Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to AFHMarketplace.com, Washington’s specialized Adult Family Home (AFH) real estate platform.

AFHMarketplace.com is owned and operated by:

Petru Mihaluta
Licensed real estate broker and REALTOR® – Washington License #22035924
Windermere Real Estate/South Sound, Inc. – Washington Brokerage License #18513
Certified Adult Family Home (AFH) Administrator 

Office: 33455 6th Ave S, Suite 1-A, Federal Way, WA 98003

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of AFHMarketplace.com (the “Website”), including all content, features, and services available through the site.

By accessing or using this Website, you:

  • Confirm that you are at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into a binding agreement.
  • Acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.
  • Agree that these Terms work together with the following, which are incorporated by reference:
    • Legal Disclosures & Investment Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Website.

2. Who We Are & What We Do

AFHMarketplace.com is a real-estate–focused platform built specifically around Adult Family Home–related properties in Washington State, including:

  • Licensed Adult Family Homes
  • CHOW (Change of Ownership) opportunities
  • AFH-suitable or AFH-potential properties
  • AFH-aware market education and resources

Real estate brokerage services are provided strictly within the scope of Washington State real estate law, RCW 18.86, through Windermere Real Estate/South Sound, Inc.

Service areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Counties: King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Thurston
  • Languages: English, Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian

This Website is designed to:

  • Help buyers, sellers, AFH operators, landlords, and investors understand and navigate AFH-related real estate opportunities.
  • Provide real-estate–focused education and context about the AFH space.
  • Offer ways to contact and engage with Petru for real estate services (e.g., consultations, AFH property review, market analysis).

3. Professional Scope & What We Do Not Provide

All professional services offered are real estate brokerage services only, under RCW 18.86 through Windermere Real Estate/South Sound, Inc.

3.1 Services Within Scope

Within real estate licensing boundaries, Petru may provide:

  • Real estate brokerage and representation (buyers, sellers, landlords)
  • AFH-focused property search, identification, and screening
  • Comparative Market Analyses (CMAs) and AFH-aware pricing guidance
  • AFH Property Review (real-estate–only suitability review)
  • Transaction coordination, contract facilitation, and negotiations
  • AFH-related market education from a real estate perspective

3.2 Services Outside Scope (Very Important)

You must not rely on this Website or Petru for:

  • Legal services or advice
    • Interpreting laws or regulations
    • Drafting contracts (outside standard real estate forms)
    • Advising on business entities or liability structure
  • Tax, accounting, or financial planning advice
    • Tax planning, tax preparation, or optimization
    • Investment portfolio design or securities advice
    • Business valuation or certified appraisals
  • DSHS licensing or regulatory advice
    • Preparing or filing AFH license or CHOW applications
    • Predicting or guaranteeing DSHS approvals, timelines, or outcomes
    • Interpreting RCW 70.128, WAC 388-76, or other regulations for your specific case
  • Operational, staffing, or clinical guidance
    • AFH business operations or profitability consulting
    • Staffing models, HR, or care protocols
    • Medical, clinical, or care-planning advice
  • Construction or building-code services
    • Engineering, architectural, or contractor services
    • Building code compliance verification
    • Fire code or accessibility compliance determinations

3.3 Referrals to Other Professionals

When appropriate, Petru may refer you to independent professionals, such as:

  • Attorneys
  • CPAs / tax professionals
  • AFH licensing or operational consultants
  • Lenders
  • Inspectors and contractors
  • Financial advisors

Referrals are provided as a courtesy only. Petru does not receive referral fees or compensation from these providers and does not guarantee their services, advice, or results.

You are required to consult your own licensed professionals for legal, tax, financial, operational, and clinical advice.

4. Acceptance of Changes to These Terms

We may update or modify these Terms at any time, for example when:

  • Laws or regulations change
  • Website features evolve
  • New services are introduced

Changes will be effective when posted with an updated “Last Updated” date. For material changes, we may also provide a notice on the Website or via email (if applicable).

Your continued use of the Website after changes are posted means you accept the updated Terms.
If you do not agree with updated Terms, you must stop using the Website.

5. Eligibility & Basic User Requirements

To use AFHMarketplace.com, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old (or age of majority in your jurisdiction)
  • Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract
  • Use the Website in compliance with all applicable laws and these Terms

If you use any login, client portal, or account functionality (if added now or in the future), you are responsible for:

  • Keeping your login credentials secure
  • All activity occurring under your account
  • Notifying us promptly of any unauthorized use

6. Acceptable Use & Prohibited Conduct

You agree to use AFHMarketplace.com only for lawful, legitimate purposes related to AFH real estate.

You may not:

  • Copy, scrape, or systematically harvest Website content or MLS data
  • Use bots, crawlers, or other automated tools to extract data
  • Attempt to breach security, probe vulnerabilities, or disrupt the Website
  • Upload or submit content that is defamatory, obscene, harassing, discriminatory, or unlawful
  • Use the Website to violate the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) or Washington’s Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60)
  • Impersonate any person or misrepresent your affiliation
  • Use Website content to compete with AFHMarketplace.com
  • Circumvent NWMLS rules, including Clear Cooperation Policy, through use of MLS data displayed here

We may suspend or terminate your access if you violate these Terms or applicable law.

