Things have really changed in 30 years. When I started selling Real estate in the 80’s I could sell you a home with a one page agreement. Now the Sales agreement can be 12 pages, add another 8-10 pages in disclosures and a file can easily get to 25 pages in no time. Over the years I saw how a simple problem created a new disclosure and it mushroomed into the situation we have today. I understood the need, it was essential to properly protect clients in what is probably the largest transaction in your life. What I found in that time is that some laws were made due to an issue arising. A few homes found Radon so a new disclosure was developed regarding Radon. This was the same for lead base paint, oil tanks and so on. I do wonder though where some of these laws I’ve seen come from, for example: In Multnomah County did you know it’s illegal to strap a baby in a car seat to the top of your car with duct tape? Since I’ve seen that some laws are created due to an incident I really wonder how many babies were duct tapped to the top of cars for this law to be passed. I kind of think most kids would like that though and perhaps that type of thinking is why this law came to be. I think I’m starting to understand why now.
Greg Rosen is a humor writer for the Pamplin Group Newspaper, Realtor, father and husband. Questions or comments are appreciated: [email protected]. Please share if you like what you see.