TREC Notes from 12/15/08

[Michael R. Boyett]

Here are my notes from the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) meeting on Dec 15th. As usual, my notes are in bold, blue font for easy identification:
TREC_121508.pdf

[tpope]

Great work. Thanks Mike!

[Andrew Walters]

Any idea when TREC will make an official annoucement or posting about being able to use the new inspection form befor Feb?

Thanks for the updates.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Andrew, no they didn't mention that. The only place any 'official' news is ever communicated from TREC is via their website and that information may show up on the Inspector Information tab but don't hold your breath. It usually takes a couple of weeks for them to post news on the website so keep checking.

Oh, and your welcome Tim.

[kweiss]

Andrew,

I haven't heard or seen anything from the TREC but got this from Homegauge.

"According to TREC, you must continue to use the current report form until February 1, 2009. After February 1, 2009 you must use the new form. This is a little silly to ask everyone to switch overnight without allowing a transition between now and then, but we are not TREC.

We have included the new template in the current download trial of HG so you can download the new trial to get the new template and import your comments in the new template, but WAIT until February 2009 before selecting the new Texas template named TREC REI 7A-1. Until then continue to use the regular Texas template. "

There is probably a training class we can take from one of the "Advisors" that will teach how to do this overnight transition in the most efficient way.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Kevin, there are several new SOP training classes being held around the state. TPREIA and TAREI are sponsoring some as well as RETS. I certainly wouldn't rely on communications from any of the s/w providers for direction on how to interpret nor implement the new SOP or form.

[kweiss]

I was posting that just as information I have seen. Not testifying to its accuracy. God forbid the TREC actually give clear instructions and go out of their way to convey them to us inspectors.

Personally, from what I orginally read about having until Feb to change over to the new form, I interprepted it to mean you could change any time between now and then, but had to change by then.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Yes, that is what the Inspector Advisory Committee intended last month but the Commission wasn't on the same page until Tuesday's meeting.

[rashwell]

I'm a new guy. I had a remodeling co. for 20 years in CC till '07 and then I went into My Safe FL Home program and did about 1000 surveys over there.
It seemed odd to me that in TX anybody can build a dwelling but you need a license (TREC) to inspect it. Opposite of FL, Ha.
There were 400K of these taxpayer funded dwelling surveys done and if you want to see what a MSFH survey looks like go here. The FL survey program was more extensive and involved much Ins. co. interface but it's a fine argument for writing a small pre storm mitigation check then a 100-fold one (taxpayer) after it.

I'm off point: In my efforts to bring pre storm mitigation surveys to TX and to employ many home inspectors to do them, I ran across this recent bill up for legislation about TREC courses on line. I don't know what it all means but I hope it can help NACHI.

[Michael R. Boyett]

That proposed bill would not help nor hurt iNACHI as iNACHI does not provide courses that are used to obtain a license here. iNACHI does provide a slew of CE courses that are needed to maintain a license but that bill does not address CE courses.

[rashwell]

OK and thanks.
I'm really enjoying the on line courses. They're terrific.
I hope to use them as a starting base for getting a TREC license to put with my Ins Adj and FEMA credentials.
I'll buy coffee and fuel if I can tag along with you on a couple.