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Creating a Business Name
I’m trying to create a business name that reflects my dual role as a real estate agent and mortgage loan officer in California. Since I operate individually and not as part of a team or a broker, I want to make sure the name is compliant with state regulations. Can anyone offer guidance on the legal requirements for selecting a business name in California, especially for someone providing both real estate and mortgage services?
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7 Replies
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If anyone familiar with dually licensed branding can help Chad Bush, it will be greatly appreciated.
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Branding your name while highlighting your dual role as a licensed real estate agent and mortgage loan officer can create a strong personal brand. Here are some name options that incorporate “Chad Bush” and reflect your professional services:
- Chad Bush Realty & Mortgage
- Chad Bush Real Estate & Loans
- Chad Bush Home & Finance
- Chad Bush Realty & Lending
- Chad Bush Property & Mortgage
- Chad Bush Realty & Financial Services
- Chad Bush Real Estate & Finance
- Chad Bush Property & Loans
- Chad Bush Homes & Lending
- Chad Bush Realty & Mortgage Solutions
- Chad Bush Real Estate & Mortgage
- Chad Bush Property & Finance
- Chad Bush Home Realty & Loans
- Chad Bush Realty & Loan Services
- Chad Bush Realty & Finance Group
- Chad Bush Real Estate & Lending
- Chad Bush Realty & Loan Partners
- Chad Bush Homes & Mortgage Services
- Chad Bush Realty & Mortgage Experts
- Chad Bush Property & Loan Solutions
- Chad Bush Real Estate & Mortgage Group
- Chad Bush Realty & Mortgage Partners
- Chad Bush Realty & Finance Solutions
- Chad Bush Real Estate & Mortgage Advisors
These options are designed to emphasize your personal brand while clearly communicating your dual expertise in both real estate and mortgage services. This can help clients easily associate your name with the professional services you offer.
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To provide business name suggestions that reflect your roles as a real estate agent and mortgage loan officer, while being compliant and brandable, I have proposed the following options:
Mortgage & Coastal Realty
Sunset Realty & Lending
First Choice Realty & Financial Services
Pacific Shores Realty & Loans
Casa Frontal Realtors & Mortgage Bankers
CaliProperty & Loans
Realty Solutions Plus Lending LLC.
Golden Horizon Realty & Finance
AllState Realty Group Inc dba AllState Mortgage Services
West Coast Property Brokers Inc dba West Coast Financial Services
Unified Residential Investments Inc dba Unified Loan Servicing Center (ULSC)
Sky Blue Real Estate Agents Ltd t/a Blue Sky Home Loans (BSHL)
Golden Gate Homes Ltd dba Golden Gate Mortgage Co.
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To create a business name representing your roles as a real estate agent and mortgage loan officer within California, it is necessary to adhere to California’s DRE and NMLS regulations. This involves balancing branding requirements against legal constraints. Here are some suggestions on how you can go about this:
Legal Requirements And Compliance
Rules of California DRE: – The designation of a licensee in real estate must be evident in the name.
- If using a Doing Business As (DBA) name, it should be registered with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).
- The title must be clear and suggest being a broker to obtain such a license.
- If you use your name for your company’s appellation, like “Chad Bush Realty,” ensure it complies with DRE rules.
National Mortgage Licensing System Regulations:
- On the mortgage side, words that show one is an authorized Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) must appear in their official business names.
- Names implying the provision of goods or services not covered by your licenses should be avoided.
- State and federal authorities require NMLS registration.
Branding Considerations
Reflecting Dual Role:
- Consider including both parts of your business in one name, e.g., “California Property & Finance Solutions” or “Golden State Realty & Loans.”
- Use keywords that resonate with these industries, such as Realty, Loans, and Finance Properties.
Simplicity and Memorability: Keep it simple but professional enough so people don’t forget easily. Avoid names that are too complex, which might be difficult for clients to remember or spell correctly.
Domain Name Availability: Check if an available domain matches the desired web address for your business site. Ensure consistency between the domain and its corresponding company name.
Examples Of Potential Business Names
- Golden Gate Realty & Loans
- California Home & Finance Solutions
- West Coast Realty & Lending
- Golden State Property & Finance
- Pacific Realty & Mortgage Solutions
- California Property Finance
- Fictitious Business Name (DBA)
If you decide to use a DBA, it must be registered with the county where your office is based. Ensure that it complies with both DRE and NMLS.
Consultation And Legal Review
Legal Counsel: You should consult an attorney specializing in California’s real estate and mortgage law to review any chosen name(s) for compliance.
Check with DRE/NMLS: Before settling on one, check if it’s compliant and unused through California’s Department of Real Estate (DRE) or National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS).
By following these steps and considering the guidelines, you can create a business name that accurately represents both sides of your professional life while staying within all necessary legal boundaries.
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The state of California DRE should not butt in with the name of you being dually licensed. Your loan officer licensed is not with the DRE
It’s with the DFI. Therefore you need just be concerned with the realtor side of the business.
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Thanks for all the feedback! After discussing my options with compliance departments on both the real estate and mortgage sides, I’ve found that my options are somewhat limited. Since I’m a real estate salesperson and not a broker, I can’t create a DBA for my real estate business on my own. I’m only allowed to use my name and job title, for example, “Chad Bush, Realtor.”
So, I have two options: I can market myself using just my name and titles, such as “Chad Bush, Realtor and Loan Officer,” or I can separate the two businesses. For the mortgage side, I can then create an MLO-specific business name that only follows Nexa’s guidelines, including mentioning “powered by Nexa Mortgage” in the business name.
Unfortunately, those seem to be the only allowable options.
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I suggest to start an S-Corp and use a Powered by The S-Corp. For now have a holding or marketing company.