Wake up America!

Are you paying attention to our government?

Money is tight for us all but the consumer better keep a keen eye on the government in the coming weeks.  More laws are being prepared to raise money for the county, city and federal government.  Do you think they don't concern you!  Think again.  Many areas are trying to pass point of sale laws that will have a homeowner replacing wood-burning devices, windows, air conditioners and plumbing before closing can take place.  The REALTOR®  Action Fund is fighting to protect homeowners but we need everyone to get involved.

If you think I am calling wolf then let me point out two laws that affect millions of sales in the coming years.

New laws have taken effect in San Luis Obispo County requiring residents in Los Osos to retrofit plumbing fixtures at point of sale because of the town's dwindling water supply.  Specifically, toilets are to be replaced with toilets rated at no more than 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf).

Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area adopted an ordinance which requires gas shut-off valves be installed downstream of the meter and at the point of appliance on all buildings sold within unincorporated areas of the county prior to entering into an agreement for sale or prior to close of escrow.

The California Energy Commission currently has a state-wide point of sale ordinance for energy conservation in their strategic plan and the California Public Utilities Commission has a recommendation for local point of sale ordinances in their recently released draft California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan.  Therefore, in the future all local governments may be required to adopt more stringent standards.

Since we are seeing very few sales with homeowners walking away from the closing table with equity many transactions are going to fall out of escrow if homeowners don't have money to pay for these requirements and the buyer will not pay for them.

It's time to tell our legislators that point of sale is not the time to demand these repairs.