A proposed North Carolina bill could fundamentally reshape how individuals can participate in real estate transactions, according to one industry veteran who sees it as part of a broader trend toward increased regulation of real estate investing.
William Tingle, host of The Sub2Deals Show and a 26-year veteran of real estate investing, points to the April 2023 North Carolina legislation as a warning sign of potentially restrictive changes coming to the industry. “The bigger anything gets, the more legislated it gets. And we’re seeing a lot more bills being introduced, a lot more laws being passed, controlling, or trying to control what we do as investors,” Tingle says.
The North Carolina bill, while ostensibly aimed at wholesalers, contains language that could affect all types of real estate transactions, according to Tingle. “This thing has such a fine point on it that they really want to prevent an unlicensed person from even speaking to a potential seller of a residential property,” he explains.
The implications of such legislation could extend far beyond professional investors. Tingle provides a striking example: “Even if you’re out trimming your hedges one day and your neighbor says they need to sell their house quickly, you can’t even have a conversation with your neighbor about buying his property without a real estate licensed agent being involved in that transaction.”
While the North Carolina bill is just one example, Tingle sees it as part of a larger trend toward increased regulation of real estate transactions. “That’s a little bit concerning, that the government’s getting more involved in what we do and trying to control it,” he notes.
The proposed restrictions could particularly affect small-scale investors and individuals looking to build retirement portfolios through real estate. According to Tingle, these regulations could make it more difficult for people to engage in traditional networking and relationship-based deal-finding.
Despite these regulatory headwinds, Tingle maintains that opportunities remain for investors willing to adapt. “If you’re doing creative real estate financing, you can make money in any market. I’ve been doing it for 26 years, and I’ve seen a couple of changes. It’s all good,” he says.
Tingle’s company represents one approach to navigating increasing regulation, maintaining awareness of legislative changes while focusing on legitimate, value-adding transactions. As the industry continues to evolve, investors may need to become more sophisticated in their understanding of regulatory requirements while maintaining ethical business practices.
Looking ahead, the challenge for the industry will be finding ways to protect consumers while preserving individuals’ ability to engage in private property transactions. As these regulations continue to develop, investors and industry participants will need to stay informed and potentially adapt their business models.
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