It is, It isn't or It Could Be

Help me with this, will you? Does it make sense that either it is or it isn't when it comes to physical, and therefore concrete objects?

For instance, if one comments that a road exists on a property either it exists or it doesn't exist. Right? I realize we could argue what constitutes a road or even a dirt road, but it still exists or does not. A trail is not a road, a path is not a road. They are paths and trails. If you name the road and draw it on a map of the property and claim location by this thing you named, then you sure as hell mean that there is an identifying object that is visible to the eye, and to the sense of touch if you bend down to feel it. Main St. is Main St. and you can see it and walk on it (maybe) and if you fall down on it you know it. You could say "I fell down on Main St. yesterday". Everyone who is familiar with Main St. would then know where you fell down and might even ask "where on Main St.?". Simple enough.

How then can land sellers claim that there are 4 roads through a development, name them all and when others go to look for them the roads can't be found? Even the town inspector doesn't know anything about them. Anyway, the eBay land seller stands behind the fact that they exist.

Just to be fair, when describing something like the weather one could utilize some personal liberties. If you're aware that someone loves the snow and cold you could say, regarding a certain location, that even though the January average temperature is 20F and the January average snowfall is 12", that it's colder than 20F and snows more than 12" a lot of years in January. By the same token a warm weather person could be told it's warmer than 20F and snows less than 12" a lot of years in January. This is interpreting the facts to appeal to the listener and it's NOT LYING.

It is LYING when you say something exists and it does not exist. It appears that Internet land transactions are ripe with LIES, misrepresentations, and the deliberate act of leaving out crucial information. The electronic venue for land sales should be halted until it can be regulated properly. Are you listening eBay? Are you listening prospective land buyers?

I would enjoy hearing from those buyers and sellers who see no wrongs in the current system as it exists. The old saying caveat emptor just doesn't seem to fit.

Broken Dreams and Lost Money

Boy, oh boy, can some folks paint a picture of paradise. And describe it too!. Sometimes they even have nice photos of the place. Places like Texas, Arizona, Florida and Nova Scotia have been victimized. I'm sure other locations as well.

Wet lands described as good building lots with ocean views - except in reality it might be protected from development and the only water close by is under your feet and in your shoes.

Desert lands described as lush, and safe and crime free, and ready to be lived on- except there is no access and no chance for utilities. And no one around for miles to commit a crime.

How about being sold on the idea of the properties being part of a development with services and roads. Well, not a road in sight on the property and services have not arrived and the development plan may not even have been registered or approved or legal.

Even the local populations, when asked, find the land unattractive for ownership. These nice folks call many of these properties "garbage land", or say things like: "I want to meet the person who looks at this (land) and thinks it's beautiful".

Well by grossly misrepresenting many of these lands, sellers (many of whom just bought, and have never been to the properties they describe) are able to play on the sentiments of honest buyers with dreams and plans for the future.

There are countless people with broken dreams, damaged self-esteem and lighter wallets. All the while the misrepresentation of property goes on and on. Properties sell to unsuspecting buyers and dreams are shattered.

The world is more connected today than ever before and buyers are able to purchase property half a continent away with the click of a mouse button. Honest sellers can "show" their properties to an audience inaccessible to them a few years ago. If all works well the buyers get what they expected and agreed to and the land broker or real estate agent has made a sale to persons they may have never come in contact with.

Having said that, there are those who hide behind the distance between buyers and properties, hide behind inaccurate descriptions of the condition, location, and specifications of the properties they offer for sale. The same issue of connectivity that allows honest property sellers to make honest property sales, allows questionable sellers the ability to make misrepresented property sales, and to this point in time, seemingly outside the reach of the law, the interest of elected officials, or the policies of large electronic marketplaces.

What a damn shame.