| If you are considering buying a home or land in the Sanford area (or anywhere), you need to know what CC&Rs apply. CC&Rs stands for Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. In many neighborhoods and subdivisions, CC&Rs are a list of rules that outline how the land may be used. CC&Rs may also be placed on land outside of a subdivision as well. These rules vary widely and are recorded as public deed restrictions. Once CC&Rs are placed on a property, they normally remain with the deed even if the land is sold to a new owner. Sometimes these rules are very broad and cover only a few restrictions. Sometimes the CC&Rs are very specific, and sometimes there are pages of restrictions. These rules may prohibit some uses for the land. |  |
 | Examples of restrictions may include: - Minimum home size
- Approval of home design prior to construction
- Restrictions prohibiting fences or restricting their height or color
- Prohibit above ground pools
- Approval of paint colors for the home exterior by the HOA (homeowners' association)
- Prohibit more than a certain number of pets
- Prohibit parking boats or commercial vehicles
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| Deed restrictions are a little like the Goldilocks fairy tale: some may be too big and cumbersome, some may be too small and allow things you don't want. The goal is to find the neighborhood that is "just right" for you. Because each person is different, it is important to work with your real estate agent to make sure they know what you are looking for in a neighborhood. Let your real estate agent know if you have certain things in mind like a garden, want to add a garage in the backyard, want to add a water garden, or anything specific you want to do after you purchase the home or property. Your agent should have an idea of which neighborhoods will be a good fit for you based on your needs. | |  |
 | Since CC&Rs and their enforcement vary with each subdivision and neighborhood, if you have a specific use in mind you will want to make sure any home or land you are interested in allows your use. For example, if you want to have a fence to keep your pets in the yard you will want to check the CC&Rs to make sure fences are allowed. Your agent should be able to provide you with a copy of the CC&Rs for property you are interested in. If the CC&Rs require something to be approved by a homeowners' or property owners' association, it would be a good idea to ask the association in advance if the use will be allowed. Some associations use the approval process to prevent items like fences or certain paint colors to be used even though they are not specifically prevented in the CC&Rs as written. Asking before you put in an offer to purchase a property can prevent you from buying a home or lot that you cannot use the way you had hoped. |
Look for an article in the near future with more specific details about HOAs (homeowners' associations) and POAs (property owners' associations) in the Sanford area.
Look at what real estate professionals in other areas are saying about this subject:
You can visit my Sanford NC Homes website for more information about homes in Sanford, Lee County, or Harnett County in North Carolina.
Rita Taylor
ERA Ammons Realty
Sanford NC Real Estate
“Taylored” For You!
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Rita, this article on restrictions and covenants is helpful not only for buyers in Sanford but any buyer, anywhere - every home owner association has some form of restriction. In Indian Rocks, by me, you can only paint your house earth tones - and they specifically spell out NO WHITE EVER (even though the earth around Lake Wallenpaupack is completely white from December through April, LOL...unless there is no snow.) People looking for a white home and a white picket fence will need to look elsewhere.
Great job!