New Texas Standards of Practice

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Unfortunately no. Which is unusual as in the past she responded quickly.

I've gone ahead and almost finished all the changes I need to make for the new TREC version. I had planned on releasing it as I was told by a few that the new form could be put into use now, but then read on the TREC website that it can't be used until February.

I had a few other questions too as I've heard different stories on some of the issues from different people. For example, one inspector told me at a TREC meeting they were told they are allowed to have a SINGLE cover page in front of their report, while another inspector told me the heard they aren't allowed any cover page.

[Michael R. Boyett]

A cover page or 'vanity page' is allowed and I've heard that with my own ears from TREC but I don't think it's written anywhere. I actually have two cover pages on my reports. For what it's worth I would not recommend that any s/w provider design their standard TREC template to include anything other than what is on form 7A-1. I had another question to Devon and she has not responded to me yet either...she may be out of the office this week or something. There's an Inspectors Committee meeting on Tuesday where she will be present but unfortunately I have a conflict and will not make that meeting.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

I think I know someone who is going so I'll have them ask. I do know an inspector told me they went to a SOP/7A-1 class meeting and they said a cover page, not pages was allowed.

[Andrew Walters]

Dominic,

Can you tell us what to expect in the newer TREC version of the software? Any upgrades or is this just a TREC refresh with the new form?

[Michael R. Boyett]

Dominic, this thread will not allow attachments. You do have the new form rules from TREC for REI 7A-1, right? If you do not have those new rules let me know and I'll e-mail them to you or tell you where they are located on the TREC website. I depend upon the last sentence of paragraph 3.K to include a photo of the home as a 'Pre-cover page', a cover page with my company logo & other information and also a Summary page(s) & other reference material. Here's the way I look at it...for a long time I delivered a binder to my clients with all of that stuff and more in it. The report itself was completely TREC compliant but those other items were included as well. I don't deliver a hard copy binder any longer, just an e-mailed report, but it still contains much of what was in the binder. Again, the report itself is completely compliant though.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Originally Posted by mboyett

Dominic, this thread will not allow attachments. You do have the new form rules from TREC for REI 7A-1, right? If you do not have those new rules let me know and I'll e-mail them to you or tell you where they are located on the TREC website. I depend upon the last sentence of paragraph 3.K to include a photo of the home as a 'Pre-cover page', a cover page with my company logo & other information and also a Summary page(s) & other reference material. Here's the way I look at it...for a long time I delivered a binder to my clients with all of that stuff and more in it. The report itself was completely TREC compliant but those other items were included as well. I don't deliver a hard copy binder any longer, just an e-mailed report, but it still contains much of what was in the binder. Again, the report itself is completely compliant though.

I do have the new rules, I'll have to look over 3.K closer. Devon told me we could have summary pages but they had to be at the end of the report. I know what you're saying about the binder. I also want to give guys as many possibilities to make their reports look as professional as possible so the more options TREC allows the better.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Originally Posted by awalters

Dominic,

Can you tell us what to expect in the newer TREC version of the software? Any upgrades or is this just a TREC refresh with the new form?

Hi Andrew,

We'll basically be adding in a new TREC template. When you buy our software there is no special TREC version, there's just a TREC template. You can make your own additional or use include mold , commercial templates we have. There are a few other small options we're going to be adding to the program as TREC now allows them, but most are already part of the program.

If you have any ideas though, just let us know We're always updating and looking for ways to improve the program.

Dominic

[Chuck Evans]

Originally Posted by mboyett

A cover page or 'vanity page' is allowed and I've heard that with my own ears from TREC but I don't think it's written anywhere.

The provision that allows for a cover page is documented in Subchapter R. Real Estate Inspectors 22 TAC §535.223. http://www.trec.state.tx.us/pdf/rules/535.223.pdf

[Michael R. Boyett]

Yes, that's the 'new' rules that govern the new form REI 7A-1. While TREC has said for the last couple of years that they had no problem with a cover page this is the first time it has been documented into the official rules that I know of but I really haven't looked too hard for it. I should have said that better in my earlier post.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Thanks Chuck, I like the hard evidence I can print out!

[Michael R. Boyett]

I thought you said you had the rules already.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

I do. I've gotten them from the website, from Nolan and a few other sources as guys have gone to TREC courses. I've mostly been working on matching their latest format though, I haven't completely read over all the rules yet.

[Michael R. Boyett]

The TREC Inspector Advisory Committee's SOP Sub-committee met via teleconference on 12/9 to begin the discussions and process of writing a Commentary for the new Inspection Standards of Practice that is due to go into effect 2/1/09. The Commentary will expand upon the language in the SOP, clarify the thinking and intent behind many of the SOP line items and generally attempt to explain, in more layman's terms, what is expected of the Inspector. The first Commentary meeting was about two hours long and resulted in preliminary, draft explanatory paragraphs for about 1/3 of the SOP topics. What struck me most during the process was the fact that the Sub-committee members writing the Commentary are the same ones that wrote the SOP and yet there was considerable discussion and even disagreement on what the SOP meant to each of the members. Basic, conceptual ideas were not agreed upon in certain sections and some Commentary sections resulted in obvious conflict with the new SOP. There were even instances of proposed changes to the recently approved SOP wording. There's a huge amount of work yet to be done with the Commentary...don't expect anything before mid-2009 at best.

[Emmanuel J. Scanlan]

Originally Posted by mboyett

The first Commentary meeting was about two hours long and resulted in preliminary, draft explanatory paragraphs for about 1/3 of the SOP topics.

Not surprised as they should have the entire commentary completed. After all don't we now have two IC members out in the field making money teaching "the true intent" of the SOP?

What struck me most during the process was the fact that the Sub-committee members writing the Commentary are the same ones that wrote the SOP and yet there was considerable discussion and even disagreement on what the SOP meant to each of the members. Basic, conceptual ideas were not agreed upon in certain sections and some Commentary sections resulted in obvious conflict with the new SOP.

As I understand it during the creation there was at least one, possibly two IC members who had significant disagreements regarding the content of the SOP. As I hear it these one (two) were summarily dismissed by the "Gods" (?) in charge.

There were even instances of proposed changes to the recently approved SOP wording.

Now if they had only approached the new SOP as a "commentary" effort, or at least listened to Inspector input, there may not be a need for much if any revisions.

There's a huge amount of work yet to be done with the Commentary...don't expect anything before mid-2009 at best.

Anything prior to mid 2009 would significantly cut into the current revenue generation scheme of the "true intent of the SOP" classes that are now being sold at $145 a pop!

Mike,

Thank you for the heads up and all of your efforts on behalf of Texas Inspectors. My comments are above in blue italic.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Ugh, so you're guessing this February start date isn't going to happen?