2026 Proposed Rule Amendments

On June 26, 2026, the Commission will be holding public hearing on Amendments to Nebraska Real Estate Commission Regulations Title 302, Chapters 1 regarding the sellers property condition disclosure statement changes.

Nebraska Real Estate Commission Warns of Rising Imposter Listing Scam Targeting Buyers and Property Owners

LINCOLN, Neb. — January 8, 2026 — The Nebraska Real Estate Commission (NREC) is alerting consumers, property owners, and real estate professionals to a fast-growing imposter listing scam in which fraudsters pose as legitimate owners to sell land or homes they do not own. Recent reports across Nebraska show an uptick in criminals exploiting publicly available property information to create convincing—but entirely fraudulent—real estate listings.
“These scams are sophisticated, and they can fool even seasoned professionals,” said William Boucher, NREC’s Deputy Director for Enforcement. “The best protection is awareness—knowing the warning signs before money changes hands.”
How the Scam Works
Scammers target properties that are more difficult for owners to monitor, such as vacant land, farmland, empty lots, rental houses, or second homes. Using public records and online real estate data, they gather owner names, mailing addresses, and property details. They may even spoof phone numbers to appear legitimate.
The impersonator contacts a real estate agent posing as the owner and asks to list the property—often below market value to attract immediate interest. They avoid in-person meetings, push for a fast closing, and attempt to direct buyers toward remote or unverifiable payment methods. If the sale proceeds, the buyer loses their funds and does not obtain valid title. Meanwhile, the real owner must untangle fraudulent paperwork, often with legal assistance.
Red Flags
NREC urges Nebraskans to watch for:

• Sellers who refuse live video or in-person ID verification.
• Claims that the seller is out of the country or unavailable.
• Prices significantly below market value or pressure to act fast.
• Instructions to wire funds or use digital payment apps.
• Requests to use the seller’s preferred notary.
• Phone numbers or email addresses that differ from public records.

How Buyers Can Protect Themselves

• Verify the seller’s identity—in person or via live video—before signing a contract.
• Work with a trusted title company and obtain title insurance.
• Independently confirm contact information rather than relying solely on what’s provided.
• If anything feels wrong, contact the broker, NREC, or law enforcement.

How Owners Can Protect Their Property

• Sign up for property fraud alerts where available through county Register of Deeds offices.
• Ensure your recorder has your current mailing address, email, and phone number.
• Claim your property on online platforms (e.g., Zillow, Redfin) to receive alerts about unauthorized activity.

For More Information
Consumers may report suspected fraud to local law enforcement and the Nebraska Real Estate Commission at 402-471-2004.

AI in Real Estate: Use It Wisely

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a common tool in the real estate industry. From writing property descriptions and creating marketing materials to summarizing documents and generating social media content, AI can help licensees work more efficiently. While these tools can save time, they should never replace a licensee's professional judgment or regulatory responsibilities.

AI Is a Tool—Not a Substitute for Professional Responsibility

AI can assist with many everyday tasks, but it cannot verify facts, interpret laws, or exercise the professional judgment required of a Nebraska real estate licensee. Any information generated by AI should always be reviewed for accuracy before it is shared with clients or the public.

Remember: If AI creates the content, you are still responsible for it.

Verify Before You Publish

AI-generated content can occasionally contain inaccurate or outdated information. Before using AI-generated materials, take time to verify:

• Property details, including square footage, legal descriptions, and amenities.
• School district, zoning, and tax information.
• Market statistics and neighborhood information.
• Nebraska laws, rules, and Commission requirements.
• Fair Housing compliance and advertising requirements.

Never assume AI-generated information is correct simply because it is presented confidently.

Protect Confidential Information

Licensees should exercise caution before entering information into any AI platform. Many AI tools process information on external servers, and some may retain user inputs.

Avoid entering confidential or sensitive information such as:

• Client names and personal identifying information.
• Financial or banking information.
• Purchase agreements or transaction documents containing confidential data.
• Information subject to confidentiality agreements.

Protecting client information remains an important professional responsibility regardless of the technology being used.

Use AI Responsibly in Marketing

AI can be an excellent resource for drafting advertisements, creating listing descriptions, or generating ideas for newsletters and social media posts. However, every advertisement must still comply with Nebraska law and Commission rules.

Before publishing AI-generated marketing materials, ask yourself:

• Is the information accurate?
• Could any statement be misleading?
• Does the advertisement comply with Fair Housing laws?
• Does it accurately represent the property?
• Does it include the required brokerage identification?

Keep the Human Element

Real estate is ultimately a relationship business. Buyers and sellers depend on licensees for professional guidance, ethical decision-making, and local expertise—qualities that technology cannot replace.

AI should enhance your work, not replace your knowledge, experience, or communication with clients.

The Bottom Line

Artificial Intelligence is likely to become an increasingly valuable tool for the real estate profession. Used responsibly, it can improve efficiency and productivity. Used carelessly, it can create compliance issues, spread misinformation, or compromise client confidentiality.

The Nebraska Real Estate Commission encourages licensees to embrace new technology while continuing to exercise sound professional judgment, verify information before sharing it, and always place the interests of consumers first.

Remember: AI may assist you in your work, but it does not hold a real estate license—you do.