For those of you that are not familiar with the Raleigh area let me just say that we have VERY strict sign laws. You are only allowed a certain number of signs per property, strict requirements on directional signs and Open House signs are also heavily monitored.
If you do not follow the sign laws you can get fined - I know, it happened to me over 2 years ago.
Here is an article that came out today regarding the possible modification of sign requirements/laws. You can be sure that I will be following this closely!
From WRAL.com:
Real estate agents ask Cary to relax open house rules
Cary, N.C. - Real estate broker Brenda Carroll has a new listing in Cary that she is trying to sell, but a Town of Cary ordinance is making her job tougher, she said.
She would like the town to relax its rules regarding open houses and open house signs. Town leaders said they are open to exploring the possibilities, and they have asked staff to review the ordinance.
Cary allows two open houses per house, per year. Carroll said she would like that cap lifted. Also, real estate agents and homeowners can put up no more than three directional signs to point prospective buyers to an open house. That can be tough in a large subdivision, Carroll said.
"What if you have a home that needs four (signs)? Are you supposed to break Town of Cary laws by putting up the fourth? Or are you supposed to not have an open house?" she said.
Town rules also state that open house signs can only be displayed on Saturday and Sundays. Real estate agent Rich Murray said he would like to see them allowed on Fridays.
"Then it allows more exposure. So as people come home on a Friday evening, or if they're out running errands, it gives them that exposure," he said.
If agents put up too many open house signs, Cary staff takes them down. The agents could also face fines.
Cary council member Julie Robinson said the real estate agents' concerns are valid.
"I think it's a very fair question in an economy like this," she said.
The rule's intent, according to Robinson, is to reduce sign clutter. The council is asking staff to come up with some alternatives. Their ideas will be presented in the next couple months.
"We're open to looking at things, you know. Every once in a while, policies need to be amended and adopted," Robinson said.
Current market data shows Cary homes sell the fastest in the Triangle with an average of 55 days on the market. Raleigh houses take around 80 days to sell. Homes in Durham take more than 100 days, on average.
Cary business owners complained to the town in May about sign restrictions placed on them as well.
- Reporter: Renee Chou
- Photographer: Greg Hutchinson
- Web Editor: Kelly Hinchcliffe
Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area! I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home! For more information regarding Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:
- Leesa Finley - Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
- Circa Properties - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....
I would love to have the current rules for my county.. here in Gwinnett County GA ( Duluth,Lawrenceville,Suwanee, Dacula and other cities) We are not allowed any directional signs or any kind at any time open house or fore sale or anything, By law we can only have the traditional
for sale sign in the yard.
anything else is breaking the law
WOW - and I thought WE were strict! Must make it hard.
Leesa: some areas of my county can be tough.The signs have to be no more then a certain size and placed at certain spots.I agree with you that it is a problem when we are restricted.Maybe craiglist would help. I have to say three is often not enough. Specially to get rid of some of these short sales! Its good business for the city to help us facilitate all this. 4 sounds much better.
Leesa - Our local commissioners just last month at their meeting realized the slow housing sales and had relaxed our open house sign laws.
I wonder what they would say if they had there own home for sale? I did not realize how restrictive some areas were.
This is the result of far too many agents placing way too many signs and creating roadside overload. We have that here and some agents get crazy with the amount of signs they place for a listing. But temporary signs for open house directions are often needed and removed at the end of the open and that should be fine IMHO. There needs to be a balance but limiting open houses to two a year is crazy!
Hi Leesa,
Wow, talk about your strict rules! Thankfully, we don't have thoses ordinances here.
Hi Leesa,
I have heard of these rules before. Kind of crazy. I actually lived in an area where you could not put Real Estate yard signs up, period! By the way, I like your new photo.
Llyod - It is difficult when you are in a large subdivision and you just don't have the option of directing people to the home. I have seen some pretty outrageous signs before so I understand the rules but wow - just a little looser, please.
Robert - that is really good to hear! Signs are so critical for exposure!!!!!
Leesa
This is a real problem in Oconomowoc; they have actually taken open house signs and on top of it I get fined.
Terry - Trust me - it gets very frustrating. What's worse is the home seller that yells at YOU for not "advertising" properly.
Paddy - I know, right? I agree that there were some agents that just went psycho with signs but don't punish the rest of us for it.
Tony - You are very lucky! Hopefully everyone there is responsible too!
Cindy - You're kidding? That's ridiculous! (and thanks!)
Tom - I feel your pain! Getting fined was not a high point but they are just a little too strict here. IMO