Hmm..... Sounds to me like you're doing work and incurring costs that
should be the agent's. I believe that you should be asking them to
supply you with a copy of the deed and any restrictions before you even
agree to look at the property. Why should you spend time going to the
Registry office, waiting in line, etc and then paying for photocopies.
Seems to me that if the agent is going to present the property it's up
to him to present everything about it that is germane to the
transaction, on his time and money.
73 de the "Old Curmugeon" VE7FO
Jerry K3BZ wrote:
>Unfortunately, most of the real estate people
>one encounters are not really fully trained "professionals", but rather
>"sales reps" who work for a fully-licensed broker. Generally, the primary
>tasks of the sales rep is to show as many properties as possible, with only
>a rudimentary sorting. They've been been instructed by their boss (the
>broker) that it is better to sell first and worry about the details later.
>That's why, when you tell them your price range is "X", they try to show you
>"Y", and so forth. They've been told to just come close, because most buyers
>don't really know exactly what they want.
>
>The theory is that if you show enough properties, the buyers will like one
>or two... and if if a buyer "likes" the house, secondary concerns (stuff
>like CC&R's, etc) will be overlooked and/or just lived with. As I said,
>most of
>these folks are not really fully trained "professionals", many are only part
>timers, and they have only enough actual training to pass the "sales rep"
>exam. Kind of like getting your "novice".... and you've heard of "work 'em
>first, worry later"?
>
>This is not really a slam against real estate sales folks, (been there, done
>that) but just to put into perspective why you shouldn't expect much from
>them in the way of help regarding CC&R's and/or properties that will allow
>antennas & towers. After all, maybe they only get a ham buyer once or twice
>out of a hundred buyers? And sales reps have to be out showing properties
>to make any
>money, not "researching" CC&R's, etc. We hams are definitely in the minority
>of home buyers, and our concerns are not what real estate people run into
>every day, so it's rare to find one that has any appreciation for our needs.
>
>It's always a good idea to put a provision in an offer: make it subject to
>there not being any restrictions on towers or antennas (or whatever is your
>concern...there are other things you might want to cover.) Then go and
>research it yourself. It's pretty easy.
>
> Asking the seller isn't reliable. Many times the sellers don't realize the
>extent of the CC&R's on their property, so you can't rely on a "no" answer
>if you ask. It's up to you to find out. If you're serious about a property,
>go to the county courthouse or Registry of Deeds, and look up the deed for
>that street address. It's a public record, and the clerks at the Registry
>will usually help you find the one you want. Any CC&R's should in most cases
>be filed with the deed, or a reference should be given. You can get a
>photocopy to review with your lawyer. It only takes 20 min or so, and it's
>time well spent.
>
>73, Jerry K3BZ
>
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