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2017 Legislative Update from TREC

Memorial Day was the last day of the 85th Legislative session. Several bills were filed this session relating to the agency and its license holders but not all of those bills made it through the process.  Following is a summary of bills that passed both houses of the Legislature and have direct effect on license holders.

New Process for Borrowers Who Want Their Appraisal Values Reconsidered

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have created new guidelines for Reconsideration of Value (ROV) policies with clearer expectations for lenders, appraisers, and borrowers.

ROVs are used when borrowers wish to appeal an appraisal when they believe the opinion of value is unsupported, deficient because of unacceptable appraisal practices, or reflects discriminatory practices.

Watch Out for Rental Fraud Scams in Texas

They are still happening: Real estate leasing scams continue to pose a threat to property owners in Texas, especially in the greater Houston area, prompting the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) to issue warnings such as this press release sent to more than a dozen news outlets—most of them based in the southeastern part of the state—including

2023 TREC Highlights: Rule Changes, New Commissioners, Legislative Session Outcomes, and More

2024 marks 75 years of the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and its work to protect consumers in their real estate transactions. As that new chapter soon opens, here are some highlights from the Commission’s efforts during the last 12 months.

88th Texas Legislative Session Update, and the Impact on License Holders

The 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, began January 10, 2023, and ends May 29, 2023. This session opened with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and Texas Appraiser Licensing Board (TALCB) following 358 bills relevant to the administration of the agency.  A much smaller number will become law, one of relevance to Texas real estate license holders.

TREC's Houston Highlights: Changes to Broker Responsibility & Inspection Reports, 'Lookback Period' Soon to End, Comment Now on Proposed Changes

To reach more license holders, the Texas Real Estate Commission broke away from its Austin headquarters for the first time ever to meet in Houston on May 16. It was TREC’s second meeting of 2023. There were more than 80 attendees.

Welcoming New Commissioners, Thanking the Outgoing

TREC’s Chair, Scott Kesner, opened the meeting with a welcome to TREC’s newest Commissioners: Chance Brown, Renee Harvey Lowe, and Stuart Bernstein.