Legal Tips By Neel & Robinson

When Should Home Buyers Get a Survey? | Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Real Estate Legal Tip

Monday, October 31st, 2011


Keller Williams Realty Atlanta – Peachtree Road

Atlanta Homes For SaleAtlanta Real Estate News - Atlanta Home Buyers


Real Estate Legal Tip

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Legal Tip:  When Should Buyers Get a Survey?

 

 

 

Most lenders do not require their buyers to have a new survey done in preparation for closing.  The lenders have title insurance protection for survey problems.  Keep in mind that lenders also do not require buyers to get owner’s title insurance, but they do require lender’s title insurance to protect the lender!

Most buyers have learned that it is a good idea to get owner’s title insurance, and there are many situations where it is also smart to get a new survey done.

What properties should definitely have a new survey?

1.        New construction  - the builder may have a survey in connection with the construction loan, but make sure that the survey includes driveways, walkways, boundary fences and walls, parking pads, patios, and sundecks.

2.        Properties that have been rebuilt or remodeled – many builders are squeezing large houses onto small lots, and only a survey will show if any building lines and setbacks have been violated.

3.        Older properties with small frontage or narrow width – many of these houses have been enlarged over time, plus there are often encroachments of driveways and fences.

4.        Properties with long legal descriptions (metes and bounds) rather than short legal descriptions (lot number, plat book and page).  It is very helpful if the long legal description refers to the previous survey that was used to write the long legal; in this case a copy of the previous survey may suffice.

5.        Any properties that are made up of more than one “tract” or “parcel”, usually because the parcels were acquired at different times or because neighbors have “swapped” some property to accommodate a driveway encroachment or fence encroachment.

 

Presented by Leigh Clack, Attorney

Neel & Robinson Attorneys at Law, LLC

Leigh.clack@neelandrobinson.com

404-705-3690           fax  404-459-0704

5555 Glenridge Connector, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30342



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Who Is Responsible When a Tree Falls? | Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Real Estate Legal Tip

Thursday, September 29th, 2011


Keller Williams Realty Atlanta – Peachtree Road

Atlanta Homes For SaleAtlanta Real Estate News - Atlanta Home Buyers


Real Estate Legal Tip

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Legal Tip:  Who is responsible when a tree falls?

 

Trees and tree limbs can fall due to a tornado, hurricane, or just old age and bad health.

Homeowner’s insurance policies may cover some damage and tree removal, but there are certain questions that will be asked to determine which homeowner (and which insurance company) is responsible.

Live, healthy tree:  Each homeowner is responsible for his/her own damage and cleanup, regardless of where the tree trunk is.  No one can predict or prevent a tornado or hurricane.  This is a “damage” claim, so the deductible will apply first.

Old, dying, diseased tree:  Each homeowner should regularly trim or remove the portion of the tree on his/her property AND should notify the neighbor in writing if an unsafe tree is a potential danger to neighboring properties.

Neighbors do not have the right to go onto other neighbors’ property without permission, even to trim or remove a dangerous tree.

However, giving notice of the unsafe condition will help recover insurance proceeds, possibly even from the neighbors’ insurance company. This is a “liability” claim, so there is no deductible.

Leigh Clack, Attorney                   leigh.clack@neelandrobinson.com

Neel & Robinson Attorneys at Law, LLC

5555 Glenridge Connector, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30342

404-705-3690                    fax  404-459-0704




**SEARCH FOR ATLANTA HOMES NOW**