “ninety-one.” September 1st. In this BIC TIP, Stephen Long reminds brokers that September 1 is when the new standard forms are implemented, there is a short grace period for older forms, and by November 1 every new agency agreement and contract needs to be on the new versions.

September 1: The New Forms Arrive

September 1 is the date the new forms are implemented for Realtors using the standard forms. That includes the forms many brokers use every single day, from agency agreements to purchase contracts.

If you have been putting off looking at them, consider this your official nudge.

The Grace Period Is Not a Vacation

According to Stephen, there is a 60-day grace period during which you can still do a bit of both, using older forms alongside the new ones.

But do not mistake that window for permission to ignore the new forms. As of November 1, any new agency agreements or new contracts need to be on the new forms. The grace period is time to transition, not time to procrastinate.

Yes, We Know You Are a Procrastinator

Stephen says it with love: if you have not already looked at the new forms, and you are a procrastinator, go look at them now. Read them. Compare them to what you are used to. Note what changed and where your old habits might trip you up.

Update your templates, your listing packets, your buyer consultation materials, and your transaction management system so the right versions are ready to go. Then ask your broker-in-charge about any firm-specific procedures for the transition.

The Practical Takeaway

When you sit in front of a buyer or seller client, or across the table from another agent, you want to be the person who knows the new forms cold. Get familiar now, use the grace period wisely, and be fully on the new forms well before November 1.

Get them under control, and you will be prepared when it counts.

This BIC Tip is general real estate education for licensees and consumers, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules and forms change, so verify current NCREC rules, MLS rules, and standard forms, and consult a North Carolina attorney or qualified professional about your specific situation. See Disclaimers & Disclosures.