The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation exists to protect you, the consumer. If you haven't checked out their web site, it's definitely worth a look.

This web site has news about changing real estate laws. It has a place for you to check out real estate agents and find out whether there have been any disciplinary actions against them. And while I'm talking about real estate agents here, DPOR actually regulates 30 occupations and professions.

There are two upcoming changes to real estate laws that will effect you in the next 12 months. And, as each one gets closer I'll have a blog that provides more information on what you need to know. But the DPOR site is a good place to get started with what's coming up.

And, if you're getting work done on your house, you might want to check out your contractor here before you hire him or her! First you want to know if they're actually licensed! Then you want to know if there have been serious problems with them in the past.

It always pays to do your homework! And DPOR provides a good web site for starting that process.