Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Feb 28, 2008, at 2:42 PM, paxamicus AT earthlink.net wrote:

> What does this mean in the context of a real estate advert?

Usually it means that the Realtor's eating habits may be dangerous to  
your nostrils.

> That
> there's some kind of gas easement over the property? How hideous is
> this? How dangerous?

There ain't no free lunch. There is an old homestead saying, "Never  
look a gift goat in the mouth."
> I've never heard of it till now but I am starting to poke around
> various real estate markets and I'm seeing it over and over again. It
> seems to be a West Virginia/Tenn thing, mostly.

Have you considered calling one of the advertisers and asking them  
what they mean? Sending them an e-mail? No, you just figure hey, I'll  
ask the homestead list, that group of superior people knows  
everything. That is, of course, only slightly short of the truth.
> Can you educate a furriner?

Please to be givin' us a break on that one. How long you been here?

Okay, here's my take. The "gas" is most likely natural gas. It is  
likely that some company owns the mineral rights under the property.  
The company may or may not be currently taking the gas out of the  
ground for commercial purposes. It is most likely that the company  
contracted with the owner of record for a sale or lease price of the  
mineral rights that includes payment in the form of free household  
usage gas if the company in fact has a pipeline within service  
distance to the house.

That's my guess and I am sticking to it but I am expecting you will  
correct it after you ask one of the Realtors.

Natural gas is lighter than air. It is only dangerous if it leaks in a  
confined place and there are nearby ignition sources. Explosions are  
rare as the gas-air mix must be within certain ratios.

If I were considering a property that did not include mineral rights I  
would look at the recorded documents relating to the minerals. The  
rights could include access to drill or well locations that would  
conflict with one's enjoyment of the property.