a dumb question for realtors.

[Papa Deuce]

When you put your signs on someone else's property to advertise a house you have listed, do you have to ask permission?

I'm guessing you do, but if you do, I bet a lot of people say "no".

See. Dumb question.

EDITING TO MAKE CLEAR: If a realtor puts a sign up on someone's property to advetise, and that property is not involved in the deal at all. The sign just happens to be on their property.

E.G. Realtor puts a sign up on a corner property to advertise a house down the street that he or she has listed.

 

[jayandstacey]

If you are the listing agent for the seller, that permission should be included in the listing agreement the seller signs. Otherwise, yes, the owner is still the owner and you'd need permission for a sign (but they should want to grant it, except in rare circumstances)

Is that what you are asking?

 

[Robindianne]

When you put your signs on someone else's property to advertise a house you have listed, do you have to ask permission?

I'm guessing you do, but if you do, I bet a lot of people say "no".

See. Dumb question.

Not dumb at all. In Hawaii (DH and I are agents there), the seller signs a document allowing permission when they sign the whole listing agreement. Since I moved to Seattle, I've noticed (not a realtor in WA) some sign company truck comes around putting them up. On the Big Island we had to get out there ourselves with a hammer (or big ole lava rocks and in fact once my DH spent the evening in the ER getting stitches because of slicing open the back of his hand on the edge of the post.

 

[Papa Deuce]

If you are the listing agent for the seller, that permission should be included in the listing agreement the seller signs. Otherwise, yes, the owner is still the owner and you'd need permission for a sign (but they should want to grant it, except in rare circumstances)

Is that what you are asking?

No. In my neighborhood, realtors always put up signs for on the corner homes of streets for homes that are for sale in the middle of the block. The people who have the signs on their property have no affilation with anybody or any property.

 

[jayandstacey]

Not sure why they would say no - if they want to sell, then they want to garner interest in a sale by letting people know.

The instances I can think of where a sign might not be wanted:
- a VERY high end property where a sign might somehow increase the chance of a break-in
- where local ordinances prevent a sign
- where the beauty of a property is so great that a sign would ruin it

but again, if you are the listing agent - I see no reason a person wouldn't want a sign out to, ideally, increase the final selling price.

 

[CherCrazy]

Do you mean the little directional or open house signs that point to the house that is actually for sale? If that is the case, usually the directional signs are put at the curb area. This area is usually owned by the township in many towns, not the homeowner.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Do you mean the little directional or open house signs that point to the house that is actually for sale? If that is the case, usually the directional signs are put at the curb area. This area is usually owned by the township in many towns, not the homeowner.

Well, they use WHOLE signs in my area, and there are no curbs. They put them in the grass of people's lawns.

 

[jayandstacey]

No. In my neighborhood, realtors always put up signs for on the corner homes of streets for homes that are for sale in the middle of the block. The people who have the signs on their property have no affilation with anybody or any property.

Still not sure I get it. Are the signs out on the public right-of-way (say, between the sidewalk and the street?)
I can't imagine that signs can go up without permission. What's the point of ownership then? However, I can imagine that local laws might allow the owners of the corner properties to make a little extra cash by allowing signs in their yard.

Typically what we see around here are little signs (12"x12"?) that say "open house" or the like - and they are stapled to telephone poles or street signs.

 

[Anewman]

No. In my neighborhood, realtors always put up signs for on the corner homes of streets for homes that are for sale in the middle of the block. The people who have the signs on their property have no affilation with anybody or any property.

Not a Realtor but I do own a few properties(mostly multi unit rentals), several times I have had to confiscate banners(not just realtors) posted on my property. One campaign worker observed me taking one of his banners and started yelling about federal laws this and that, I pointed out that it is also unlawfull to post without permission. He claimed the tennant gave him such permission, I offered to show him the lease which states the tennant has no such authority... he walked away without his sign.

 

[CherCrazy]

Wow! In the great state of NJ (haha) it is illegal for realtors to put the full signs on any other property than the one that is listed. You may want to call the Real Estate Commission in PA to see if it applies there too. PA actually follows a lot of NJ's real estate laws, so it may apply. But then again, if so many people are doing it maybe not.

 

[snowy76]

Well, they use WHOLE signs in my area, and there are no curbs. They put them in the grass of people's lawns.

In our area, the first 2 feet or so of the lawn belongs to the town's right of way (no sidewalks, suburban neighborhood). Most of the open house signs are within that space.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Still not sure I get it. Are the signs out on the public right-of-way (say, between the sidewalk and the street?)
I can't imagine that signs can go up without permission. What's the point of ownership then? However, I can imagine that local laws might allow the owners of the corner properties to make a little extra cash by allowing signs in their yard.

