re: #213 iceweasel

Mandy, so far as I’ve seen, no-one’s been able to substantiate the claim about “all houses” that are being sold.

A bunch of us were talking about it the other night, and the only provisions that people found in the bill applied to “manufactured housing built before 1976” (trailers and modular homes), and even those people will get rebates or help in certain circumstances.

If I find anything suggesting this is about all housing I’ll let you know.

I would imagine that this will more likely take the form of mandatory disclosure if it’s in there at all. Around here, for example, you have to test if your home has any lead paint, and disclose that fact if it tests positive. It’s up to the buyer whether to care or not. Most don’t. Some might require a mediation deposit be placed in escrow, so if they choose to have the problem taken care of they can use the money, but if they don’t take action within a specified period of time the money reverts to the seller. Anyway, forcing mandatory upgrades onto the seller is a sure way to hammer what’s left of the housing market straight into the ground. And as a buyer, I wouldn’t really care; I can figure out all by myself if a house is going to need improvements, and if I feel that additional insulation is going to be required, I’ll adjust my offering price accordingly.

What I’m really hoping for is for this abomination to die in the Senate. I’ve already written both Senators in my state, and will be moving on to address my House members next. It’s a crappy bill whose handling borders on being illegal, and it needs a stake driven through it’s heart.