The Texas Real Estate Commission is pleased to welcome three new members. Chance Brown, Renee Harvey Lowe, and Stuart Bernstein were confirmed by the Texas Senate on April 26, 2023. Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed them for terms set to expire on January 31, 2029. 

Harvey Lowe and Brown will both serve as broker members, Bernstein will serve as a public member of TREC.

The Inspector Committee met on April 18, and there were a number of items that were discussed. Starting off the meeting, Mike Morgan was elected as the Vice Chair to fill the vacancy from Scott Regan. 

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

The Broker Responsibility Working Group (BRWG) met April 12. Members reviewed public comment submitted in response to a new proposed rule, 535.157 — Obligation to Respond Timely, and proposed changes to 535.2 — Broker Responsibility Rule. The group also continued discussion regarding the difference between a broker and a sponsoring broker, and whether there should be additional education requirements for sponsoring brokers.

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 Broker Responsibility Working Group (BRWG) met October 12 and discussed requirements for obtaining and renewing a broker’s license, as well as property management issues.

The Broker Responsibility Working Group (BRWG) met July 13 and acted on two proposals related to broker oversight and sales agents’ response times.

Proposed Rule

BRWG proposed a new rule, 535.157, that requires a broker or sales agent to respond to their principal, a broker or sales agent representing another party to a real estate transaction, or an unrepresented party to a real estate transaction within two calendar days.

The 87th Texas Legislature passed a bill requiring the Texas Real Estate Commission to collect management certificates and amended management certificates from property owners’ associations—also known as homeowners associations (HOAs)—and make the certificates publicly available online.

The Broker Responsibility Working Group met January 12, 2022, to discuss property management practices, public comments, and broker oversight in new agent transactions. Here is a recap of the group’s discussion.