“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defated is optional.”
-Roger Crawford: Motivational author and speaker
REALTORS:
FREE EXCLUSIVE SPEAKING EVENT ON MONDAY JULY 25, 2011
SPEAKER: Rick Ruby of The CORE Training, Inc. (Also Zack’s personal coach for the last 2 years)
TOPIC: “How To Turn Buyers Into Closed Transactions And Exceed Your Goals for 2011”
Click on image for more information and to RSVP TODAY **Go To REALTORS Tab**!
(Due To Limited Seating You MUST RSVP)
The CORE Training, Inc. Website
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR LAW EFFECTIVE 7/1/11
Don’t forget that there is a new carbon monoxide detector law in effect. Please be aware, this can be an additional fee to your borrowers should they need a re-inspection on their appraisals if the home does not have these installed.
This law required detectors to be installed in every “dwelling unit headed for human occupancy.” The California legislature also modified both the TDS (for residential one-to-four unit real property) and MHTDS (for manufactured homes and mobilehomes) to include a reference to carbon monoxide detector devices.
Every owner of a “dwelling unit intended for human occupancy” must install an approved carbon monoxide device in each existing dwelling unit having a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage.
The applicable time periods are as follows:
(1) For all existing single-family dwelling units on or before July 1, 2011.
(2) For all other existing dwelling units on or before Jan. 1, 2013.
(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(a).)
This new law requires the owner “to install the devices in a manner consistent with building standards applicable to new construction for the relevant type of occupancy or with the manufacturer’s instructions, if it is technically feasible to do so” (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(b)).
The following language comes packaged with carbon monoxide (CO) detectors:
For minimum security, a CO Alarm should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. The Alarm should be located at least 6 inches (152mm) from all exterior walls and at least 3 feet (0.9 meters) from supply or return vents.
Building standards applicable to new construction are as follows (overview summary only):
· Section R315 et seq. of the 2010 edition California Residential Code (CRC) [effective Jan. 1, 2011] (applicable to new one-to-two family dwellings and townhouses not more than 3 stories and also where work requiring a permit for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding one thousand dollars in existing dwellings units):
Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.
· Section 420 et seq of the 2010 edition California Building Code (CBC) [effective Jan. 1, 2011] (applicable to other new dwelling units and also where a permit is required for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding $1,000 in existing dwelling units):
Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.
A violation is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $200 for each offense. However, a property owner must receive a 30-day notice to correct first. If an owner who receives such a notice fails to correct the problem within the 30-day period, then the owner may be assessed the fine. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(c).)
The only disclosure obligations are satisfied when providing a buyer with the TDS or the MHTDS. If the seller is exempt from giving a TDS, the law doesn’t require any specific disclosures regarding carbon monoxide detector devices. (See Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1102.6, 1102.6d.)
The Homeowners’ Guide to Environmental Hazards also will include information regarding carbon monoxide.
All landlords of dwelling units must install carbon monoxide detectors as indicated in Question 4. The law gives a landlord authority to enter the dwelling unit for the purpose of installing, repairing, testing, and maintaining carbon monoxide devices “pursuant to the authority and requirements of Section 1954 of the Civil Code [entry by landlord].”
The carbon monoxide device must be operable at the time that a tenant takes possession. However, the tenant has the responsibility of notifying the owner or owner’s agent if the tenant becomes aware of an inoperable or deficient carbon monoxide device. The landlord is not in violation of the law for a deficient or inoperable carbon monoxide device if he or she has not received notice of the problem from the tenant.
(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926.1.)
READ MORE ON THE C.A.R WEBSITE (Login Required To Read Details)
FANNIE, FREDDIE MAY LOSE TOP CREDIT RATING
Standard & Poor’s cautioned Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that they may lose their top credit ratings if lawmakers don’t soon raise the government’s borrowing limit to avoid default.
The S&P also said that the government-sponsored enterprises could potentially default on their debts since they are so reliant on the U.S. government for funding. Fannie and Freddie own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages.
Congress is frantically trying to come up with a solution to raise the $14.3 trillion borrowing limit to avoid a default by an Aug. 2 deadline. If they are unable to come up with a compromise, analysts say it could have a devastating effect on the U.S. economy, particularly the already fragile housing market.
If the government defaulted on its bonds, the government likely would have to raise interest rates dramatically, which in turn would hamper home ownership, analysts say.
HELP ON THE WAY FOR UNDERWATER HOME OWNERS?
A bill introduced in the Senate aims to remove barriers for underwater home owners looking to refinance. “The Helping Responsible Homeowners Act” would order Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to waive fees and remove barriers that are keeping underwater borrowers from refinancing to lower mortgage rates.
The bill, authored by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., has gained more momentum in Congress after Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., who ran one of the nation’s largest real estate brokerages, also signed on to sponsor it.
“The time to help struggling home owners is now while interest rates remain at near-historic lows,” Boxer says. “This legislation would help millions of responsible home owners who are making their payments, but are still struggling to make ends meet. By helping these home owners refinance at lower rates, we will put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of families and strengthen our economy.”
Coops Coffee 