On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 19:48:18 -0400, "J. McLaughlin"
wrote:

Dear Ms. Cathy:
I ran a township zoning board for 18 years. My experience is that real
estate agents (by whatever name) will tell a buyer anything! to make a
sale. Most of the serious problems dealt with by the board came from
buyers believing "their" agents. The agent is not your friend.
[The only honest agents that I encountered were involved with
million dollar sales with several lawyers (on each side) keeping them
honest, and one other agent who became so appalled at the lack of ethics
that she quit.]
A lawyer with experience in real estate is your best defense. Even
so, check and double check. You have been provided with some good
advice.
Consider the long term benefits of a slightly longer commute time.
In Michigan, 10+ A. is a farm and is treated better than a lot. Raising
antennas is best done on a farm.
Good luck. Remember that the agent, as friendly as she or he may
seem, is not working in your interest. Verify.
73 Mac N8TT

You will save yourself a lot of grief by visiting the city or county
planning and zoning (P&Z) office, and or maybe the codes enforcement
office if there is one. Ask them what restrictions are in the
ordinances. Keep in mind that if the neighborhood you are in has
protective covenants, those may be a matter of law (ie the developer
submitted them to the city/county and when his development was
approved, the covenants became part of the zoning or plat). Even if
the covenants are not part of the city/county zoning/code, by signing
the did you may be signing compliance with any restrictions/covenants.
These could amount to a legal contract, and herein is where only an
attorney can tell you how hooked you are and/or what your options are.
Good luck!
73
dt