Legislation passed by the 88th Texas Legislature requires the Texas Real Estate Commission to update two frequently used forms: the Consumer Protection Notice and the Seller’s Disclosure Notice.
What changed? It no longer references the real estate inspection recovery fund, which was repealed this session.
A bill passed by the 88th Texas Legislature requires all licensing agencies, including the Texas Real Estate Commission, to remove or redact certain details about applicants and current and past license holders in publicly available information, such as the TREC website license holder search or via public information requests.
A new rule effective earlier this summer sets a timeline of two calendar days to respond to parties to a real estate transaction you’re involved in. Here’s what you need to know.
During the August 2023 TREC Meeting, the Commission adopted TREC Rule 535.46, Broker Responsibility Advisory Committee, establishing a new committee to advise the Commission on issues relating to broker responsibility. The Commission is seeking to appoint nine members to begin service on January 1, 2024.
During the August 2023 TREC Meeting, commissioners considered rule changes up for adoption, new proposed changes, and conducted emergency rulemaking resulting from the 88th Texas Legislature. Read on for what happened.
Three Broker-Lawyer Committee members were recognized for their service:
The Commission in May adopted revisions to the Real Estate Brokerage and Property Management course approval forms. Beginning October 1, 2023, qualifying education providers may begin submitting course application forms to offer these revised courses.
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.
The Texas Real Estate Commission's Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) is accepting applications to fill two education member positions by real estate instructors or owners of real estate schools, accredited by the Commission, that provide qualifying or continuing education.
Effective October 1, 2023, sales agents renewing their license for the first time—both active and inactive—are required to complete an approved 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course as part of their 90 hours of Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE). This change was adopted during the May Commission meeting.
The Texas Real Estate Commission’s Broker-Lawyer Committee (BLC) met June 9 to discuss legislative changes and other form comments. Here are some highlights from the meeting.
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I hope this message finds you recovering from Halloween and the election. In these uncertain times, I urge us all to focus on what matters to us most. November brings Thanksgiving, and with that a unique opportunity to give thanks. This year is one for the record books, but I am grateful to live in the great state of Texas.
The Inspector Advisory Committee met on October 12 via teleconference. There were some public comments submitted in response to the newly proposed Consumer Protection Notice, and most of the feedback was positive. The new notice includes verbiage to inform consumers that inspectors are required to carry E&O insurance, and that inspectors have the ability to limit their liability through the use of an agreement between themselves and their client.
October is here. It is finally cooling off outside and the hints of fall in the air give me a spirit of optimism for our future. I hope that is true for you too.
After almost two years of effort on the part of the Inspector Committee to restructure and streamline the education and substitute experience requirements for inspector licensure, the Commission adopted rules at its August meeting to implement the proposals recommended by the Committee. This long-overdue revamp of these requirements remove redundancies in the current rules and simplify the process to become an inspector in Texas.
We have made it another month in the virtual environment, and I don’t know about you, but I am ready to see folks in person again. The agency continues to work primarily remotely with a high level of productivity, maintaining a call hold time of under 2 minutes, and processing 5 months of renewals after the COVID extensions expired.
Hello to each of you. I hope you and your families are safe and well.
The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee met via teleconference on July 20th. The agenda was reasonably short this time around. The education rules which change the pre-licensure process were proposed at the previous Commission meeting, and they have gone through the public comment period. After considering the comments received, the Inspector Committee voted to forward the rules as proposed, along with some non-substantive changes made as a result of questions raised by the Go
The agency has been busy over the last several months adjusting to the new norm resulting from the COVID-19 virus. We are operating almost 100% remotely, with only essential staff coming into the office to process mail, or deal with the various technical issue that arise from a remote workforce.
Last weekend we celebrated our country's 244th birthday.
Greetings to you upon the beginning of summer. I hope each of you continues to live well in this COVID-19 season. This is a season in which the burdens of each of us are personal and unique. Our agency will do what we can to ease whatever burdens possible.
