How to find what real estate agent was involved in a sale

I'm curious what sort of benefit the association would get from knowing this.

What Cathy said.

You could also try - asking the buyer?????

In that case, perhaps David's association should consider posting something on the community website like a "what realtors should know about our community" that could provide an overview of the community and advise the realtor to talk to their clients on what to ask the seller before they buy, noting it's the SELLER's responsibility to make that information available.

In another conversation, I also suggested creating some sort of checklist for people selling their homes so they'd know what information they should provide the buyer (in some states disclosing information on assessments, rules, etc., is the seller's responsibility). If the realtors contact the property manager, I think it's fair to charge printing and postage costs for that information - who pays it is between the realtor, buyer, and seller.

That is interesting information - thanks. I assume you are the Board President?

When I was treasurer, the closing company would always contact me for a written update of the dues (how much, paid through, etc.).

When I told them, I also requested a copy of the closing disclosure (replaced the HUD-1).
I specified that this was so we had the correct name and mailing address of the new owner which helped if they were not residing on the property. Every closing company provided the info.

On this document, you have the name of the listing agency and the buyers agency and the initial mortgage company.

That said, I'm not sure why you would need the contact info of the buyers agent.
Can you elaborate why you believe you need that info?

If the association is required to give disclosure paperwork (copies of governing docs, etc.) for the sale, I would include a cover letter specifying that requirement of the governing docs and how to arrange a meeting.

The hard truth no matter how much you don't like it is that CC&R's/Articles of Incorporation are PUBLIC documents. Some states do require seller to bring the documents to the table. Otherwise it is looked at as the "buyer right to be informed" to get PUBLIC document. It is NOT the HOA, the Realtors, Title company, lawyers, or Bank responsibility. The HOA MAY provide the By-laws or ACC documents as those are HOA documents once you become a member. Otherwise as long as those documents lay filed in a PUBLIC resource, it's your responsibility as a buyer to be informed.

This is WHY these documents are PUBLIC. It is because there is no one in the chain of selling property that wants this responsibility. How many people would stay in their jobs (Realtors, title lawyers, mortgage...) knowing they could be sued for NOT knowing the property selling has an HOA? It's NOT PUBLIC knowledge necessarily when it comes to knowing if the property has restrictions. You can hope you get good Realtor to help guide you to find out. However, Realtors are not created equal or efficient.

So hunting down the Realtor who sold the property? It does nothing to put the blame on. They can just blame their client for not bringing the documents to the table if it was required. They will tell you to go find them. In the end, it will still be your responsibility to get those documents by court house or a neighbor willing to make a copy. The HOA may but can charge for copies.

Max are you legally responsible to do it? What if you don't do it? Do you get sued? Where is it in the HOA documentation ANYWHERE that the HOA is responsible for providing? Where is it written ANYONE beside Seller in SOME states are?

I am NOT responsible for providing ANYONE PUBLIC documents!!! If you are going to buy a property you best go down to the courthouse or online with the STATE to find out if that property is in a HOA/Restricted. There are plenty of Real Estate advertisements that do NOT mention being in a HOA.

Plus what about Foreclosed or Tax/short sale properties where there are no Realtors or other typical parties involved? You go to a courthouse, bid on the property, and it is yours. Where in that process do you get the CC&R's or Articles?

Someone has yet to point out other than those states that require SELLER to bring the documents, where ANYWHERE is it written that anyone is responsible except for the buyer to get a copy??? I am still waiting...

I'm genuinely curious, how do you justify charging $750 for 5 minutes of work? Why in the world would anyone pay this?

Not once did I say it made sense or that did not think should be provided. The facts are what I want or think does not apply. There are no laws that says not providing them makes anyone responsible except in those states that have laws about Seller.

Me, myself, and I would gladly hand over a copy be it as a neighbor or as someone on the board. However, there is no law that says if I did not I would get sued or it forgives ignorance of the rules

Thanks. Hopefully we can convince our board to adopt a similar procedure. I have since found the buyer's agent, through an old listing on a real estate site. The reason I want to find it is that there is an allegation that this agent misrepresented our governing documents. I want to get their side of it.

I do not think you would have a cause of action (meaning lawsuit with any merit) against this agent. Which to me means the Board should stay out of it.

New owner, addressing Board:
"But but... my agent told me (such-and-such) was in the covenants.

Board:
Please take this up with your agent. Your relationship with your agent is not the HOA's business. The HOA is legally obligated to enforce the covenants.

I agree with Augustine. This is not a valid excuse. The Realtor is not even a member of the HOA. Does not have any responsibility to read or provide them. The buyer is at fault for not reading and following them.

Is anyone going to go by what some outsider said about documents they never read? Stay out of it and happy the rules of the HOA.