Chattanooga, TN, September 13, 2025
News Summary
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has published a report outlining disciplinary actions taken against several real estate professionals in Chattanooga. The report underscores the vital importance of ethical practices and regulatory compliance in the real estate sector. Professionals such as Erika Cooke, Brandy Coleman, and others faced penalties for various violations, reinforcing the need for transparency and accountability. The department urges consumers to report unethical behavior to help uphold the integrity of real estate transactions in the area.
Chattanooga, TN – In a significant move reflecting the regulatory oversight of the real estate industry, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has released a report detailing various disciplinary actions taken against real estate professionals in the Chattanooga area in 2025. The report highlights the commitment to maintain ethical standards and transparency within the sector.
The Tennessee Real Estate Commission oversees the conduct of various real estate professionals, including brokers, affiliate brokers, firms, rental location agents, time-share salespersons, and vacation services. Among the individuals facing disciplinary measures are Erika Cooke, Brandy Coleman, Sabrina Janow, Paul Teruya, Holly Sharp, and Cindi Richardson, each cited for different violations of the commission’s regulations.
Details of Disciplinary Actions
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Erika Cooke
Date: February 20, 2025
Disciplinary action: $1,000 fine and a four-hour communication/social media course.
Violation: Failure to provide honest and good faith services to all parties. Cooke expressed dissatisfaction with a buyer’s offer on social media, jeopardizing the transaction, later admitting to poor judgment.
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Brandy Coleman
Date: March 6, 2025
Disciplinary action: $1,000 fine.
Violation: Failure to exercise reasonable skill and care in transaction services. Coleman misguided a buyer to leave an earnest check with a home inspector who later destroyed it, complicating financing amendments.
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Sabrina Janow
Date: March 24, 2025
Disciplinary action: $1,000 fine.
Violation: Failure to exercise reasonable skill and care in transaction services. Janow used prior offer documents to submit a new offer without buyer consent, resulting in lost earnest money for buyers.
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Paul Teruya
Date: March 25, 2025
Disciplinary action: $1,000 fine.
Violation: Engaging in unlicensed activity. Teruya conducted real estate transactions with an expired license and only renewed it after receiving a complaint.
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Holly Sharp
Date: April 7, 2025
Disciplinary action: $1,000 fine.
Violation: Failure to exercise reasonable skill and care in transaction services. Sharp provided misleading details about a buyer’s loan approval, causing sellers to lose earnest money on an alternative property.
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Cindi Richardson
Date: April 10, 2025
Disciplinary action: $1,000 fine.
Violation: Failure to provide honest and good faith services to all parties. Richardson misrepresented herself as the buyer’s agent and obtained confidential information from another agent without authorization, jeopardizing the transaction’s integrity.
Consumer Responsibility
The Department of Commerce and Insurance encourages consumers to be vigilant and report any unfair practices or suspected violations. Such reporting is critical in upholding integrity and trust in real estate transactions in the Chattanooga area.
These disciplinary actions shed light on the necessity for ethical conduct and the importance of maintaining standards within the real estate profession. As the local market continues to grow, ensuring that professionals adhere to these regulations remains paramount for consumer protection and market stability.
FAQs
What type of professionals does the Tennessee Real Estate Commission regulate?
The commission regulates brokers, affiliate brokers, real estate firms, rental location agents, time-share salespersons, and vacation services.
What are the consequences for real estate professionals who violate regulations?
Consequences include fines and mandatory courses to improve professional conduct, as seen with recent disciplinary actions resulting in $1,000 fines.
How can consumers report unethical practices in real estate?
Consumers can report unfair practices or suspected violations to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, which is crucial to maintaining integrity in the real estate profession.
Key Features of Recent Disciplinary Actions
| Professional | Date of Action | Disciplinary Action | Violation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erika Cooke | February 20, 2025 | $1,000 fine & communication course | Failure of honest services |
| Brandy Coleman | March 6, 2025 | $1,000 fine | Failure of skill and care |
| Sabrina Janow | March 24, 2025 | $1,000 fine | Failure of skill and care |
| Paul Teruya | March 25, 2025 | $1,000 fine | Unlicensed activity |
| Holly Sharp | April 7, 2025 | $1,000 fine | Failure of skill and care |
| Cindi Richardson | April 10, 2025 | $1,000 fine | Failure of honest services |
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Six Chattanooga Area Real Estate Agents Fined
- Chattanoogan: Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
- McKnight’s: Life Care’s Existence Fretted
- Times Free Press: Downtown Chattanooga Parking
- Chattanoogan: Hamilton County’s New Online Tool
- Wikipedia: Real Estate
- Google Search: Real Estate Ethics
- Google Scholar: Real Estate Regulations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Real Estate
- Google News: Chattanooga Real Estate News
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