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Today's humorous email

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(@james-fleming)
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"In addition to the final condo plats, the Title Company is requesting an update to the ALTA that recognizes the new condominium. To the extent that is ultimately required, we wanted to get an idea from you what cost (if any) there would be to make that minor update to the ALTA you prepared for the recent closing"

Q: Why can attorneys swim without fear of attack in shark infested waters?
A: Professional courtesy

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 6:23 am
(@nate-the-surveyor)
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Well, since you were so polite to ask, I have heard that XYZ surveying, (just down the street from me) will perform such services for $ 200.00. You might want to give them a call. Here's their number: 867-5309

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 6:30 am
(@mitchptd)
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Draw it on in crayon and send it back, With a sun an a man walking a dog would be a nice touch.

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 6:30 am
(@tommy-young)
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I'm guessing the condo had not been built at the time of your survey?

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 6:35 am
(@mark-mayer)
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Tommy Young, post: 403784, member: 703 wrote: I'm guessing the condo had not been built at the time of your survey?

And that "recent" means 2 years ago?

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 6:38 am
(@james-fleming)
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Tommy Young, post: 403784, member: 703 wrote: I'm guessing the condo had not been built at the time of your survey?

It's currently multiple buildings on a single parcel with a parking lot between them. Each building will be a unit and the parking area will be expandable area within the condominium regime. A new residential building is being designed for the parking lot and the units around two existing buildings will be amended to further divided them into commercial condominium units. The DC condo law can be used as sort of an end-run around the subdivision process.

The site improvements haven't changed (as far as I know), but the original lot is now "subdivided" in three dimensions. It's not that much work, just the idea that someone wants me to revise a survey on a $50M property for free that kind of rubs me the wrong way.

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 6:50 am
(@mark-mayer)
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An ALTA on a condominium is uncharted territory for me. I can imagine it, but it seems like a multi-sheet affair, at least.

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 6:58 am
(@james-fleming)
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Mark Mayer, post: 403790, member: 424 wrote: An ALTA on a condominium is uncharted territory for me. I can imagine it, but it seems like a multi-sheet affair, at least.

Did an ALTA on this development that is comprised of about 75 "Air Rights Lots"...20 sheets at 30" x 42"

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 7:13 am
(@jim-in-az)
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James Fleming, post: 403789, member: 136 wrote: It's currently multiple buildings on a single parcel with a parking lot between them. Each building will be a unit and the parking area will be expandable area within the condominium regime. A new residential building is being designed for the parking lot and the units around two existing buildings will be amended to further divided them into commercial condominium units. The DC condo law can be used as sort of an end-run around the subdivision process.

The site improvements haven't changed (as far as I know), but the original lot is now "subdivided" in three dimensions. It's not that much work, just the idea that someone wants me to revise a survey on a $50M property for free that kind of rubs me the wrong way.

...(if any)!

In cases like this I have trouble considering that a response is even warranted - much less properly express my response!

And... I don't do "updates" to ALTA Surveys after 30 days from completion.

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 7:25 am
(@tom-adams)
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I wonder how much it cost the client for him to draft that letter.......

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 7:36 am
(@nate-the-surveyor)
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Well, Thank you so much for your inquiry, dated bla bla.
We are a Land Surveying Company, not a Joke factory.
If you would like a serious estimate, please get back to me.
If you were trying to reach a professional humorist, we don't have the time. We are trying to earn a living here.
Thank you,

Wild Bill Surveying

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 7:40 am
(@thebionicman)
Posts: 4438
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I submit one preliminary for review by the client. After I sign the map there is no 'update'. If you want an ALTA from me you will pay for it.

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 7:52 am
(@flga-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2)
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James Fleming, post: 403778, member: 136 wrote: an idea from you what cost (if any) there would be to make that minor update to the ALTA

"No, just a minor charge of 180% of the original price" 😉

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 7:59 am
(@dave-karoly)
Posts: 12001
 

Can the average Land Surveyor afford one of these condos?

The Lawyer used up the funds designated for Survey updates writing memos to the client about why an update is needed, the envelope with the memo included the Lawyer's invoice.

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 8:00 am
(@james-fleming)
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Dave Karoly, post: 403810, member: 94 wrote: Can the average Land Surveyor afford one of these condos?

You've got family out here, you tell me...Connecticut Ave two blocks north of DuPont Circle.

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 8:25 am
(@daniel-ralph)
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My fee for what you described will be X based on what I feel is appropriately marked on the attached Table A. What will your fee be?

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 8:27 am
(@james-fleming)
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Dave Karoly, post: 403810, member: 94 wrote: Can the average Land Surveyor afford one of these condos?

Of all the condos I've worked on recently, I'm holding out for one of these:

https://mcwilliamsballard.com/properties/wardman-tower/

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 8:28 am
(@flga-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2)
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Younger surveyors are sometimes intimidated by aggressive attorneys. I was for about 18 months after I started my business. (Sometimes it takes a while to get hit with a ‰ÛÏbright flash of the obvious‰Û)

Subsequently if I receive a call from an Attorney I treat them just as they treat me. I.e.: You get crappy with me and you will get it right back. There is no such thing as a ‰ÛÏminor revision‰Û in my survey world.

Don‰Ûªt you (Attorney‰Ûªs) charge for revisions to will‰Ûªs, contract‰Ûªs etc.? :imp:

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 8:29 am
(@dave-karoly)
Posts: 12001
 

James Fleming, post: 403814, member: 136 wrote: You've got family out here, you tell me...Connecticut Ave two blocks north of DuPont Circle.

A single family house in my sister's Alexandria neighborhood runs about 7 to 800k. Probably a brick colonial. Condos are about mid 300s. That is better than the SF bay area, similar neighborhoods run over $1 million in most places now.

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 8:29 am
(@deleted-user)
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Dave Karoly, post: 403810, member: 94 wrote: Can the average Land Surveyor afford one of these condos?

Maybe not.
But a CA surveyor could probably flip his home with it's associated Californicated property value and head east to settle.

I was thinking along your lines about James's email. He could reply to
the attorney that if he is not knowledgeable of the process then he could call James to be advised of the process. Of course, this call would be billed to attorney.

 
Posted : December 13, 2016 8:41 am
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