The Tennessee Real Estate Chronicles reports on the real esstate industry in the state of Tennessee and most specifcally monitors actions of the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, legislators, and lobbyists that attempt to influence govenmental controls over the industry. http://www.trecnews.com On January 8th, the Tennessee Real Estate Commission voted to revoked the authorization of all pre-licensing and continuing education courses and reset the expiration date of all from the approved date of December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2009. http://www.trecnews.com/article/01082009.html Despite a General Assembly that has pro-business Republican majority and a Governor that recognizes the value of jobs, the Tennessee Real Estate Commission seems bent on raising fees and making it more difficult for education providers to do business in Tennessee. http://www.trecnews.com/article/02092009a State GOP leader Robin Smith says the Tennessee Republican Party voted to strip Representative Kent Williams of Elizabethton of his Republican status. Last month, Williams caused an uproar by garnering the support of every democrat to win the speakership by one vote over Jason Mumpower. He was the first Republican to be elected speaker in 40 years. As a result, Republicans lose their 50-49 majority in the state House. Last month, Williams sided with 49 Democrats to become the first Republican house speaker in Tennessee since reconstruction. http://www.trecnews.com/article/02092009b Home foreclosures and market volatility are running high. So any investment even remotely connected to mortgages is the last place to look if you're trying to protect your retirement savings, right? http://www.trecnews.com/article/02022009a The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage dipped below 5 percent recently, a level not seen since the Eisenhower administration. And homeowners are scrambling to commemorate this historic event by refinancing their mortgages. There's just one problem: In this credit-starved environment, even a five-star general might have trouble qualifying for a new mortgage. If you're interested in refinancing, here's what you'll need http://www.trecnews.com/article/02022009b Like thousands of other Californians, Marcus Sanders would like a tax refund to help his family as recession tightens its grip on the economy and while he looks for full-time work. http://www.trecnews.com/article/02022009c.html