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Usually, people only think of Agents when they are about to make a decision on buying or selling a home. But did you know that in Texas, Real Estate Agents work for you all year long? Members of the Texas Association of Realtors work with local, county, and state lawmakers to ensure Texas remains a “homeowner friendly” state.

They review proposed new laws in Texas, analyze the proposals, and work to educate legislators about the effect of those proposals on individual homebuyers and sellers. They do this without a sales contract on your home or a “for sale” sign in your yard.

While the rest of the country experienced a meltdown in the real estate market the past couple of years, Texas was less traumatized. Sure, Texas saw homes go to foreclosure but, years ago, Texas Real Estate Agents and other Real Estate associations recognized the potential for abuse in the home loan business. They convinced the Texas Legislature to limit home equity loans to 80% of the value of the home. This forward-thinking initiative guaranteed Texans, who refinanced their homes to access cash for other purposes, would be less likely to lose their homes to foreclosure. Other states did not have the same foresight and protection. As a result, when home values declined, many families were forced out of their homes through foreclosure. Texas Real Estate Agents and Realtors were working for you.

In the past, Texas Real Estate Agents and others have opposed proposals to impose a transfer tax when a home is sold. If this type of tax became law, Texans would have to pay a higher price to buy or sell a home. For instance, if Texans had to pay a 1% transfer tax every time a home was sold, on the sale of a $200,000 home, someone would have to pay a $2,000 tax! Either the buyer would have to pay $2,000 more for the home or the seller would receive $2,000 less from the sale of the home. In either case, someone pays a $2,000 tax and Texas has extra money to spend.

Texas Real Estate Agents and other associates of the Real Estate industry in Texas believe most buyers and sellers would rather keep that money in their pockets. Texas Agents and associates are always watching out for Texas homeowners and work to prevent such laws from being enacted here in Texas.

Agents and Realtors realize that buying and selling a home is a major decision for most people. They also believe only people who are highly qualified and knowledgeable in their craft should practice real estate sales. That’s why they are supporting a bill in the Texas Legislature to increase the requirements for more experience before granting a broker’s license, as well as, requiring more continuing education concerning a broker’s responsibility. The proposed bill protects consumers by ensuring that real estate brokers are better prepared to train and take responsibility for the sales agents working for them.

Texas Real Estate Agents and Realtors are working to improve oversight of homeowners associations. They support laws to ensure HOA operations are transparent and consumer-friendly. They work with lawmakers to ensure HOA legislation does not contradict current law. They believe HOA rules must provide a balance between home buyers/sellers and the homeowners associations. Recently, some news stories reported HOAs foreclosing on homes for failure to pay annual dues. In one case, a soldier serving in Iraq and his wife lost their home when the wife did not pay the annual dues to the HOA. The HOA foreclosed on the home and sold it for pennies on the dollar. Texas Real Estate Agents and Realtor are working for you to prevent HOA abuses.

Texas is one of only a few states in the country that does not require the disclosure of home-selling prices. According to some estimates, sales price disclosure could result in more than a $250 million property tax increase for all property owners in Texas. Texas Real Estate Agents and Realtors believe “your home is your castle” and no one, not even the taxman, has a right or need to know what you paid for your home. Although there have been attempts to require disclosing home-sale prices to the local taxing authority, Texas Real Estate Agent and Realtor are in Austin fighting to protect your homeowner rights.

In April, more than 2,000 Texas Real Estate Agent and Realtors stormed the Capitol in Austin. They met with state senators and representatives and presented the case for homeowner rights all across Texas. They provided a real estate voice for all homeowners, not just those who were buying or selling houses. Your Texas Real Estate Agent and Realtors are always working for you.

Do you see why we love Real Estate Agents and Realtors?  That’s where the love is!

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