Another informative article submitted by Felicia B. Watson Attorney at Law
When I meet with my clients, I always ask them if the plan on building or adding on to the property they are considering to purchase. This includes building a pool. The size of the home , the size of the lot, wetlands, flood zones and easements can restrict a homeowners’s ability to build. Also, each town has very specific zoning regulations regarding setbacks from the neighbor’s property, the septic system or wetlands, if any exist on the property.
These restrictions usually effect building outside of the footprint of the home, not interior work. Many Buyers have no intention of adding to the home. But ask for a copy of your easements anyway. The more knowledge you have of your property the better. For those who even might build an addition, find out the necessary information before you sign the Contract. Also, if you have any intention of building a pool on your property, hire a company to establish the footprint before you sign. An easement on the land records does not effect marketable title, so if you don’t like the easement after you sign the contract you can not rescind the contract.
As a former member of the Town Plan and Zoning, I am acutely aware of the rules, regulations and guidelines for homeowners. Understanding the potential is just one more step in a successful real estate purchase.