Government bailout hell, how about common sense in truth is selling as like truth in lending.
In California, sellers are required to provide a copy of any covenants and deed restrictions that run with the property to the buyer and the buyer must acknowledge receipt. The buyer has the option at this point to walk away if he doesn't like the conditions placed on the property.
Perhaps you need a similar law in Tennessee.
I've bought and sold several properties in California, and still live here; I have never once ever been provided with a copy of covenants and restrictions in advance of escrow closing. Even at escrow closing, the very hour the deal is done, I've noted the escrow docs have the buyer sign an acknowledgement that he/she has received a copy of all this, but the covenants and restrictions themselves are rarely ever presented. You'd have to stop the escrow closing procedure and demand them; and if they are not readily available, re-schedule the closing for another date.
For me, that has been the absolute "norm." The exception would be to have them provided in advance. I've never actually seen that occur, yet.
