phorsenuf
Not so New Rule author
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Real Estate Agents Fume Over 'For Sale' Sign Fees
Ordinance Requires Monthly Payments
POSTED: 10:02 am EDT July 9, 2004
PLAISTOW, N.H. -- Housing prices are going up, and so is the cost of advertising a home for sale.
Real estate agents are fuming over the town's recent decision to charge them $50 a month for each "For Sale" sign they post in front of homes.
The issue came up when a local car dealership was ordered to pay the fee when it repainted an old sign to reflect a change in ownership. Former Selectman Barbara Hobbs, who owns the land where the business is located, complained to the town building inspector, saying that if her tenant had to pay, real estate agents should as well.
Inspector Michael Dorman said he hadn't known that "For Sale" signs required permits, so he looked into the ordinance.
"We couldn't believe it," he said. "She was absolutely right."
Hobbs said her intent was not to penalize the real estate agencies, but to point out how the town mistreats businesses. She said appealing the sign requirement to the Zoning Board of Adjustment would cost up to $100 and called the process a "money-making scheme."
"The town encourages businesses to come here, but then they impact fee you to death," she said.
Appealing the sign permit requirements would be even more costly for real estate firms. For each sign each month, they would have to file a separate appeal. Appeal applications cost $80 to $100, depending on how many abutters must be notified.
Dee Voss, the building inspector's assistant, said Thursday she has received complaints from about eight agencies since letters were sent warning that the ordinance would be enforced.
Sheldon Wolff of Wolff Realty Group said the town is grasping at straws. Homes usually stay on the market for three to six months, meaning fees of $150 to $300 ultimately will be passed on to consumers.
"I've never heard of such a thing," Wolff said. "If the sign's on somebody's own personal land, they have the right to put it there. It's not only a restraint of trade, but a violation of freedom of speech."
Wolff said he would pay the fees, but he plans to work with his fellow agencies and the town to change the ordinance. The earliest that any changes can be formally proposed to the Planning Board is 120 days before the next Town Meeting in March.
Ordinance Requires Monthly Payments
POSTED: 10:02 am EDT July 9, 2004
PLAISTOW, N.H. -- Housing prices are going up, and so is the cost of advertising a home for sale.
Real estate agents are fuming over the town's recent decision to charge them $50 a month for each "For Sale" sign they post in front of homes.
The issue came up when a local car dealership was ordered to pay the fee when it repainted an old sign to reflect a change in ownership. Former Selectman Barbara Hobbs, who owns the land where the business is located, complained to the town building inspector, saying that if her tenant had to pay, real estate agents should as well.
Inspector Michael Dorman said he hadn't known that "For Sale" signs required permits, so he looked into the ordinance.
"We couldn't believe it," he said. "She was absolutely right."
Hobbs said her intent was not to penalize the real estate agencies, but to point out how the town mistreats businesses. She said appealing the sign requirement to the Zoning Board of Adjustment would cost up to $100 and called the process a "money-making scheme."
"The town encourages businesses to come here, but then they impact fee you to death," she said.
Appealing the sign permit requirements would be even more costly for real estate firms. For each sign each month, they would have to file a separate appeal. Appeal applications cost $80 to $100, depending on how many abutters must be notified.
Dee Voss, the building inspector's assistant, said Thursday she has received complaints from about eight agencies since letters were sent warning that the ordinance would be enforced.
Sheldon Wolff of Wolff Realty Group said the town is grasping at straws. Homes usually stay on the market for three to six months, meaning fees of $150 to $300 ultimately will be passed on to consumers.
"I've never heard of such a thing," Wolff said. "If the sign's on somebody's own personal land, they have the right to put it there. It's not only a restraint of trade, but a violation of freedom of speech."
Wolff said he would pay the fees, but he plans to work with his fellow agencies and the town to change the ordinance. The earliest that any changes can be formally proposed to the Planning Board is 120 days before the next Town Meeting in March.
