Please note that the LA Real Estate Commission has elected
NOT to develop its own unique Mold Pamphlet, but has instead, adopted
the pamphlet published by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The
pamphlet is available in its entirety on line at www.EPA.gov. Just type
in the word 'mold' in the search block; the pamphlet is item 2, titled
something like "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home."
Citizens can also order a copy of the pamphlet by going to the bottom
on the home page of the Mold pamphlet and clicking on the link to the
National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP). It is my understanding
that these are free, but each order is limited to five copies.
Three important points:
* The pamphlet is optional; brokerage firms may adopt policies about tracking
use. The Commission does NOT require any proof of use.
* The Commission also said that, by just giving clients the web site to
the EPA, that should suffice as notice. That's an option you might want
to consider.
* The Commission also adopted an EPA pamphlet on commercial buildings,
also available at www.EPA.gov. All
pamphlets from the EPA are free, but you can order only five per order.
Annotation of offer rule goes into effect July 20
Changes to Section 3905 of the Louisiana Real Estate Commission's
Rules & Regulations regarding annotation of offers will go into effect
on July 20, 2003. The rule change requires designated agents to annotate
all offers and counter offers. This effectively takes the burden off of
licensees (who are not the designated agent) so that they would not be
required to immediately present the offer. Under the new rule, it will
be the designated agent who annotates offers and/or counteroffers as to
the date and time they were received by that designated agent. Then, applying
the requirements in Section 3901, the designated agent would be required
to present the offer/counteroffer immediately. For more information, please
contact contact Stephanie Boudreaux with LREC at 225-925-4771 or boudreaux@lrec.state.la.us,
or Norman Morris at 1-800-266-8538 or norman@larealtors.org.
Do-Not-Call/Do-Not-Fax Toolkit
NAR rolled out a Do-Not-Call/Do-Not-Fax Toolkit at the 2003 Conference
and Expo in San Francisco. The Toolkit provides REALTORS with over 100
pages of information on the new Do-Not-Call and Do-Not-Fax Rules including
information on the safe harbor provision, how to access the registry,
sample FTC Registry web pages, FTC and FCC consumer advisories, and NAR's
webcast seminars on complying with the rules.
NAR distributed over 3000 copies of the Toolkit to conference registrants.
As a result of the high-demand, NAR is making additional copies available
to associations and members. Orders can be placed at the REALTOR.org. For more information on the Toolkit, please call
NAR Information Central at 1-800-874-6500