Rep. Howard files bill in North Carolina House to regulate residential property wholesaling

A new bill filed by State Rep. Howard seeks to regulate residential property wholesaling and grant homeowners the right to cancel related transactions, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 797 on April 7 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Residential Property Wholesaling Protection.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill revises North Carolina real estate license law to classify residential property wholesaling as real estate brokerage activity requiring licensure and grants homeowners the right to cancel related transactions. Defined activities include soliciting, marketing, or selling purchase contracts for residential properties without the intent of the soliciting party to reside in the property. Homeowners can cancel the purchase contract up until midnight of the 30th day after execution or until the conveyance of deed or title, whichever occurs first. Such cancellations must be confirmed via certified mail or other traceable delivery methods, with all payments refunded within 10 business days. Failure to honor this right constitutes unfair or deceptive trade practices, enforceable under Chapter 75. The effective date is Oct. 1, 2025, for purchase contracts entered thereafter.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Brian Biggs proposed the most bills (40) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Howard graduated from Salem College in 2003 with a BA.

Howard, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 77th House district, replacing previous state representative Harry Warren.