Pearland Real Estate Expert

Any person obtaining or renewing a broker or salesperson license in Texas is required to provide his or her fingerprints for an FBI criminal background check. An essential part of the future of Texas real estate safety, this law, which took effect last January, is working to protect Texas citizens.

Putting safety first

This law is designed to enhance your safety while selling your home. Knowing exactly who you allow to access your property is a precaution that must be taken to ensure the safety of those involved. The Texas Association of Realtors and Houston Association of Realtors collaborated in the effort to ensure that those moving into Texas would meet the stringent standards that Texas consumers deserve.

Going national

Although licensees have always been subject to a state criminal background check, this new law provides a check at the national level. The national background check will prevent any information found in other states from slipping through the cracks so the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) can ensure the highest moral standards of all licensed brokers and salespersons.

Tips to keep you and your home safe

Even with the enactment of this law, it is important to be aware of what is going on at all times during the selling process. Work with your Realtor to know when your home is being shown and stay alert to the activities happening when you are not present. Your Realtor will keep you up-to-date on activities involved with selling your home.

In our world today, inviting strangers into your home can be frightening. A tip to consider is to make sure your children know not to let anyone in the house when you are not at home. Although this seems like a normal parental tip for most, understand that there is a possibility that potential buyers may knock on your door and ask to come in to look around. Older children may be eager to help you sell, so make sure they know not to answer the door.

Also, let your neighbors know that you are selling your house and check with them regularly to see if there have been any strangers on your property while you were gone. These small steps can help you stay aware of what is happening during the selling process and will help keep you, your family, and your property safe.

The details

According to TREC, the collecting and submitting of fingerprints to the FBI is done through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). They use an exclusive vendor to gather the fingerprints and take a photograph. These new fingerprint requirements apply only to brokers and salespersons and not to other TREC licensees, such as inspectors. Once fingerprints are on file with DPS, a licensee will not need to be fingerprinted for subsequent renewals. However, licensees will undergo background checks each time they renew their licensees in the future.

This law is a crucial part of making Texas real estate practices as safe as possible for the public. It is one of many examples of Realtors working to help homeowners, buyers and sellers.

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/ and for all of your Pearland TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at http://www.danfrankrealty.com/.  All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.

Danny Frank is a local Pearland TX Real Estate expert

This column was published in the 09Nov08 edition of the Galveston County Daily News

Believe it or not, winter is just around the corner. Although Texas winters may not rival those in other parts of the country, fireplaces are a popular feature with Texas homeowners. Winter is the perfect time to cozy up next to your fireplace with your loved ones and a cup of hot cocoa. Romantic as this sounds, buying, selling or owning a home with a fireplace does present some challenges.

The perfect fireside

The fireplace serves not only as a source of warmth, but also as a focal point of the living room in most homes. It's where you display family portraits or a favorite piece of art. A home with a fireplace can feel very inviting and be a valuable selling point to potential buyers. Year after year, the fireplace is rated one of the top amenities desired by homeowners. But, beware-a fireplace with structural problems or safety issues can throw a real estate transaction off track, cost a lot of money to fix and even put lives at risk.

Take a closer look

As a potential buyer, you should insist that the home be thoroughly inspected by a professional inspector. That inspection will include the fireplace to ensure it presents no hazards. If the inspector finds a potential problem, he may assess it himself or recommend that a specialist further explore the problem. Fireplaces sometimes have structural problems that could be dangerous or lead to expensive repairs. These include the fireplace separating from the home, improper installation, corrosion or rusting of the inner liners of metal chimneys, buckling, and separation of the seam or collapsing of the inner liner of metal chimneys.

An inspection also may include factors such as the pilot flame or electronic igniter, the valve pressure, the heat-exchange area, the gas-log positioning and any electrical connections. Other fireplace hazards include creosote buildup (which is extremely flammable), improper venting, birds nesting in the chimney, or issues with gas lines in gas fireplaces.

Maintenance is key

As a current homeowner, maintaining your fireplace not only keeps you and your family safe, it also prevents potentially deal-breaking problems when you decide to sell. Annual service and maintenance by a certified technician before fireplace season begins will keep your fireplace safe and in top condition. Ask your Realtor for further information about fireplace service and inspections.

Maybe you shouldn't do it yourself

If you're going to clean your fireplace on your own, make sure you wear appropriate eye protection, gloves and an approved dust mask. Cover the fireplace opening, all rugs and furniture in the area. Soot and other debris from cleaning may cause damage to your home.

