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Real Estate -
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Paul Langpaul.langmadisondiocese.orgChair, Diocesan Building Commission
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Damian Lenshekdamian.lenshekmadisondiocese.orgBuilding & Construction Assistant
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Process Outline
- Buying and selling parish real estate requires authorization from the bishop. The process outlined here applies to non-sacred real estate such as vacant land, school buildings, offices, and rectories; selling churches or other sacred places follows a different procedure and requires special attention.
- The first step is usually to present the rationale for the sale to the Bishop's Leadership Team (BLT). This step typically occurs after the possible sale has been discreetly discussed by the relevant bodies at the parish level but before the property is listed for sale. Often, an appraisal of fair market value is conducted to inform the presentation to the BLT.
- If the BLT offers its preliminary support, and an appraisal has not been conducted yet, ask a real estate professional to determine the fair market value of the property and submit that determination to the Building Commission assistant ([email protected]).
- Typically, the next step is to present the case for sale to the College of Consultors and the Diocesan Finance Council, whose consent is usually required for the sale of real property. They will advise the bishop regarding any conditions that they would put on the transaction, such as “no offer below market value may be accepted” or similar. The building commission can assist in scheduling these meetings.
- Some transactions will require restrictive use covenants (e.g., a Catholic morality clause for commercial real estate adjacent to the Church). Those should be included in the offer paperwork and not negotiated afterwards. Inform your real estate professional of this early in the process.
- The bishop could then grant the pastor authority to buy or sell real estate.
- Prior to acceptance, the offer must be reviewed by the Diocesan Building Commission.
- After acceptance, all closing documents must be given to Catholic Mutual and to the Diocesan Building Commission promptly following the sale.