Tag: legal

Walnut Creek allowing cannabis permits

This past November, the City of Walnut Creek allowed people to apply for cannabis permits that are being processed to fill the two delivery-only medical cannabis operation slots to be opened in town. These are commercial business applications, and will bring a new type of business to downtown.

Image result for california marijuana

With the passage of marijuana legislation in the state of California, which legalizes the sale of recreational products, the city of Walnut Creek is now getting involved. Of course, with new laws come new restrictions, and Walnut Creek’s marijuana policy is no different.

On a personal, non-commercial level, the maximum amount of non-medical cannabis plants allowed to be grown per residential unit is six. Selling the cannabis you legally grow is still prohibited (that’s what the permit application process was for!). Additionally, cannabis plants must be locked up, can’t create an odor, and must abide by all electrical and building permits.

It will be interesting to see how this law changes the business landscape in Walnut Creek. I’m guessing it probably won’t be a massive noticeable difference, since marijuana has been a fairly visible part of the California culture for years. But now that it’s legalized, what will the businesses look like? The delivery services? I guess we’ll find out soon!

Never let a buyer take possession before closing

Picture this: the odds and ends of a real estate transaction you’re involved with are taking longer than expected to tie up. Whether it be a miscommunication between the realtors, legal issues, or uncontrollable circumstances, you just want the home to close escrow.

So, you have already moved out and agree to let the buyer move in over the weekend since you will be closing on Monday or Tuesday. Even though the final forms have been signed, you won’t close for a few more days. You figure, “Heck, whats the harm?”

Oops. What if there is a financial or legal issue that crops up? Worst of all, what if the new buyer starts making changes to the home and they – or someone they hire – gets hurt on the property before it is officially theirs? What happens if there is a fire? I know of one situation where the seller allowed the buyers to put their belongings in the garage and there was something flammable and it started a house fire. Do you think those buyers still bought the house?  No, the sale did not close and the seller was left dealing with a mess and no house to sell.

Now that is a heap of trouble, tripped up by a tangle of confusing liability. What you thought was an act of goodwill has just turned the final few steps of the transaction into an absolute nightmare!

Even if this scenario seems unlikely, it is still possible. And that is reason enough to never let a buyer take possession of a property before the closing is completed. Crazier things have happened!

A realtor’s job is to protect the interests of their clients and a good agent will counsel you against having a buyer or their belongings in your property prior to the transfer of title.
If you think you might want to buy or sell in the near future, feel free to reach out to me for an organized, knowledgeable, friendly ally in the real estate process! You can always reach me at my website under the contact tab at www.kristinlanham.com.