This new ruling (16 CFR Part 322) came in under the regulatory framework of the FTC and very people or organizations seem to be aware of it.  Please read the ruling.  Footnote 126 directly refers to the NAR requesting an exemption for Realtors and the FTC denying such.  IF YOU ARE NEGOTIATING A SHORT SALE, YOU MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RULE which is burdensome. I am presenting the first seminar today to a Realtor group and shall hopefully 1)make it out of the seminar alive, 2)provide a process for Realtor compliance so they can continue short sale negotiations.  If not, who will handle the negotiations? (most attorneys are overburdened and not knowledgeable in the daily negotiation process). 

WHERE WAS OUR REPRESENTATION TO INFORM US OF THIS NEW RULING? Just curious!

126: As a general matter, the Final Rule is not
intended to apply to the marketing of services to
assist consumers in selling their properties to third
parties. The Final Rule, however, does specifically
cover the marketing of services involving the sale
of properties to third parties if those services are
designed or intended to assist consumers in
averting foreclosure, e.g., through a short sale or
deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. One commenter urged
the Commission to exempt licensed real estate
professionals from the Final Rule. NAR at 1–2. The
commenter argued the Rule would restrict real
estate agents in helping consumers with the process
of selling their homes through short sales. Id. The
Commission concludes that an exemption for real
estate agents is not necessary. Real estate agents
customarily assist consumers in selling or buying
homes and perform functions such as listing homes
for sale, showing homes, and finding desirable
homes for consumers. The Commission is aware
that real estate agents may perform these functions
when properties are bought or sold through a short
sale transaction, but does not consider these
services to be MARS.