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Restrictive Covenants in the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex Area... Yes. They're Important to Read Before Buying a Home.

By Craig Rutman

Real Estate Agent with Helping people in transition 210155

May 25, 2011 01:09 AM

Restrictive Covenants in the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex Area...

Yes. They're Important to Read Before Buying a Home.

re·stric·tive cov·e·nants

A covenant imposing a restriction on the use of land so that the value and enjoyment of adjoining land will be preserved.

Here in the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area of North Carolina, many of the homes we'll be looking at are in subdivisions. And those subdivisions have rules. Those rules are known as "restrictive covenants".

But please don't fear the term "restrictive".

Personally, I always thought they should be called, "protective covenants", because they protect the value of your home.

While some community's covenants are more stringent than others, it's always a good idea to review them prior to purchasing a home.

Are you allowed to put up a fence? Can you have a pool in your backyard? Can you paint your house day-glo pink?

Can you have a pet elephant on your property?

The restrictive covenants will answer all these questions for you.

And, as your Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area Realtor, I'll make sure you've received a copy of the Restrictive Covenants for any home you're considering making an offer on.

Restrictive Covenants in the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex Area...

Yes. They're Important to Read Before Buying a Home.

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

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June Tassillo

Owner/Broker RE/MAX Elite Realty - Franklin, NC

Let me help you with the next phase of your life!

Russel ~ Hilarious picture of you with the elephant... I think they should be call protective too because it protects the value. It will only depend on ones needs, like if I want chickens or roosters. WHAT? I CAN'T HAVE ANY PIGS? I must move on to where I can then.

May 25, 2011 03:25 AM

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR

"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Oh, Craig, how can I gently "steal this" for all of my buyers who complain about having CC&Rs? This would derail them and put an instant smile on their faces....I will have to Bookmark this!

HYSTERICAL.

Oh, and nice outfit. At first I thought you were a midget in the circus....

May 25, 2011 08:53 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Gita - Good job Gita! I put a link to them right in the documents section on my MLS so buyers have access to them right away.

Tom - Come buy a home here Tom, I'll go over what they are with you then! Thanks for the picture kudos!

Michael - Two words for you my friend.... "Masking Tool". It makes painting in Photoshop frighteningly easy.

Amy - I've been calling them protective covenants ever since day one... And who doesn't love a pink elephant?!

May 25, 2011 09:48 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Laura - Clearly you're assuming I am politically correct!!!

Roger - It never ends, does it Roger?! Let her know it doesn't specifically say you can't have scorpions either, so you'll be letting all her neighbors bring in theirs...

Don - If I'm representing them, it's all about protecting the buyer.

Brenda - Exactly! Who wants to have to put their pet elephant up for adoption? They're family!

May 25, 2011 09:52 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Kristin - Why thank you Kristin! I'd like to give you an answer as to how I come up with these things. But truthfully, I just can't. They just happen... and then I relate them to Real Estate whenever I can.

Mary - I know the restrictive covenants are long and boring. But they really are important. And what do you have against elephants?!!!

June - Exactly June. If one's needs are not met in a particular neighborhood then find one that they will be met in.... before you place that offer.

Gayle - Gayle, feel free to "steal" this or any other blog I post. If you get a laugh, make sure you credit me. If not, then it's all yours!!! And how do you know I'm not a circus midget in my spare time?!!!

May 25, 2011 09:58 AM

Roger D. Mucci

Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH

Lets shake things up at your home today!

I like that idea sir, wish I'd have thought of it............her and the chickens are gone now.

May 25, 2011 10:34 AM

Anita Clark

Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

In my area many subdivisions strictly enforce their covenants so reading and understanding the do's and don'ts upfront is critical.

May 25, 2011 10:55 AM

Gay E. Rosen

Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY

As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Great perspective- of the real estate market and the tiny 'details...' When we purchased our first home, we had to sign away any mineral rights.... all interesting.... of course... I had many sleepless nights wondering where those 'minerals were.." Ha!

May 25, 2011 01:17 PM

Mark Mansfield

RE/MAX Ocean Properties - Morehead City, NC

Broker - NC Beaches , Water & Golf Course Homes

You cannot have elephants in the neighborhood where I work. It would not be good.

May 25, 2011 01:52 PM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Roger - That crazy old bird has flown the coop!

Anita - I can't reiterate that point enough. Read the covenants!

Gay - There's gold in them thar hills Gay! Start digging!

Mark - What about hippos? I hear they make great pets too!

May 26, 2011 12:20 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Craig - there isn't one morning that I don't stop by your blog that you don't put a smile on my face and give me a good laugh! I'm feeling blog envy - lol! You are a creative genius - no doubt about it!

May 26, 2011 12:51 AM

Jackie Connelly-Fornuff

Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY

"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Craig, always have to know these things. Not being able to have an elephant would be a deal breaker for me, lol.

May 26, 2011 12:55 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

With the right legal representation I think a case could be made for allowing elephants with wheels.

May 26, 2011 12:58 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Kristine - Blog envy! Now that's too funny! And thank you for using genius and me in the same sentence. That doesn't happen often ever!

Jackie - A definite deal killer! But ifthey read the covenants first, we wouldn't have even considered this one!

Sharon - I think these guys could get the job done... Dewey, Cheatum & Howe.

May 26, 2011 01:09 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

LOL!! you always put a smile on our faces Craig, the little pink elephant...nice :)

May 26, 2011 02:52 AM

Charita Cadenhead

eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL

Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Whaddya mean no elephants? This is discrimination at the highest level.

May 26, 2011 02:57 AM

Laura S. Baker

First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI

Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

Hee hee hee Mr.Rutman, pink elephants now? You never cease to amaze me.

;-)

May 26, 2011 03:22 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Laura - If I've made you smile then my message and my mission has been accomplished!

Charita - Last I checked elephants are not a protected class! But a seeing eye elephant... well, that's another story!

Laura - Yeah. Pink elephants! It just didn't seem right any other color... and I tried it with a bunch of different colors!

May 26, 2011 06:01 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Craig, I've seen one or two of those little pink critters in my life...I think. Anyway, while sometimes we seem over regulated...this is one time concerning restrictive/protective covenants that makes sense. Just ask anyone who lives out in the county where there are fewer restrictions...this could be in your neighbors front yard!