When an inspector licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is hired to inspect a property’s foundation, they are required to render a written opinion regarding the performance of that foundation. This obligation is established under Section 535.228(a) of the Texas Administrative Code, which governs inspection standards for foundations.
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Rendering an Opinion of Foundation Performance: A Guide for Texas Inspectors
04/29/2025
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Message From TREIC Chair Lee Warren: April 2025
04/28/2025
The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee met on April 21 at TREC headquarters in Austin. We discussed the work of our subcommittees, the upcoming new edition of the Inspector Legal & Ethics and SOP Review Course, and inspector advertising rules.
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BLC Accepting Applications for Two Broker Positions
04/17/2025
The Broker-Lawyer Committee seeks to appoint two broker members to serve a six-year term beginning September 1, 2025. The BLC drafts and revises all contracts promulgated by the Texas Real Estate Commission. It consists of
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BRAC Recap: Valuing Broker Education and Experience, Team Names Cleanup
04/16/2025
After reviewing public comments and feedback from Commissioners, the Broker Responsibility Advisory Committee (BRAC) met on April 8 to continue its discussion over the minimum experience points and education hours required to earn a broker’s license. Meeting highlights also include the group reminding brokers of the timeframe for removing TREC-registered team names.
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ESAC Recap: Exciting News for Education Providers
04/09/2025
The Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met on April 7 to hear updates from agency staff on the upcoming launch of a new licensing system, and to review rule changes related to exam proctoring.
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Our New Online System Is Coming—Here’s What You Need To Know
03/19/2025
Getting your business done with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) is about to get even easier.
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Using a Drone to Inspect the Roof? Keep This In Mind
02/19/2025
Inspectors ask …
"Can I use a drone to inspect the roof instead of climbing it?"
Many inspectors have gotten into the habit of using a drone to inspect the roof instead of walking the roof. This could be problematic if they are not properly following the departure provisions.
TREC Rule 535.228(c)(2) states that an inspector is not required to inspect the roof from the roof level if, in the inspector's reasonable judgment:
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TREC’s 2025 Resolutions, So Far: New Online System, New Rules, and a San Antonio Visit
02/13/2025
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) hosted its first meeting of the year in Austin with a room full of Texas REALTORS® in attendance to earn continuing education credit and receive updates from the agency’s staff and advisory committee members. Here’s what happened.
Thank You for Your Service
The Commission recognized these departing advisory committee members: -
Message from TREIC Chair Lee Warren: January 2025
01/31/2025
The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met January 27 for its first meeting of the year. The slate of officers was elected for 2025:
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Clearing Up Compensation Confusion, Water Disclosure Discussion, and More: BLC Recap
01/26/2025
Because the Texas Real Estate Commission's latest form changes became effective January 3, the Broker-Lawyer Committee (BLC) focused much of its January 10 meeting on its continued conversation related to compensation, including the recent changes to Paragraph 12 and the disclosure on Page 10.
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From the Chair - June 2021
06/10/2021
Happy summer to all of you! In today’s market, however, we may not get a chance for anything resembling a summer break. It is a good time to be in real estate in Texas.
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From the Chair - Inspector Committee - June 2021
05/25/2021
The TREC Commissioners met on May 3 in Austin in person for the first time in over a year. It was nice to see everyone in person once again. Tony Slagle presented the Commissioners with a legislative update, which included two inspector-related bills.
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From the Executive Director - May 2021 - Inspectors
05/13/2021
Happy May to each of you. I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the mothers in your life last weekend. Later this month, we celebrate Memorial Day.
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From the Executive Director - May 2021
05/13/2021
Happy May to each of you. I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the mothers in your life last weekend. Later this month, we celebrate Memorial Day.
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From the Chair - April 2021
04/12/2021
Happy spring to all of you! I hope this message finds you and your families enjoying the beautiful spring weather and wildflowers. Texas truly seems to show off during this time of year.
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From the Executive Director - March 2021
03/10/2021
Happy March. Spring is approaching and with it comes a fresh start and the excitement of warmer weather. I welcome it after the freezing temperatures we experienced in February. I hope all of you made it through that extraordinary event safely.
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From the Chair - February 2021
02/11/2021
Happy February! This month we have passed the one-year mark since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the US. Much has changed in the last year, but I am proud of what our team at TREC has continued to do for the people of Texas. License applications continue to be processed smoothly, and our customer service team continues to provide excellent assistance to those who need it. I genuinely hope that this New Year brings us all peace and a shift towards more
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From the Chair - Inspector Committee - January 2021
01/21/2021
The Inspector Advisory Committee met virtually on January 15th. This was a lengthy meeting, as there was a lot to cover on this go around. First off, I would like to welcome the two newest members of the IAC. Bruce Carpenter is an inspector member from Pittsburg, and Brian Carroll is a public member from Temple. Both of them dove right into the meeting providing feedback and giving input, so it was clear that they came prepared to be involved with the IAC.
