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Old 07-22-2014, 01:33 AM
 
2,547 posts, read 4,208,270 times
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So we've been looking at houses for a while, and we decided to put an offer on a house in Sammamish. We're dealing with all the inspection process and whatnot. We've received the preliminary title report and one thing caught our eye, that the mineral rights for the property have been sold to the builder, Weyenheuser, back in 1952.
We've tried talking to our agent, lawyer, as well as the city and even the department of natural resources to find out what that might mean for us but no one seems to have much information. There are some horror stories online of things like fracking taking place in residential communities where residents don't own mineral rights, in other states. I'm not convinced that it presents much of a risk here given that they haven't done anything with them for 65 years. However, we're a bit concerned whether that could be an issue for resale down the road, and just want to know in general just how common this is around here - it's one thing if most of the homes in the area or state are in the same boat, and another if it's just a handful of homes, in which case resale may be a concern. This info is proving to be surprisingly hard to pull up as well.

So, a question for those that bought their homes around here: do you know if you own your mineral rights? Have you ever heard of it being a concern? Do you think it should be? Anyone knowledgeable in local geology to know whether there IS even anything down there?
This is a major, long-term purchase for us so we just want to be extra-cautious with everything.
Thanks!
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Old 07-22-2014, 12:52 PM
 
320 posts, read 507,070 times
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As far as I'm aware, no one is fraking in WA at all. And as an aside, it seems like most of what they're doing is buying up reserves. I'd say contact them yourself to start, and if it sounds wonky have a lawyer contact them:

Minerals, Oil and Gas

You can also ask other homeowners on your street if theirs are sold off as well. If they don't know it would presumably be written into the deed at the courthouse, which will be publicly accessible.
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