This is one of the bills that may have the most impact on buyers and sellers of real estate in Virginia. Currently, there are two forms from which to choose when selling a home – a Disclosure or Disclaimer (pdf). I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago, but now it appears that HB2011 is very likely to pass into Law. There will essentially no longer be a Disclaimer, but caveat emptor will still be present. Note the changes, of which there are far too many to itemize here. One of the more interesting changes is the advocacy of the home inspection:
(ii) The owner makes no representations or warranties as to the condition of the real property or any improvements thereon, and purchasers are advised to exercise whatever due diligence a particular purchaser deems necessary including obtaining a certified home inspection, as defined in § 54.1-500, in accordance with terms and conditions as may be contained in the real estate purchase contract, but in any event, prior to settlement on a parcel of residential real property.
More education is typically a good thing.
The public position of VAR (no longer available), and an opposing view (archived: 2013). I am torn in my view of eminent domain. If a broadband company is expanding into a rural area, and one landowner is stopping that progress, part of me supports the landowner’s right to keep his land and, in turn, harm all of those around him. The other side of me recognizes the need to progress and expansion, and realizes that this is an example of justified eminent domain. If government could be trusted, this I wouldn’t be so conflicted.
I don’t even know where to begin on this one. Transportation is such an extraordinarily complex, convoluted and conflicting issue, all I can do is hope that something productive comes to pass.
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Jim Duncan has been helping buyers and sellers in Charlottesville’s neighborhoods for 25 years. Get local insight born of experience.
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