MOLD, MOLD, MOLD!

The symptoms caused by the presence of mold may not be easily differentiated from a person's normal range of pre-existing physical discomforts. Some strains of mold may aggravate a person's susceptibility to allergic reactions, asthma, hay fever, headaches, fatigue and/or hypersensitivity pneumonitis or may create them anew. Who can know? You don't want a judge to decide.

Mold advisories are embedded throughout various real estate documents including the purchase agreement, the zone disclosure report and the earthquake guide booklet. Given the increased attention that mold gets every time a case comes to court and the plaintiff wins, a general advisory may not be enough.

Introducing a new REMERGE TC affiliate service…

SHERLOCK HEALTHY HOMES, INC.

As the demand for Mold and Environmental Inspections increases, agents ask REMERGE TC to refer a mold and environmental inspection service. Because mold inspection is relatively new and the industry is yet self-regulating, REMERGE TC declined to refer any company until now. REMERGE TC investigated and feels confident to recommend Sherlock Healthy Homes, Inc. who is also endorsed by TV Troubleshooter and Consumer Advocate Judd McIlvain and is a member in good standing of the Better Business Bureau of Southern California.

Sherlock Healthy Homes, Inc. is the largest, non-biased, mold inspection organization in Southern California serving the Counties of Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino. It performs mold inspections and remedial planning services for residential and commercial properties. Sherlock Healthy Home Inspectors are certified to test for mold, toxic mold and industrial hygiene.

If you or your clients have any questions regarding mold or environmental inspections, visit the Sherlock Healthy Homes, Inc web site at www.sherlockhealthyhomes.com or call the experts at 1-800- 590-6653 (MOLD). One call may personally save you thousands of dollars and unimaginable grief.

REMERGE TC & SHERLOCK HEALTHY HOMES, INC.

In the interest of protecting you, the agent, REMERGE TC is proactively including a Sherlock Healthy Homes, Inc. brochure to supplement the Mold/Environmental Inspection Elect to Order or Waive form that is part of every disclosure package we send to the Buyer. This form now also is as a receipt for the brochure. The Buyer can contact a professional service for information and advice on mold, thereby make a more educated decision on whether to order or to waive a mold or environmental inspection.

For a copy of the Sherlock Healthy Homes, Inc. Brochure, e-mail your request to shelly@remerge.com

ISSUES IN HOME WARRANTY

Home Warranty insurance is a "repair or replace" policy on the moving parts of the house. The premium for a one year Home Warranty ranges from $250- $300. The service call is $35-$50. Coverage includes the built-in features of the property such as plumbing, electric, heating, dishwasher, garbage disposal, range, oven, stove, built-in microwave, exhaust fan, faucets, water heater, sewer lines, septic tank pump, hot water dispenser, ceiling fan, doorbell and garbage door opener.*

Optional coverage must be requested for items such as A/C, pool, spa, pool/spa equipment, refrigerator, washer/dryer, roof, well pump system and structural endorsement.* It is a good idea to request a brochure from each company so that you know exactly what the cost is for the basic and upgraded premiums as well as the options.
*REMERGE Home Warranty Plan

REQUESTING A HOME WARRANTY ON THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

The Purchase Agreement notifies the Buyer that Home Warranty insurance policies are available and advises him to purchase one. It is not fair but it is a fact that agents sell Home Warranty insurance policies with no allowable compensation per RESPA. Often the Buyer requests that the Seller pay the one year Home Warranty policy premium in the purchase agreement. Often the Seller agrees to pay, but not always. In the event that the Seller refuses, the Buyer can pay for it. If the Buyer decides to not ask for or not purchase a Home Warranty policy, he should sign Home Warranty Waiver . REMERGE TC collects this Home Warranty Waiver for your file.

When requesting a Home Warranty policy on the Purchase Agreement, it is imperative that you include:

1. The name the Home Warranty company that you prefer. Not all companies offer the same items in their basic or upgraded policy or charge the same amount for the premium or options.
2. A "not-to-exceed" dollar amount. The Buyer (or Agent?) will have to pay for any additional options that exceed the not-to-exceed dollar amount.
3. Specific options to be covered. Each options has its own price. Be sure the property has the options that you request! eg. Even an expensive beach property may not have A/C.

A Home Warranty policy placates the soon-to-be new owner of a house. The policy, however, in no way relieves the Seller from his contractual obligations regarding the condition of the house when he turns it over to the Buyer. Don't let the Seller think that he does not have to fix the dishwasher because the Home Warranty will cover it after the close. It won't. Don't let the Buyer think he can call on Home Warranty to replace a lame A/C system. Preexisting conditions are not covered. It's hard to fool Home Warranty Inspectors. They've seen it all.

A FINAL NOTE

Remind the Buyer after the close of escrow that he has a Home Warranty (because you are such a good agent, looking out for him). Give him the Home Warranty company brochure and review his coverage with him. Chances are, he will have cause to use it in the first year of this home ownership. For quick reference, the Home Warranty company, options ordered and confirmation number are available on your REMERGE TC web site file at www.remerge.com .

C.A.R. CONVENTION: EXPO 2004 - "DIVERSE UNIVERSE" 10/5 through 10/7

The annual C.A.R. Convention takes place this week at the Santa Clara Convention Center. It is the biggest show of the year and its FREE! My bags are packed! How about yours? I'll be investigating all the new and updated programs and gadgets as well as attending legal watch dog seminars regarding the many new disclosures lined up for 2005. If there is anything in particular you would like me to research for you at the C.A.R. Convention, e-mail me at my universal address: shelly_crestc@yahoo.com I shall also be helping out at the CRES Insurance Services booth. If you are in the convention neighborhood, stop by and say hello!

REMERGE TC QUICK TIP - LISTINGS

Got Listing? Register it with REMERGE TC IMMEDIATELY! Your contractual time lines may be in jeopardy if you wait. Remember that REMERGE TC mails the complete SDP (Seller's Disclosure Package) to the Seller. The Seller must review, sign and mail the SDP back to REMERGE TC. Even moving at a clip, it takes a minimum of 7 days to complete this first step of processing your listing.

Go to: www.remerge.com

Click: NEW LISTING

Fax: the Listing Agreement, Seller's Advisory and Agency Relationship

Go to: the beach

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? SUGGESTIONS?

Contact shelly@remerge.com . Let's hear from you!

Shelly Gorenstein, Editor REMERGE TC Gazette, Director REMERGE Transaction Coordinators