Have any of you around here researched the "Cap & Trade" Bill? From what little is known so far this bill seems to be an industry killer! Please let me know that I am wrong, if not, real estate industry beware!

If the bill passes the senate as written, the Real Estate industry will collapse. If you thought it couldn't go any further south, think again.

I just learned that the "Cap and Trade" bill that passed the House of Congress last Friday has a special provision in it that you will just "love". The bill contains language that will mandate an EPA inspection on any home or office building and that inspection will require that the home must meet current EPA standards for energy efficiency. So, if you are buying homes in disrepair, you essentially cannot buy those homes from banks or other investors unless, and until the home is brought up to EPA mandated standards for energy efficiency. You will also be required to have energy efficient appliances in the home as well as energy efficient windows and doors. You know. The things you were going to fix when you bought it and the reason for your discount on the property at purchase? Yeah. That. Your discount is going to be mandated out and so will the idea of buying cheap, fixing, and selling will be moot.

As if all of that isn't bad enough, the EPA standards will require that your home is fully up to a federalized building code before selling. The source of the federal building code? You probably guessed. California's building code. You know. The state that is about to go bankrupt because it has overspent its budget? Yeah... that one.

If you have not been paying attention to this bill, you should have been. If you are now paying attention, good for you. This dangerous bill must be stopped. Call your senators today, write them, e-mail them, fax them, and keep in touch with them often on this bill. It is critical that this bill be stopped.

In North Carolina your senators are Richard Burr ( R ) and Kay Hagan ( D ). In South Carolina, your senators are Jim DeMint ( R ) and Lindsey Graham ( R ). Burr is the only one I know for sure is a solid NO. Everyone else is either up in the air or a YES. Call these senators and let them know you do not want this bill to pass and to vote NO.

For their contact info, go to the senate.gov website below:

North Carolina: http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=NC


South Carolina: http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=

Please take action!