7. Educational Content & No Guarantees

Many pages of AFHMarketplace.com provide educational content, including:

  • Articles, guides, and checklists
  • Market context and trends
  • Overviews of AFH ownership paths (licensed AFH, CHOW, AFH-suitable property)
  • General explanations of AFH regulatory context

This content is for general information only and:

  • Is not legal, tax, financial, medical, operational, or licensing advice
  • Is not tailored to your specific situation
  • Does not guarantee any particular outcome

Any numbers, ranges, or examples (revenue, capacity, budgets, timelines, etc.):

  • Are market observations or illustrative examples only
  • Are not promises, typical results, or guaranteed outcomes
  • May be wrong for your specific scenario or out of date

You must independently verify all information and consult your own licensed professionals before making decisions.

8. AFH Licensing, CHOW & DSHS Authority

Any use of terms like “AFH-suitable,” “AFH-potential,” “licensed AFH,” or “CHOW opportunity” is real-estate–focused language only and describes property characteristics and seller representations from a real estate perspective.

AFHMarketplace.com and Petru:

  • Do not make licensing, capacity, or regulatory determinations
  • Do not guarantee license or CHOW approvals, timelines, or outcomes
  • Do not speak on behalf of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)

All AFH licensing, capacity, CHOW, and regulatory decisions are made solely by:

  • DSHS under RCW 70.128 and WAC 388-76
  • Local jurisdictions, building departments, and fire authorities

You are responsible for contacting DSHS and other agencies directly and for engaging your own legal and licensing professionals.

9. MLS Data, Property Listings & NWMLS Compliance

Some property data on AFHMarketplace.com is sourced from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) and other MLS or public sources.

  • MLS information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed
  • Property status, price, and features can change at any time
  • Not all properties displayed are listed or represented by Petru or Windermere

When viewing MLS data, you agree that:

  • You are using it for personal, non-commercial use only
  • You will not copy, scrape, redistribute, or republish MLS data
  • You will confirm details directly with the listing brokerage and/or agent

All MLS data display and advertising complies with NWMLS Rules and Regulations, including the Clear Cooperation Policy and required attribution.

10. Third-Party Content, Tools & Links

AFHMarketplace.com may include or link to third-party:

  • Property search tools / IDX feeds
  • Mapping services (e.g., Google Maps)
  • Scheduling tools
  • Video platforms (e.g., YouTube)
  • Social media widgets
  • Analytics and marketing platforms

We do not control or endorse third-party sites or tools, and we are not responsible for:

  • Their content or accuracy
  • Their accessibility, security, or privacy practices
  • Their terms of use or policies

Your use of third-party services is at your own risk and governed by their own terms and privacy policies.

11. User Submissions & Communications

When you submit information (for example via forms, email, or other Website interactions), you agree that:

  • The information you provide is accurate and not misleading
  • You have the right to share it
  • It doesn’t violate any law or third-party rights

By submitting content or communications to AFHMarketplace.com, you grant Petru and Windermere a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to:

  • Use, store, process, and display your submission for purposes of:
    • Responding to your inquiry
    • Providing real estate services
    • Improving Website content and user experience
  • Use anonymized or aggregated data for analytics and business planning

Any testimonial or review you voluntarily provide may be used in marketing, subject to applicable advertising rules and privacy laws.

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time and stop text messages by replying STOP. Standard messaging rates may apply.

12. Intellectual Property & DMCA

Unless otherwise stated, all content on AFHMarketplace.com is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

This includes:

  • Text, layout, and design
  • Logos, branding, and graphics
  • Articles, guides, and checklists
  • AFH-focused frameworks and explanations

You may:

  • View and print content for your personal, non-commercial use only

You may not:

  • Copy, republish, resell, or distribute Website content without written permission
  • Use any logo or branding in a way that implies endorsement or affiliation

REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark of the National Association of REALTORS® and is used in accordance with NAR rules.

DMCA Notice

If you believe content on AFHMarketplace.com infringes your copyright, send a DMCA-compliant notice to:

Copyright Agent
Petru Mihaluta
33455 6th Ave S, Suite 1-A
Federal Way, WA 98003
Email: Petru@AFHMarketplace.com

Include:

  • Identification of the copyrighted work
  • Identification of the allegedly infringing material and location (URL)
  • Your contact information
  • Your good-faith statement that use is not authorized
  • A statement that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized agent
  • Your physical or electronic signature

13. Privacy & Cookies

Your use of the Website is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains:

  • What personal information we collect
  • How we use and share it
  • How we use cookies and similar technologies
  • Your choices and opt-out options

By using AFHMarketplace.com, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

14. Disclaimers – “AS IS” & No Promises

To the fullest extent permitted by law, AFHMarketplace.com and all content, tools, and services are provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” without any warranty of any kind, express or implied.