If cleaning your fireplace requires a ladder or getting on the roof, only someone with experience and proper safety precautions should take on this task. For your own safety, be aware of electrical and fire hazards at all times and use caution when handling brushes. Keep brushes, cleaning tools and other dangerous items away from children. For most people, fireplace maintenance is a job better left to a professional.

Like many other features of your home, the fireplace is carefully engineered and built for years of safe operation. It's up to you to be sure your fireplace is properly maintained so it will perform well for years to come. Keep warm and stay safe!

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/ and for all of your Pearland TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at http://www.danfrankrealty.com/.  All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.

Danny Frank is a local Pearland TX Real Estate expert

This column was published in the 16Nov08 edition of the Galveston County Daily News

[calendar:2008-11-08 2008-11-08]

Villages at Mary's Creek, Pearland  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 2933 Auburn Woods Drive on November 8 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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	Address: 2933 Auburn Woods Drive Type: Residential Style: 2 Story Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 4 Suite: Yes Living Area: 3,722 square feet Year Built: 2008 More Details

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	New Wilshire Homes Chesapeake Plan. 2 Story. 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths.- Beautiful lake front home w/Study, media room, gameroom, covered patio & balcony. Tons of upgrades: wood floors, built-ins, kitchen w/upg. Granite counters & Stainless Steel Appliances. Owner s retreat w/spacious bath & separate sinks, walk-in closet, corner tub w/glass block window & TV Ledge. Accent paint, full sod & sprinkler system. This spectacular home is on a cul-de-sac lot w/Lakeview. More Description

You've finally found a house that's just right for you and your family. But before you invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in that "perfect" home, find out what's not so perfect about it.

Houses include many complicated systems and other areas of concern for a buyer. Heating and cooling systems, electrical wiring, plumbing, a roof, siding, windows - you get the idea. No matter how observant you are, you're probably not qualified to perform an assessment of all those items before you commit to the purchase.

However, a licensed home inspector can give you a pretty good picture of the overall condition of the house and its parts. Armed with a report from a qualified inspector, you can make a better-informed decision about your purchase of a home. You can proceed with the transaction as planned, ask the seller to make some repairs or concessions, or terminate the sales contract. 

What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual examination of the structure and systems of your home. A typical inspection covers the electrical, heating, and air-conditioning systems; plumbing; roof; interior walls and ceilings; insulation; windows; doors; and foundation. It usually does not include septic systems, swimming pools and hot tubs. Keep in mind that if an inspector cannot access a particular area, such as a very steep roof, he won't be able to inspect it.

Timing is everything

Buyers typically contact a home inspector right after they sign a purchase contract in order to schedule the inspection before the contract's termination option period expires. This approach enables you to follow up on any problems uncovered by the inspector. And if you find something you can't live with, you're within your rights to terminate the contract without penalty.

The time to find an inspector is before you sign a contract on a house. Make sure you identify at least two inspectors in case one is unavailable. Ask friends and family for their inspector recommendations and follow up with some research of your own. 

Ask questions
Once you settle on some potential inspectors, ask them questions about their services. Here are some suggestions:

• What is your fee?
• What will the inspection include? (Ask for a list of items that are included and excluded.)
• How long will the inspection take, and can I attend it? (Be wary of an inspector who doesn't want you around.)
• What type of training and licenses do you hold? (Make sure he's licensed in Texas.)
• Will you provide a written inspection report?
• How do you inspect the roof?
• Will you provide a list of references?
• If repairs are made based on your initial inspection, is there an additional fee to have you re-inspect that the house?

Talk to a specialist
A home inspector's job is to find problems, not fix them. If your inspector finds a problem with a house's wiring, call an electrician. You can get an estimate of the cost and severity of the repair and decide how to proceed with your purchase. Watch out for any inspector who finds a plumbing problem and immediately tells you that he's a licensed plumber. 

Speaking of specialists, your Realtor can advise you on the timing of your home inspection and answer any questions you have about the termination option in your contract. It's unlikely that you'll find a home without any problems - even newly constructed ones typically have flaws - but a home inspection can make you a better-informed home buyer. Once you know the condition of your dream house, you and your Realtor can discuss how to proceed.

If you want to look up more about and review the Standards of Practice for an inspector go to the State of Texas' web site at: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/inspector/default.asp  You can look up your inspector and find out more about what it is they should be doing. 

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/ and for all of your Pearland TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at http://www.danfrankrealty.com.  All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.

Danny Frank is a local Pearland TX Real Estate expert

This column was published in the 26Oct08 edition of the Galveston County Daily News