Well, thanx a million for all the inputs. You've given me lots to consider!
As for lawyers...I have a *very* poor view of them and completely disagree w/ the absolute need for one. Catching a greased pig is far easier than getting a real answer from a lawyer no matter who pays him. The high demand for lawyers, I think, is mostly driven by the fact that people refuse to listen/talk to each other anymore or treat each other w/ proper respect. There was a time when not so many lawyers were needed or wanted.
It is too bad that you have a poor view of lawyers. I have a very good friend who is an attorney and I have never had bad advice from him or a real answer either. My wife is a real estate attorney from what I hear her clients seem to think that she gives them real answers every time they talk to her. I personally have never met anyone more honest than her so perhaps you have just had the bad luck of meeting one of the less than scrupulous attorneys that give the others bad names. Perhaps you are right about the reason for the need for attorneys. There are a lot of people who dont want to do the right thing anymore they just want to get something for nothing. The reason I advised an real estate attorney is that a lot of people try to write easements and they work for maybe the original parties. Invariably something changes. One of the parties sell their property but the easement is not what they thought it was because it was written wrong. The new owner sees what it really is and takes advantage of the situation. Obviously it is a mute point since you are not buying the property but it is interesting to see you assasinate the character of an entire group of people. Exactly what do you do for a living.