ATI Newsroom

A warm fire can be relaxing and cozy on a cold winter night. But if you live in warmer weather or are worried about the upkeep, you can upgrade your fireplace into a stylish storage area. Clean it out and seal everything up before you start and pick a paint color that complements your room or leave it as is for a more natural look. Display large glass jars of various shapes and sizes or arrange framed artwork to create a layered look. A tray of candles of varying heights provides that classic warm glow without the work or cost of a traditional wood or gas fire. It’s also a great spot for a green plant or your favorite books.

Do you have an outdoor electrical receptacle you like to use? It’s probably where you plug in the stereo while hanging out, outside. It may also be the source of electricity for your outdoor lights, especially during the holidays.

Protect the Receptacles

To protect these receptacles, it’s important to install a cover in any area where dampness may be likely. A good option is a trap door that stays closed when the cover is not in use but allows you to lift the trap and plug your lights in when necessary.

There are many innovative ways to keep outdoor receptacles dry.

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) October Meeting covered many topics:

1. Public Comment on “Walk and Talk” Inspections

2. Discussion of Payment at Closing

3. Proposed Amendments to Section 535.223, Standard Inspection Report Form

4. New Property Inspection Report Form Instructions

5. Proposed Notice of Apprentice/Real Estate Inspector Termination Form

6. Committee Agrees to Move Forward with Proposed Legislation to Repeal Inspector Recovery

7. Proposal to Require 8-Hour Pre-Licensing Course for Inspectors

8. Where to Find Meeting Materials

For detailed information on the meeting and discussion, click here: TREC Meeting Minutes

Upcoming Meeting Information

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee’s next meeting is January 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. in Austin, or you can watch the livestream. In accordance with normal Commission practice, any meeting materials will be available on the TREC website before the meeting. To participate by providing public comment during the meeting, contact general.counsel@trec.texas.gov by 5 p.m. CT on January 13 along with the agenda item number you wish to speak on. If you are unable to attend the meeting live, you can email your public comments instead.

It can be difficult to determine whether it is best to invest in a brand new roof or to repair any issues that arise. While this decision is often up to your discretion and budget, there are several situations where you will need to replace your roof to ensure the safety and health of your household:

• Your roof’s structural supports are impaired
• Water damage has caused serious mold growth or rotting
• A majority of your roof’s shingles are missing or damaged
• Your roof has extensive leaking issues
• Fallen objects like trees have caused extensive damage
• Your roof has reached the end of its lifespan

If any of these conditions apply to your roof, you will only be adding to the problem or wasting money by trying to repair it. Your best bet is to hire a contractor to install a new roof!

If you don’t feel safe and secure in your own home, it can be difficult to think positively of your property as a whole — especially if you live alone. On the bright side, it’s not difficult to improve the security of your property; there are actually quite a few methods to accomplish this. For example, installing a home security system is an obvious option if you’re willing to make the investment. Even just installing more lights (including motion-detecting lighting fixtures) can help to ward off potential intruders. And, in the modern age, you can always upgrade to smart locks and smart doorbells for a more unified and user-friendly security system. Ask us about maximizing the security of your property.

Each season means new opportunities for home improvement, but what should you focus on during the fall? It’s always a good idea to add a fresh coat of paint to your house while the weather is still comfortable. It’s also important to make sure your patio and deck are prepared for the upcoming winter months. Put away any furniture and check for any cracks or dents that water could seep into and freeze, causing serious trouble. Finally, have your heating system and chimney professionally inspected to make sure you’re good to go when the colder weather comes around. Ask us how you can best take care of your home this autumn.

For the structure of your home to remain sound and intact, one of the most vital elements is its foundation. If there is damage to the foundation of your home, you can have serious problems in the long run. So, how do you even identify whether or not a foundation is damaged? There are a number of warning signs to look out for, including cracks in the exterior or interior walls of your house. Bowing walls, sagging or uneven flooring, and crooked doorways are also glaring signs that something is wrong with your foundation. Contact us for help caring for your property’s foundation or more tips on how to spot damage early on.

Are you looking to sell your home fast? Many sellers are, although not everyone understands the actual techniques to use to speed up the process. One way to sell your home faster is to perform certain improvements which could pique the interest of potential buyers. Many of these home improvements are simple: For instance, you can give your mailbox an upgrade. You can also throw on a fresh coat of paint, whether it’s inside or outside your home. Also, try putting some time into landscaping to bring up the curb appeal of your property. Then, before you know it, your home will be off the market. Need advice on selling your home quickly? Get in touch with us for assistance.

Flooded basements are both stressful and expensive and, much of the time, seem to come out of nowhere. That said, if you’ve noticed that your basement is flooding, don’t panic — there are just a few key steps you’ll need to take. First, confirm that the basement is safe to enter. Make sure to turn off the electricity and gas before heading down and be wary of any electrical wires or water damage to the ceiling. Sometimes, it won’t be safe to enter until the water has been drained completely. After that, you can find the source of the flood and remove or drain the water. Ask us about how you can begin repairing and renovating your basement after a flood.

Real estate properties come in far more than just one form. Rather, a variety of different niches exist on the market. Depending on the niche you select, the amount of income you’re bringing in could vary, depending on the current state of the market. That being said, what are some of the current best specialties for bringing in money via real estate? You could consider getting into commercial real estate or look into eco-friendly properties. Another option could be foreclosures or short sales. Finally, a couple of additional booming niches are luxury real estate and foreign investment. There are so many ways you can bring in a solid income working in real estate. Ask us about selecting a specialty and maximizing income today.