RIGHT-OF-WAYS AND PRIVATE ROAD MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS

Hello Bob.  Thanks for your kind comment.

Dad was a simple man.  He grew up during the depression with a loving mother and "a mean dad" [my mother's words].  Dad was the eldest of four children, and from an early age he worked hard, lived honestly and simply.  His mother was a hard working woman, and made time to take the children to church.  Dad went off to war as a boy, with his mother's signature.  After the war, dad returned to high school, and I attended his graduation.  Dad stressed education to us boys.  He stressed honesty, hard work and fair play as well.  When he believed he had been wronged, he said so, but I never saw him carry a grudge.  When he lost his lawsuit (mentioned in the blog) he never mentioned it to me until after the fact: too late for me to help him.  I never heard a vindictive word from his lips; but it did not surprise me because I never heard one toward the farmer and his sons.  I never knew dad to lie, curse or take advantage of someone.  Those are big shoes to fill.  He was always there for my brothers and I, aunts & uncles, cousins, and anyone else he knew had a need.

Bob, I think Dad has more sway on me than any written code of ethics because I saw those ethics wearing shoes.  I have tried to pass that on to my children and grandchildren.  A piece of paper was not what directed my dad: it was a deep faith in God and a belief in right and wrong.

Lenn, thank you for being there for all of us.  I always read your posts with a learning mind, and I agree with your assessment of getting along with neighbors.  When my son returned after being away working on his PhD, I gave him my equity in my parents home, and he bought the place from Mother (retiring the debt on that property and her current residence.  He and his wife have worked hard on upgrading the property.  As a boy, my son spent many hours helping Dad build that house, and so he already knew the neighbors and the lay of the land.  He is a cross between his two granddads.  My dad was driven to get a job done, while my daddy in law worked with a belief that "don't force things, just keep it steady: we will get it done."  Both men were WWII vets, Christian deacons, and respected in their communities.  Both loved having my son around them, and he learned at their feet.  He has my hair style.  Without doubt, he is the most trustworthy man I know.  When his name comes up in conversation, so does my chin.  As a bonus, I can say the same things about my daughter-in-law, son-in-laws and daughters.  Further, all of us men in the family know and appreciate the special women who love and abide us, and that included my wife and my grandmothers, and mothers.  I truly would wish that blessing on the current generations of all races and colors.

Margaret Rome, hello.  I worked with an old school broker for years,  and his most frequent comment was,"No he said, she said.  Reduce everything to writing.". I always stress that the quickest way to lose a friend is to ASSUME you agree, and that nothing will go wrong where money and love are involved.  My dad was a man of his word, and wanted to believe everyone is.  They are not.  Lawyers exist for two reasons: (1) to make sure agreements are specific and accurate, and (2) be the butt of our jokes.

Lou, thank you.  As an MLO, I ran into a number of doozy misundrstandings and assumptions.

Had one deal where access was across L & N Railroad property ,(tracks).  No right-of-way had ever been granted, and they refused to provide one in writing.  The deal fell through, and lawyers went to work.  Time moved on and I lost track of the issue.  I would like to learn the outcome (if I can remember the Listing agent's name).  I do know that the RR had no intentions to deny access.  I'm not a lawyer, but I believe there is a statute that grants a public right-of-way after a period of time, so perhaps the RR could not deny access.  Wish I could recall who the listing agent was -- it has been more than ten years since my involvement.  This will bug me all day.