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From the Chair - January 2021
01/05/2021
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great holiday filled will peace and joy. During the holidays, I like to take time to reflect on the past year and the agency's direction. I am grateful for so many things during these times, including a fantastic team of employees, volunteers, and appointed Commission members.
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From the Executive Director - December 2020
12/07/2020
What a year! In some ways, I can’t believe how long this year has felt, but yet, I find myself surprised that the end of the year is upon us. Thanksgiving looked different for many this year.
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Watch Out for Rental Fraud Scams in Texas
05/24/2024
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
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Meet TREC in Dallas
04/19/2024
To reach more Texans in person, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) hits the road every May for the second quarterly meeting of the year. This time Commissioners are headed to Dallas-Fort Worth.
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How To Make All Your Fee Payments Online
02/21/2024
Whether you are applying for a new license, renewing your license, setting up a business entity registration, and more, the best and most secure way to pay Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) fees is through the agency’s online services portal. Plus, you can pay online whenever is convenient for you—the tool is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.
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Message from TREIC Chair Lee Warren: July 2023
08/02/2023
The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met July 17. We received public comments on new items and some comments on some agenda items. It is good to see stakeholders taking an interest in the process and providing input more frequently.
One public comment expressed concern that inspectors are being strongly encouraged to pay brokerages for the opportunity visit their offices or even just talk to their agents.
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88th Texas Legislative Session Update, and the Impact on License Holders
05/27/2023
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.
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TREC's Houston Highlights: Changes to Broker Responsibility & Inspection Reports, 'Lookback Period' Soon to End, Comment Now on Proposed Changes
05/23/2023
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.
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What to expect at Houston May 16 TREC meeting
05/04/2023
The Texas Real Estate Commission is stepping out of its Austin headquarters to pay Houston a visit. On May 16, the Commission will meet at 9 a.m. inside the Century Ballroom II of the DoubleTree by Hilton-Houston Greenway Plaza.
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Appointees Officially Confirmed to Texas Real Estate Commission
04/26/2023
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.
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TREIC April Meeting Recap: New Evaluation Form, Licensing Rule
04/18/2023
The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met April 18.
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Broker Responsibility Working Group April meeting recap includes proposed rule changes
04/12/2023
The Broker Responsibility Working Group (BRWG) met April 12.
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ESAC’s First Meeting of Year: New Members, Principles I & II Recommendation
01/09/2024
The Texas Real Estate Commission’s Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) opened its first meeting of the year with a welcome to four new members. The new license holder members are Amanda Nichols and Thomas Carl Leatherman. The new education provider member is Cynthia Baas. The new public member is Rita Blevins.
Officers Election
ESAC held elections and selected Bill Steddum, Jr. as chair, Byron Underwood as vice chair, and Michael Crowley as secretary.
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88th Texas Legislative Session Update, and the Impact on License Holders
05/27/2023The 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.
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TREC's Houston Highlights: Changes to Broker Responsibility & Inspection Reports, 'Lookback Period' Soon to End, Comment Now on Proposed Changes
05/23/2023To 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.
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ESAC reviews rule language, recommends 30-hour brokerage course for sales agents
05/12/2023
The Texas Real Estate Commission's Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met April 3.
ESAC addressed comments received regarding proposed changes to 22 §TAC 535.64, Content Requirements for Qualifying Real Estate Courses. TREC staff clarified that the rule proposal simply cleans up the rule language to remove the references to topics required for each course, rather, pointing specifically to each qualifying course approval form to define content.
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TREIC April Meeting Recap: New Evaluation Form, Licensing Rule
04/18/2023The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met April 18.
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Broker Responsibility Working Group April meeting recap includes proposed rule changes
04/12/2023The Broker Responsibility Working Group (BRWG) met April 12.
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Update to the Qualifying Education Course Posting System
04/28/2022
TREC is pleased to announce an update to the Posting System that allows all providers of real estate Qualifying Education (QE) courses to post course credit directly into the agency’s system of record. The student must have a TREC real estate sales agent or broker license number to award qualifying credit.
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Rule Amendments Regarding Credit for Professional Designation Courses
11/30/2021
The Commission recently voted to eliminate references in TREC rule §535.92(f) to professional designations and automatic CE credit for taking courses required to obtain one of these designations. These amendments eliminate an alternative path for license holders to request CE credit for professional designations and removes the list of specific designations.
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October ESAC Meeting Update
10/14/2021
The Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met by videoconference on October 4, 2021. ESAC Chair Kelea Youngblood opened the meeting by honoring the life and accomplishments of ESAC member and long-time license holder, Lynda Conway. Ruben Pena was welcomed back to the committee in her place.
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What’s the Difference Between the Texas Practicum and a Ride Along Course Session?
10/01/2021
The 40 Hour Texas Practicum is a pre-licensing requirement for applicants following the Substitute Experience and Education Requirements for a Real Estate or Professional Inspector. A Ride-Along session is no longer a requirement for pre-licensing, but is still an option for obtaining inspector continuing education (ICE) credit.
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