Typically what we see around here are little signs (12"x12"?) that say "open house" or the like - and they are stapled to telephone poles or street signs.

We have no sidewalks where I live. These FULL SIZE signs are just placed in the grass of property owners who do not have any interest in the sale. This is in no way public property. Realtors just stop at a corner and hammer them into the gound.

 

[Anewman]

In our area, the first 2 feet or so of the lawn belongs to the town's right of way (no sidewalks, suburban neighborhood). Most of the open house signs are within that space.

I am guessing that if the adjacent property owner is expected to maintain that 2 foot wide area, he also reserves the right to remove litter or any other obstructions that may impeed his ability to perform maintanance.

Also are you sure that the town actually OWNS such property and is not just making use of easements?

 

[annegal]

This is in no way public property. Realtors just stop at a corner and hammer them into the gound.

I think you are wrong.
In every city & town and rural home I've owned or lived in the city(town) owns the first 5 +/-feet from the street-this is ALWAYS the utility "right of way". Although homeowners mow this grass strip -from the curb to the sidewalk-it is not technically their property.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I am guessing that if the adjacent property owner is expected to maintain that 2 foot wide area, he also reserves the right to remove litter or any other obstructions that may impeed his ability to perform maintanance.

Also are you sure that the town actually OWNS such property and is not just making use of easements?

This was my thought as well.

 

[jayandstacey]

We have no sidewalks where I live. These FULL SIZE signs are just placed in the grass of property owners who do not have any interest in the sale. This is in no way public property. Realtors just stop at a corner and hammer them into the gound.

OK, then I guess the signs either have permission, or they don't. The real answer lies with the owner.

 

[snowy76]

I am guessing that if the adjacent property owner is expected to maintain that 2 foot wide area, he also reserves the right to remove litter or any other obstructions that may impeed his ability to perform maintanance.

Also are you sure that the town actually OWNS such property and is not just making use of easements?

We own it and have to maintain it; however, there are also restrictions about what we can and cannot do with it. So in that sense, the town has the final say. In our town (I just looked it up) the stipulation for open house signs on other people's properties is that they have to go up and come down on the same calendar day. They can't sit there indefinitely. But no requirement to get the property owner's permission.

 

[disykat]

I'd be ticked off if someone put a sign on my property. The easements are for utilities, not for realtors who are putting the signs out for profit! I've never noticed signs posted on individual property other than the homes that are actually for sale, nor did I ever have one posted on my property when I lived on a corner.

Interesting question though. It just occured to me that we have signs posted in the HOA landscaped entryway everytime a house is for sale in the neighborhood and no one has ever asked for permission.

 

[JennaTX]

I live on a corner lot in a neighborhood with no sidewalks. There is only one realtor company that has asked my permission to post the "open house" sign.

I don't really care if they post a sign for a couple of days, but I will say that if I ever sell, I will be calling the company that has bothered to ask permission first!

 

[barkley]

I think you are wrong.
In every city & town and rural home I've owned or lived in the city(town) owns the first 5 +/-feet from the street-this is ALWAYS the utility "right of way". Although homeowners mow this grass strip -from the curb to the sidewalk-it is not technically their property.

boy howdy it's different in our neck of the woods. city property goes to the exact edge of of the sidewalk that buts up to the lawn or driveway (or whereever the property line is) on a residential home (about 3 1/2 feet from the street). as for utilities, at the exact point it enters the property it is no longer the utility entities responsibility for maintaintance, repair or upgrade-the city can have easement rights if it's written into the deed (usualy established at the time of construction and has to be disclosed at each transfer of ownership) but without that they have no access or rights. if you carry any type of home warranty (builder or private policy) it breaks down to plumbing/phone/electrical inside, (same) external-but ends right at the property line (where the city or an adjoining neighbor take responsibility). i've known of cases where underground pipes have burst-the city comes out, checks their portion up to each property line-then determining the problem is'nt with their 'part of the pipes' orders the property owner to get a private contractor in (at the owner's expense).

we have some neighborhoods whose sidewalks are very old and in great disrepair. in order to upgrade them it would be necessary to make them wider to comply with ada standards (which would entail eating up about 6 inches of lawn and driveway with each home). the city has yet to make these repairs because without the express permission of all the property owners to gift the city the property (and relieve themselves of the taxes and liability issues) 'eminent domain' would have to be granted by a court of law.

as far as real estate signs go around here-our city is very restrictive on signage. you can put a standard for sale sign in your own from yard, but i think we are precluded from advertising for others. the 'open house signs' can only go up so many hours prior to one, and have to be down within so many hours of the end (and you never see them on private property).