Aug. 22, 2006 – A move is under way to end the use of temporary real estate licenses, St. Thomas Realtor Rosemary Sauter said Tuesday.
Sauter said she is in the process of writing a draft bill for action by the Legislature.
Currently people can get a temporary real estate license good for up to six months if they get a real estate agent to sponsor them. "A temporary license is a ticket to procrastinate," she said.
Sauter said that before the temporary license expires, real estate agents have to take a course and pass a test in order to get their permanent license.
"Those that take the course are most successful," she said, referring to their ability to sell real estate.
Although an earlier draft of the bill included a provision to require a credit report, Sauter said that won't be included in the final version that goes to the Legislature.
"We're not getting into that," she said.
And she said, contrary to the early draft of the bill, the bill also will not cover property managers.
"Property managers are completely different licenses and time-shares, too," she said.
Carl Gotts, who with his wife, Marti, owns Vacation St. Croix, said he was puzzled by Sauter's comments because on Aug. 14, he received a draft copy of the bill from the V.I. Territorial Association of Realtors. The draft copy was dated November 23, 2004 and included the credit reporting and property manager provisions.
"I'm delighted they've come to their senses," he said. Gotts said he sees that allowing anyone access to a credit report is a security risk.
Gotts also owns Buyers Agent VI and Gotts & Associates insurance company on St. Croix.
Sauter anticipated the Legislature will act on the new real estate licensing law soon after the new senators take office.
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