We do not warrant or guarantee:

  • The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any content or data
  • That any property will be available, suitable, or profitable
  • That any transaction will close or be successful
  • That you will obtain financing or favorable terms
  • That you will obtain AFH licensing, CHOW approval, or any regulatory outcome
  • That the site will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
  • That the site is free of viruses or harmful components

Any use or reliance you place on Website content is entirely at your own risk.

15. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

  • AFHMarketplace.com, Petru Mihaluta and Windermere Real Estate/South Sound, Inc. will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, including lost profits, lost revenue, lost data, or business interruption, arising out of or relating to your use of this Website.
  • Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim related to the Website will not exceed the greater of:
    • Amounts (if any) you paid directly to us for Website-specific services in the 12 months before the claim, or
    • One hundred U.S. dollars (US $100).

You are fully responsible for your own due diligence, decision-making, and use of professional advisors.

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so some of the above may not apply to you, but our liability will be limited to the maximum extent allowed by law.

16. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless:

  • Petru Mihaluta
  • AFHMarketplace.com
  • Windermere Real Estate/South Sound, Inc.
  • Their officers, directors, employees, and agents

from and against any claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to:

  • Your use or misuse of the Website or its content
  • Your violation of these Terms or any applicable law
  • Your violation of any third-party rights, including IP or privacy rights
  • Your AFH investment, business, operational, or licensing activities that are independent of our real estate brokerage services

We may assume exclusive defense of any matter subject to indemnification, and you agree to cooperate with that defense.

17. Dispute Resolution, Arbitration & Class Action Waiver

We aim to work cooperatively and resolve concerns early.

17.1 Informal Resolution First

Before starting any formal claim, you agree to contact:

Email: Petru@AFHMarketplace.com
Phone: (425) 505-0595

and allow up to 30 days for us to try to resolve the issue informally.

17.2 Binding Arbitration

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, you agree that most disputes arising out of or related to your use of the Website will be resolved by binding arbitration rather than in court.

  • Arbitration will be conducted in King County, Washington
  • Administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Rules (as modified by these Terms)
  • The arbitrator’s decision will be final and binding, subject to any rights of appeal under applicable law

17.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that:

  • Any claim must be brought in your individual capacity only, and
  • You will not bring or participate in any class, collective, or representative action against us.

If a court finds that this class action waiver is unenforceable, the arbitration agreement will be unenforceable, and disputes will instead proceed in court as described below.

17.4 Exceptions

You or we may still:

  • Bring qualifying individual claims in small claims court
  • Seek temporary or injunctive relief in court for intellectual property or misuse of confidential information

17.5 Allocation of Costs & Opt-Out

Each party normally pays its own attorneys’ fees. Arbitration fees will generally be split, subject to AAA rules and applicable law. If you cannot afford arbitration fees, you may request that we cover or advance them upon showing financial hardship.

You may opt out of the arbitration requirement within 30 days of first using the Website by sending a signed, written notice to:

Arbitration Opt-Out
c/o Petru Mihaluta
33455 6th Ave S, Suite 1-A
Federal Way, WA 98003

18. Governing Law & Venue

These Terms and any disputes arising out of or relating to them are governed by the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Subject to the arbitration provisions above, any legal action shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in King County, Washington, and you consent to their jurisdiction and venue.

19. Termination & Suspension

We may, at our discretion and without prior notice, suspend or terminate your access to the Website if we believe you:

  • Violated these Terms or applicable law
  • Misused the Website or its content
  • Engaged in fraud, harassment, or abuse

You may stop using the Website at any time.

Upon termination:

  • Your right to use the Website ends immediately
  • Certain provisions (including disclaimers, IP rights, limitation of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution) will continue to apply

20. Miscellaneous

  • Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Legal Disclosures, Privacy Policy, and Accessibility Statement, form the entire agreement between you and us concerning Website use.
  • Severability: If any provision is found invalid, the rest remain in full force.
  • No Waiver: Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver of that or any other provision.
  • Assignment: You may not assign your rights under these Terms. We may assign them to an affiliate, successor, or acquirer.
  • Force Majeure: We are not liable for delays or failures due to events beyond our reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, war, strikes, outages, pandemics).
  • One-Year Limit: Any claim related to Website use must be brought within one (1) year after the event giving rise to the claim, or it is permanently barred (to the extent allowed by law).

21. Contact Information

Questions about these Terms or how they apply to you?

AFHMarketplace.com
Washington’s specialized Adult Family Home real estate platform

Contact:
Petru Mihaluta
REALTOR® | Certified AFH Administrator
Windermere Real Estate/South Sound, Inc. – License #18513

📍 33455 6th Ave S, Suite 1-A, Federal Way, WA 98003
📞 (425) 505-0595
✉️ Petru@AFHMarketplace.com
🌐 www.AFHMarketplace.com

22. Ready to Talk About Your AFH Goals?

This Terms of Service page explains the rules of the road—but real progress happens in conversation.

If you’re considering buying, selling, or repositioning an AFH-related property in Washington State and want AFH-aware real estate guidance within licensing boundaries, you’re invited to:

Schedule Your Free AFH Real Estate Consultation
or
Request a Free AFH Property Review (Real-Estate–Only)

AFH real estate is specialized. You don’t have to navigate it alone.

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