Real estate inspectors licensed in Texas are required to follow the Standards of Practice (SOPs). These SOPs define the minimum requirements for a real estate inspection performed for a prospective buyer or seller of one to four family dwelling. Changes to the SOPs were adopted at the August TREC Commission Meeting and are effective February 1, 2022.

Changes to the general provisions now:

TREC’s Broker-Lawyer Committee met January 14 to discuss public comments and potential changes to the Farm and Ranch Contract and other contract forms. Here are some takeaways from the meeting.

Effective February 1, the Property Inspection Report form (REI 7-6) is required for all real estate inspections performed in Texas.

The form reflects changes made to the Standards of Practice (SOPs), plus an updated preamble that

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee met January 18, 2022. Three new officers were elected to serve in committee leadership:

• Shawn Emerick, chair
• Scott Regan, vice chair
• Steven Rhinehart, secretary

The committee also made two subcommittee appointments:

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.

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is conducting a study on wholesaling and seeking input from consumers, wholesalers, and license holders. Wholesaling is a model where a person enters into a contract to buy real estate and then sells their contractual interest in the property to a third party prior to closing. Take this anonymous survey to help the agency as it examines wholesaling practices and consumer protection measures. The survey should take about five minutes to complete.

During the 87th regular session, the Texas legislature passed SB 1588 which amended Chapter 209 of the Texas Property Code governing certain property owners ' associations (more commonly known as HOAs) to address a number of HOA-related issues, including providing greater transparency in HOA operations and leadership.

We have published the video of the November 2021 "Coffee with the Commission" session. Chair Scott Kesner and Executive Director, Chelsea Buchholtz discussed all the latest from the November Commission meeting and what is coming for 2022.