Mike Jaquish Cary, NC, Real Estate

I have to say, I hope not to cross paths with these fellows too often.  They were nice guys, and both had great sense of humor.  I suppose that is how it has to be in their field of endeavor. But they came out on short notice, worked hard, and got the job done. And B&D Septic Service sure knows their SEO. They are all over the internet, and own their realm on Google.

You know, some of the least appreciated services are also among the least appealing jobs.  Go figure.

Just today, the Town of Cary, NC, announced that they have gone "live" with the new town Website.

Well, sort of "live."

A few pages wouldn't load for me, but I assume that is because the announcement and email blast spurred a lot of residents to try to take it for a test drive. What an endeavor, to link up to 55,000 files!

First look tells me that it is a more contemporary interface on the home page.

And it appears that access to information like Council Meeting minutes, Projects and Initiatives will be more direct. The old site, which won awrds when new, was not greatly intuitive, and was a little "click-Happy," I think.

Access to Parks and Recreation is right in the middle of the Home Page.

We'll navigate around the new site and see what the Town of Cary has created!

The North Carolina Residential Property Disclosure Statement can be filled out by sellers on line, and printed out.

NOTE: North Carolina Consumers should discuss questions about disclosure with their professionals, attorney or real estate agent. While none of the following is meant as legal advice, and readers should not assume I am offering them agency representation, here are some informal notes to consider:

For Sellers:

You pretty much have to do it. You are required to offer this completed form when selling property, unless your sale falls into a Disclosure exemption. Ask your professional.

Your agent can not/should not complete this for you, unless your agent is also an owner of the property.

You can't lie. Truly, I hope that is not a disappointment. If you say one of the listed components has no problems, you need to know or believe that there is no problem. If you just spent the weekend putting primer/sealer on and repainting the wet spot on the bathroom ceiling without fixing the leaky roof? You might be charged with fibbing if you state that the roof has no problems...

You can select "No Representation." In other words, you have nothing to say about the property. That may be a good thing to mark if you do not know anything about the individual component. It is often used by investors or beneficiaries of an estate who have not lived in the property. I have been told that many attornies advise that all Seller mark "No Representation," because it reduces your exposure to liability. Right, I think. But, not being an attorney, I'm not qualified to give that advice. However, I can tell you as a Buyers Agent, when I see blatant "No Representation" tactics, it sets off warning bells. Often I caution my Buyer that the Seller may have something to hide.

You have to present the disclosure on a timely basis, or a contract can be terminated by the Buyer. Just do it. Print 20 copies and leave them in the house. Tell your Listing Agent to upload the form to the MLS listing, so it is readily available. Why put a transaction on hold because the Buyer's Agent has to call to have one faxed (FAXED? Oh, yeah, faxes... Via time machine, from the Stone Age.)

For Buyers and Sellers:

You aren't in Kansas anymore, Toto. We might do things differently than in the state you left. Learn and roll with it.

Read the form. Tell your agent to read the form. One of you just might learn something about the form, the rules, or even the property.

For Buyers:

You are in a "Caveat Emptor" state. While current trends are moving toward more support for Buyers in rules and legislation, you are responsible for most of the discovery and due diligence on the property. Let your Realtor help you. Select a Realtor who CAN help you.

"No Representation" is NOT a crime in North Carolina. It might just clarify for you that the Seller just does not know. Do your own due diligence and inspection/investigation.

Don't assume the Seller didn't make an error. Many people just do not understand what they are completing. Do your own due diligence and inspection/investigation.

Don't assume the Seller didn't lie. Sadly, it isn't a perfect world. Do your own due diligence and inspection/investigation.

Working with Relocation Buyers in Cary and Raleigh, I often see the confusion that they have regarding the disclosure requirements in our state vs. their home state. I think it is part of my job to educate the client in disclosure requirements, and the meaning of the disclosures.

"The Town of Cary has scheduled an upgrade for its Web site, www.townofcary.org, from Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27. The Web site may be unavailable for all or part of this period as we prepare to launch a redesign of the site."

The Town of Cary offers a wealth of information on the Town website. It is currently a little challenged in navigational efficiency, but still works well, albeit with a dated feel.

I'm looking forward to "New and Improved." Optimistically, at that. I think the Town has the ability to make access to information easier, and do it with a great interface.

The availability of information from Town Council meetings to proposed subdivision plans and hearings, and parks and recreation is great. I'm hoping we don't get a new site with a lot of superfluous flash that slows downloads and distracts from the value of the site. Just give me the facts, please.

But, again, I'm optimistic we will end up with a great Cary, NC website