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New Housing Law Creates New Opportunities
By Steve Kyles | August 22, 2008
On July 31, the President signed into law H.R. 3221, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, a sweeping, nearly 800-page housing law, unlike anything we’ve seen in a generation. Shrouded in controversy, the bill has a number of provisions which have been exhaustively debated and politicized in the media ever since.
But don’t worry, we’re not going to put you through that in this article.
Instead, we’ll put all politics aside and share with you two extremely important provisions of this landmark legislation that everyone looking to buy or sell a home in the next year needs to know about: 1) the elimination of seller-funded down payment assistance programs, and 2) the new $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers. Unlike the other measures of the bill, these two provisions actually create some great opportunities for informed home buyers and sellers who act now. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Mortgage Finance | No Comments »
TPREIA Newsletter Posted
By Mike Cothran | August 20, 2008
The monthly newsletter for TPREIA is is updated and posted in the right side bar. The date of the Greater Houston Chapter meeting is not correct on the newsletter, it is Tuesday August 26th.Topics: Real Estate Inspectors | No Comments »
Are You Ready For Your Inspection?
By Edward Robinson | August 18, 2008
So you have scheduled an inspection. Do you know what to do now? To get the most out of your inspection, there are some things you can do to get the best value. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Home Buyer | No Comments »
TREC Commission Meeting Monday August 18th
By Mike Cothran | August 17, 2008
Below is the TREC Commission Meeting Agenda that is to be held next Monday, August 18th, 2008 in Austin. As you can see from the topics shown in red, there are many topics that will be discussed that can have effects on Texas Inspectors. If you would like to and are able to attend, please mark your calendar for this meeting. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Real Estate Inspectors, TREC | No Comments »
TRCC Implements County Inspection Program
By Edward Robinson | August 14, 2008
If you are in the home inspection or construction consulting industry you are probably aware of the upcoming changes that the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) is implementing regarding requirements for code inspections on residential structures built in Texas. Starting September 1, 2008, the law requires code inspections on all home construction and remodeling projects constructed initiated after that date in unincorporated areas or in municipalities that do not conduct such inspections. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: New Construction | No Comments »
Fed Stands Still – Time to Make Your Move
By Steve Kyles | August 12, 2008
The Federal Reserve held the line on Tuesday-leaving the Fed Funds Rate at 2.00% for the third straight meeting. The decision, however, was anything but cut-and-dry.
Earlier in the week, the Personal Consumption Expenditure data indicated that inflation climbed 0.8% overall in June, which is the highest inflation jump in 27 years. In addition, the report indicated that inflation now sits at 2.3%-above the Fed’s desired range of 1-2%.
Although the Fed ultimately left interest rates unchanged, inflation obviously remains a concern and the recent rise may lead to an interest rate hike by the Fed in the near future. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Mortgage Finance | No Comments »
TREC Inspector Complaint Process
By John Cahill | August 6, 2008
During a discussion with a fellow inspector the other day with regard to a complaint filed against them it came to my attention that the inspector in question did not really understand how the Texas Real Estate Commission carries out disciplinary actions against inspectors when a complaint is filed. Do you know the process by which inspectors are judged by the TREC? Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Real Estate Inspectors | No Comments »
Is ASHI Dead in Texas?
By Edward Robinson | August 5, 2008
During a discussion with a fellow inspector today regarding the TREC Standards of Practice, (SOP), I was informed that ASHI and other such inspector trade organizations have been relegated as ineffective and unnecessary in regulation and growth of the inspection industry as a result of state licensing and the development of the SOP. (Actually perhaps it was just ASHI, but I am not sure). Of course you may know that I am of the opinion that the state should not prescribe how an inspection should be performed due to the pitfalls of such rigidity affecting the quality and accuracy of inspection work and the general professionalism in our industry. I believe that such prescription would be the specific purview of such organizations for a number of good reasons. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Real Estate Inspections, TREC, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Radioactive Counter Tops
By Brian Wooley | July 30, 2008
Based on reading some of the more recent research of radiation in granite counter tops, I have distilled the following basic information about this topic.
Some granite counter tops contain high levels of uranium, which, by generating gamma radiation and radon gas, can produce a health risk. The highest levels of radioactivity seem to include varieties of striated granites from Brazil and Namibia. Nearly 1,600 varieties of granite produced in 64 countries are consumed in the United States.
The Marble Institute of America, a trade group which also represents the granite industry, cited a University of Akron study that found granite varieties used in 85 percent of counter tops are safe.
There is currently no protocol for testing granite for radioactivity.
There has been speculation that reports of granite’s radioactivity have been sensationalized by competitors who market non-granite products.
The radioactive substances in granite, significantly uranium, pose a significant threat since they may produce both radiation and radon gas. Radon is second only to cigarettes as a cause of lung cancer. It is especially dangerous to smokers.
Charcoal Radon Test kits can be purchased on the internet or local stores for as little as $16.00.
Topics: Home Buyer, Home Owner, New Construction | No Comments »
Real estate agent finds body in Montgomery County home
By Edward Robinson | July 27, 2008
Wow! I have always been worried about finding a dead body in a crawlspace, attic, or locked storage closet. That happened to a Realtor up near Lake Houston.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »