Calendar

February 2012
S M T W T F S
« Jan    
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
26272829  

Join the SAR
Social Media Sites

Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
FACEBOOK TWITTER
Subscribe to us on YouTube Subscribe to our blog feed
YOUTUBE BLOG FEED

C.A.R. Monthly Message January 2011

Beth L Peerce

Dear C.A.R. Member,

A new year, and with it, new beginnings and new opportunities. I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges that invariably present themselves as the new year gets underway.

One of the challenges I know many of you have been dealing with is working with short sale transactions, and I promised last month to keep you informed on C.A.R.’s efforts to address your concerns.

First, just last week I, and other C.A.R. officers, met with officials at Bank of America to ask for their commitment in streamlining and improving their short sale process. The bank has agreed to meet with our Distressed Properties task force in the very near future to discuss ways to ensure a smoother short sales process. We’ll also be meeting with the other major lenders over the next several weeks and will share any outcome with you.

Additionally, C.A.R. recently sent letters to officials at the U.S. Treasury Dept., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency requesting immediate changes to the HAFA program and recommending solutions so the program can succeed. The letter attracted the attention of the banking trade American Banker, which ran an article last Thursday noting C.A.R.’s concerns about the dearth of HAFA short sale closures. The article is sure to be noticed by the lenders and servicers who greatly need to make immediate changes. Read the letter to industry regulators.

We will continue to remain vigilant in the area of short sales, so stay tuned for further updates.

Continue reading: C.A.R. Monthly Message January 2011

TDS to be Amended for Home Safety Devices

TDS-11 Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement

Starting January 1, 2011, the Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) will be amended to streamline the disclosure of home safety devices. First, the TDS will include a new disclosure of whether the seller has a carbon monoxide detector. This disclosure addresses a new law requiring California homeowners to install or plug in a carbon monoxide device in an existing single-family residence by July 1, 2011 (next year), and other existing dwelling units by January 1, 2013. The new TDS will specifically state that installation of a carbon monoxide detector, among other appliances and devices, is not a precondition of sale or transfer of the dwelling.

Second, the TDS will be amended to incorporate a seller’s certification that, by close of escrow, the seller will be in compliance with existing requirements for smoke detector and water heater bracing. Effective January 1, 2011, the new TDS will eliminate the need for a separate standard form Water Heater and Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance (C.A.R. Form WHSD) for applicable transactions.

The new requirement to install or plug in a carbon monoxide detector will apply to dwelling units with a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. “Fossil fuel” means fuel gases, wood, oil, coal, kerosene, or other petroleum or hydrocarbon products that emit carbon monoxide as a combustion byproduct. Special rules apply to residential landlords.

Continue reading: TDS to be Amended for Home Safety Devices