Well it should list a monthly maintenance fee on the listing to indicate that there is a HOA/Management Company. At which point you can inquire with the management company in obtaining there By-Laws & Rules and Regulations. Your REALTOR should be able to assist you with obtaining that information, however keep in mind, it will cost you in the ballpark of about $50. Deed restrictions may be a little harder to tell from the listing or even an agent. I would recommend contacting the local zoning board to see about deed restrictions with new developments as well as ask the sellers. For example some developments may have something in the deed that doesn't allow homeowners to erect sheds or put up front fencing or even putting up REALTOR signs.

Good luck Jake! Happy New Year

I'm not sure "bugging" is the correct term. I assume you're in the info-gathering stage of your search, so you don't want to hire an agent yet. However, there's not much you can do short of actually buying the restrictions.

If I were you, I'd just email the agent and ask if they could fax or email you the restrictions. If you know someone at a title company, they might also be willing to fax/email that to you.

Hi Jake, I would assume that most new neighborhoods have deed restrictions and home owner associations. If the home is older and in a community ask someone who lives in it or go on line and see if they have informaiton on line. The listing agent will also know if the community has restrictions since if there are they should have gotten a copy from the homeowner. Good luck in your search. When you are ready to buy a home, be sure to interview a few realtors and don't assume that you have to use the realtor that is listing a property you like. It is alright to do that but not imperative. If you want the name of a few realtors in the area I would be happy to help. I don't work in the area but I am very familiar with it. I have family in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. If you can find a first time homebuyer seminar attend one. They are usually helpful.

Some Associations will sell you a "By laws" book, usually from $25.00 to $75.00 each, which once you purchase a place, you would receive free of charge from the seller. Few management companies have their information on their website; try calling management office and see, if they could fax it to you (some are willing to do that (only basic information). Good luck!