Behind The Real Estate Curtain

So, you have found the perfect rental property that you just love.  But, you need accommodations because of your disability that will allow you to enjoy the property.  What is the definition of “reasonable accommodations”?  Virginia state law 36-96.3:2 outlines what is reasonable and what isn’t. According to Virginia law, your request is reasonable if: An accommodation is necessary to afford you an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling The accommodation does not impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the person receiving the request.  The accommodation does not impose a fundamental alteration to the nature of the operations of the person receiving the request If you can answer yes to each of the above, the request for the accommodation, according to the Virginia state law, is reasonable and shall be granted. If the answer is “no” to any of the three statements above, The person receiving the request shall offer to enga...

Virginia state law 36-96.3 protects persons with disabilities against discrimination by requiring that property owners not discriminate against that person, or anyone associated with that person in the terms, conditions or privileges of the sale or rental of a dwelling.  They also cannot discriminate in the provision of services or facilities in connection with the dwelling because of a handicap. The law further states that discrimination includes refusing to allow the person to make reasonable modification of the premises if the modifications are necessary for the occupant to fully enjoy the premises.  The law does state that if the property is a rental the landlord may require that the property is restored to the original conditions before the modifications. It must be noted that all of these modifications and restorations are at the expense of the occupant. With regard to multi-family dwellings for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, the public and comm...

Virginia is a “Buyer Beware” state.  That means that it is incumbent on the buyer of any real estate to perform their due diligence to ensure that what they think they are buying is what they are really buying. All that fancy verbiage means “It’s up to you to investigate the real estate BEFORE you sign the papers to purchase.” Additionally, if you are SELLING a property, it’s up to you to understand the legal requirements of the jurisdiction the property is located before you offer the property for sale.  There are many agents who understand the requirements of the jurisdictions and they should point you in the direction of the source of the requirements.  In other words, they should be the source of the source.  They should be able to direct you to the source that can answer your questions.  If they are not a licensed contractor, they may have the knowledge about certain requirements, but it is BEST PRACTICES if they direct you to the actual sou...

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Several years ago the words “assistance animal” conjured thoughts of dogs helping visually impaired, deaf people and people in wheelchairs.  Today, that may not be the case.  According to Virginia state law 36-96.1:1, assistance animals are defined as an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's disability. … An assistance animal is not required to be individually trained or certified. While dogs are the most common type of assistance animal, other animals can also be assistance animals. An assistance animal is not a pet.” According to Virginia state code 36-96.3:1, a person with a disability who has an assistance animal shall comply with the rental agreement or any rules and regulations of the property owner that all other residents must follow as long as they don’t interfere with the...

With White Oak Realty, LLC…you have choices but, which one is the best for you.  Time, energy and the knowledge to deal with selling your home may be at a premium with everything going on in your life.  That is when it is best to hire a Full Service Realtor.  The Realtor will field calls from interested Buyers and Agents, meet inspectors and appraisers, run errands, send emails, explain your options with offers along with a multitude of other chores associated with selling your home. A full service Realtor will also ensure that your emotions are in check when making decisions.  Purchasing and selling a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life, other than getting married or having kids, and it too is, many times, driven by emotions.  Your full service Realtor will help keep you grounded and hopefully keep you from making a bad decision. Full service Realtors will charge a full commission that will be shared with the agent on the other si...

EIFS, also known as Synthetic Stucco, provides insulation, weatherproofing, and a finished surface in a single integrated product.  Since 1994 the "EIFS problem" has been a source of anxiety for prospective homebuyers. Research has determined that wind-driven rain enters the waterproof barrier EIFS surface in and around windows and other penetrations and at wall/roof intersections. Because barrier EIFS systems provide no means for allowing water to escape the wall cavity, intruding water is trapped inside the system, where it can remain for extended periods of time and eventually damage and even rot wood framing, sheathing and other moisture sensitive building components. These problems can occur regardless of the age of the building or the quality of construction, therefore EIFS homes should be regularly inspected. (Source: www.gethomeinspector.com) Additionally, if the EIFS touches the ground it can wick moisture from the ground into the walls.  This was a proble...