The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met April 18.

An unexpected illness, a new opportunity, a change in the market, or a change in your personal life: These are all common reasons why Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) license holders may take a break from the business.

Whether your break is planned or unexpected, setting your sales agent, broker, or inspector license to inactive status before your renewal or renewing as inactive is the best move if you want return to the real estate business in the future. Here’s why.

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met in January, and there were a couple of items from that meeting that were forwarded to the Commissioners for approval. The first was a modification of a rule regarding when multiple check boxes are used. This rule makes it clear that if an inspector chooses more than one check box, that an explanation must be provided. For instance, if only the Inspected box is checked with no other comments, it could be determined that the area in question was inspected, and no deficiencies were observed.

The Texas Real Estate Commission’s advisory committees and working groups have made several recommendations that the Commissioners will discuss and potentially propose or adopt during the TREC Meeting on February 13. Here are the highlights of what will be considered, including inspection report rule changes, proposed SAE requirements, and changes that affect broker responsibility and sales agent oversight of brokerage activity.

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee met January 17. Three new officers were elected to serve in committee leadership:

• Lee Warren, chair
• Scott Regan, vice-chair
• Steven Rinehart, secretary

The committee also appointed two chairs to two subcommittees:

In a seller’s market, buyers may be tempted to waive an inspection entirely, or hire an inspector to do a walkthrough inspection of their ideal home to point out problems while the buyers take notes.

In a buyer’s market, sellers might think getting a similar inspection will make their listing stand out by disclosing information up front, so buyers will know what to expect.

During the November TREC Meeting, the Commission proposed two rule amendments and one new rule. The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee recommended the proposal of amendments to 535.223, Standard Inspection Report Form. The Unauthorized Practice of Law Working group recommended a new rule, 537.1, Definitions, and amendments to Section 537.11, use of Standard Contract Forms.

The Texas Real Estate Commission met November 7 and received updates from advisory committees and staff, adopted revised forms, and proposed revisions to rules related to the inspection form and the unauthorized practice of law. Here are a few key takeaways from the meeting.

Appointments Made to ESAC, TREIC

The Commission appointed the following individuals to serve on the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC):

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met October 18 and reviewed a new tool to aid in filling out the Property Inspection Report Form, a new form that will inform TREC when a real estate inspector relationship is terminated, and items for the 88th Texas Legislature.

The TREC Inspector Committee (TREIC) met July 18 and discussed clarifications to 535.222, Inspection Reports, and 535.223, Standard Inspection Report Form.

Recommended Rule Changes

535.222, Inspection Reports

TREIC recommended a change to 525.222(a)(2) to clarify the two-day inspection report delivery deadline. The change clarifies that in instances where payments are provided in full prior to the inspection, the inspector is required deliver the report to the client within two days of completion of the inspection.