November 2022 - First Gratitude
Gratitude walks with me every day. Whenever things get difficult, I stop and think about how to re-frame to acknowledge what I feel grateful for in my life.
Real estate as a career enhances my daily life. What a wonderful path - helping others realize dreams! Seeing my Clients in their new spaces is a continual joy.
Real estate knowledge allows me - after stating clearly every single time that I am neither an attorney nor an accountant - to share answers with Clients. One very crucial aspect is making sure that our Clients understand all details of the contracts they are about to sign.
We remind our Clients that as they initial each page of the Buyer Agreement, they are stating that they both have read and understood the contents of each page. Are the Purchase Agreements long? For sure, they are long. Having the opportunity to assist and be sure each page is clear for our Buyers is a privilege.
Constant complaints about HOA situations often base themselves in lack of paying attention before signing documents. Yes, if the HOA Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, often called the CC&R, states certain behaviors are allowed or certain behaviors are forbidden, the Buyer had best believe those are enforceable details.
ActiveRain's own Anita Clark offers a great explanation of CC&R in her Blog post about Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions.
If there are details in the CC&R that the Buyer doesn't like, it may be necessary to move on to another community. Wouldn't it be unreasonable to assume when the community has a 20-pound limit for the size of a dog that you may just show up with your beloved 60-80 pound Labrador? Could there be exemptions? Of course one could apply for an exemption - results unknown - yet is that the most sensible way to go? Buying and then attempting to change the CC&R?
In Midtown Atlanta, where we work, imagine this particular item of differences in the CC&R's of two high-rise buildings right next to one another. In both, certain large pure breeds are excluded. However, in one, a mixed breed dog, known to be half one of a "forbidden" species is allowed. Next building over, dogs with any percentage of the non-allowed species are not allowed to live there.
Here at Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty, we encourage Buyers to read the CC&R carefully before making any offer. The CC&R rules so many details within the community. Yes, you may have a home business but no, you cannot have clients in for meetings. Or yes, you may have Clients visit but not more than a certain number at a time. And the list goes on...
We manage rental property so we have learned about the many differences that exist. In one community, the HOA Architectural Committee must approve any and all exterior changes and even restricts what concrete may be used for driveways! Most high-rise communities include porch/patio/deck restrictions about what items may be kept on the outdoor "room" of the unit. In another community, the HOA Architectural Committee has a say in the front yard landscaping and must approve any new plant arrangements. Yet another states that the HOA Architectural Committee must approve any and all exterior changes even down to adding a screen door!
We also suggest to the Buyers that they attend at least one HOA Meeting and, down the road, even plan on taking a turn as an Officer. For most people, a home purchase is the single largest investment in the portfolio. Why not jump into the community? That way you will support and protect your own investment.
All the knowledge we have crammed into our heads over the years can benefit our Clients! Aren't we so very lucky? A lot to encourage GRATITUDE.
Gratitude - Thanksgiving 2022 -
First post - Second post - Third post - Fourth post
Posted as an entry to the November 2022 Gratitude Challenge.
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