As of April 1, 2021, the following form versions are now required for use:
Pursuant to section 551.0411 of the Texas Government Code, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is postponing its February 16, 2021, quarterly open meeting to February 19, 2021, at 9:00 am. The State of Texas is experiencing unprecedented snowfall, extreme temperatures, rolling blackouts, and power outages that are catastrophic and prohibitive of conducting the meeting at its posted scheduled date and time. TREC will take up items posted with the Secretary of Stat
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has received many comments and requests related to license holders’ involvement in the events that occurred at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The Commission is limited in the action it may take against real estate license holders by the Real Estate License Act, the
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) will launch the second phase of the education provider audit program in January 2021. TREC rules give staff authority to audit education providers and permits staff to conduct on-site audits without prior notice. Staff may also enroll in and attend a course without identifying themselves as TREC employees.
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is pleased to announce Regina Durden, purchasing manager, was named “Woman of the Year” by the Executive Women in Texas Government (EWTG). The announcement of this prestigious award was made at the November 2020 EWTG conference. Ms. Durden is the first recipient of this award at the Texas Real Estate Commission. Congratulations go to Ms.
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is pleased to announce the updated CE Posting System.
AUSTIN, TX - The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is pleased to welcome Abby Lee as Deputy General Counsel of the Texas Real Estate Commission effective October 20, 2020.
The Texas Real Estate Commission has temporarily closed lobby access to members of the public. Our highest priority is the health and well-being of the consumers of Texas and our staff. The agency will remain open to provide assistance via phone and email.
The contact center hours of operation are 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Please call 512-936-3000 to speak to a representative.
The Texas Real Commission is accepting applications for appointment for two inspectors and one public member positions of the Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee.
TREC and TALCB have launched a survey to help gather feedback about the agency's websites. Completing this short survey will help TREC and TALCB better serve Texans in all matters related to real estate and appraisal services.
We value your opinion and appreciate your time. Thank you for participating.
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New real estate inspector and
New inspector pre-licensing education and experience requirements begin March 1, 2021. The new experience requirement includes a 40 hour Texas Practicum, which must consist of a minimum of five complete and in-person inspections. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, TREC will grant a temporary allowance for on-site inspections to take place virtually, as long as the Practicum instructor conducts inspections live and on-site, and the instructor and students are able to interact with ea
On February 1, 2021, sales agents and brokers will be required to complete at least three hours in contract-related coursework as part of the 18 hours of continuing education (CE) required to renew a license. For your convenience, and the convenience of your students, a “contracts” search filter is available on the Approved Real Estate CE Course List, which allows license h
The TREC Education & Examinations Division will launch the next phase of the education provider audit program in January of 2021. TREC rule §535.67(a) gives staff the authority to conduct on-site audits without prior notice as well as enroll in and attend courses without identifying themselves as
When preparing course applications, be sure they are filled out completely, all necessary documents are included and the fee is accurately calculated. Course applications and fees received separately will be sent back to the provider.
All providers are required to provide each student with a course evaluation form approved by the Commission or Board.
Qualifying course examinations must satisfy TREC rule 535.65(h). This means:
The Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met on October 5, 2020, to continue to diligent work of the committee.
Classroom courses for real estate license holders and inspectors require the instructor and the student to interact face-to-face and in real time, either in the same physical location, or though technology. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many courses that historically were offered in a classroom, are now being offered virtually. In fact, the number of classroom courses taught virtually has skyrocketed.
The Texas Real Estate Commission is accepting applications for appointment for four real estate license holders members and two education members to the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC). Committee members will serve a two-year term beginning January 1, 2021, and expiring December 31, 2022. Real estate license holders applying must have been actively engaged in the practice of real estate for the five years preceding the appointment.
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, TREC understands that some inspector applicants may find it challenging to complete the in-person ride-along course required for licensure.
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