New Home Buyers please read.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by veuvegirl

Even if you buy established the roads can expand. One house we looked at backed up to a somewhat main road. We decided against it, thank god! The road started off as a small road, now it is two lanes each way, more traffic lights etc.

I feel for the people that purchased a house, only to have it now near a major road.

One advantage of my 50+ year-old neighborhood is that the roads are as wide as they're likely to get for a really long time. Just sayin'. I know it's not what everyone wants, but that's one huge advantage.

[MurphyPl1]

Originally Posted by Aceraceae

Most cities have the zoning plans available online.

And definitely have them available for public review in the offices. It's covered under public information.

[MurphyPl1]

We have a guy in our neighborhood who wants to change out the wrought iron fencing that surrounds our entire neighborhood to wood. Because when he moved in a year and a half ago, he failed to notice the construction barrels on the road behind his home and is now concerned that the road that is being expanded will be unsafe for his backyard.

Well, buddy, North Murphy Road has been slated for expansion for over 16 years. The mockup (3 boards long) has been at City Hall since 2010. And those construction barrels would have been a big red flag for most people. So you didn't do your due diligence on a purchase costing over $400K and now you want the rest of us to change the entire neighborhood's fencing?

[Pete53FR]

Be glad that you don't live in Houston. They really have no zoning.

[TheOverdog]

You can look at zoning maps, but they change often. You can try to find established neighborhoods, but in every DFW city there are huge tracts of land open for development, and in the ones where there isn't redevelopment is starting to occur. You can fight, and you may win for a while, but you will not win forever.

In my opinion, you should fight the development occurring and dodge what you can, but know it's a short term thing. Development will win in the end because the US has strong rights for developers, for better and worse.

[nsumner]

It doesn't appear that the OP was dealing with a Realtor. If they were dealing directly with the builder, the salesperson is not a Realtor, is representing the seller and doesn't have the buyer's interest at heart. If the OP had a Realtor, then shame on that agent for not doing their due dilligence for their client and advising them accordingly.

Glad you got out of it. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Naima

[loves2read]

I would imagine the "realtor" giving the comment that they were limited in what they could tell someone were really sales agents for the developer--and not a realtor representing the buyer...
We have had several realtors in different states (FL, TX, LA) give us advice about zoning--

the only reason NOT to tell a prospective buyer about zoning is because it would hurt the sale of the developer's lots...I am sure they were able to say that land was zoned commercial vs residential w/o breaking any rules but those the developer had in place...

people--especially novice home buyers--make the mistake of thinking a "sales agent" is their friend--
a sales agent is a salesman/woman period--
would you consider a car salesman/woman your friend and best source of advice about buying a new/used car?
I doubt it--
so why assume that someone working for a developer or who is the listing agent for a home seller is best person to protect YOUR interests????

[4Movingeast]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

I've bought and sold probably 15 houses over the years and never used or needed a real estate attorney. I've also never had a bad experience with a realtor. Of course, I don't rely on a realtor for everything - I always do my own research as well, and ask lots and lots of questions.

This. And I would add that it is helpful to keep in mind that real estate agents are SALES people, albeit 90% of the time very well- meaning, helpful sales people. If something about the deal makes you uncomfortable or you can't get answers to your satisfaction, consult another party.

[penvsword]

You do need to be careful and check whatever information is available for these empty large lots around where you want to buy. I did and the city plans displayed a new grocery store being built right behind us and on the other side of the development brick wall. It would not have been so bad except the driveway and loading docks were planned to run along the brick wall. That sure would not be any fun to hear loading and unloading all night long!

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by penvsword

You do need to be careful and check whatever information is available for these empty large lots around where you want to buy. I did and the city plans displayed a new grocery store being built right behind us and on the other side of the development brick wall. It would not have been so bad except the driveway and loading docks were planned to run along the brick wall. That sure would not be any fun to hear loading and unloading all night long!

Indeed.

Years ago in the neighborhood next to mine (Heights Park Estates in Richardson), a house was destroyed by a gas explosion. People died. The house was leveled. The remains of the house were scraped off the lot and it has sat vacant and for sale ever since. It's a large lot on a beautiful street, and you can build to suit.

Two blocks away, another house had fallen into disrepair as its owner aged and did not keep up with proper maintenance. It was torn down and Shaddock & Caldwell built a spec home on the lot. It took quite a while to sell (because of the eye-watering asking price) but it did eventually sell.

Other houses in that neighborhood sell very quickly.

But...the gas explosion lot sits on the market.

I know why.

IT BACKS UP TO A TOM THUMB.

Nobody's going to build the home of their dreams 50 feet from Tom Thumb's loading dock.