buying land with good neighbors... how?

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We are going to scout out an area we are thinking of buying land in. Question: How do we avoid buying land that has horrible neighbors? Dont get me wrong; we tend to get along with neighbors very well. But some people you just cant get along with, no matter how hard you try. How does one become apprised of such a situation before signing a contract for a place?

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), February 19, 2002

Answers

Go to the door of the oldest active farmer around. They'll know everyone around them and likely talk your ear off. :)

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), February 19, 2002.

Hmmm. My place is adjaccent to horrible neighbors, but a fast growing hedge and just ignoring the idiots generally works, though the rumor mill is always a factor I despise. Most of the other folks around realize that they are shoddy people who like to draw attention to themselves by bashing others, and most every one has been at the bad end of that rumor mill, so they tend to also ignore em. Good luck- these people I had high hopes for, they had horses and chickens, but really turned into dopes. The best way I guess is to go chat. If one thing strikes you as odd, in their demeanor, then expect that to become 10 fold. Im all for high dense hedges, though=)

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), February 19, 2002.

Lady, Just go up late Saturday morning and introduce yourself as possible new neighbors. Kinda look around/pay attention while you are there. Ask about the other neighbors. Hope this helps. Hemmy

-- Cap'n Hemorrhoid (CozInCowtown@aol.com), February 19, 2002.

Ken, knows what kind`a neighbors I have to live with. :P Sure wish I could snap my fingers ,, and poof,, they are gone!

I would see if the people selling the land you are interested in, would let you pitch a tent for three nights. Say,, Friday, Sat & Sunday. That will let you know what kind of Nieghbors you will have.

I wish you the Best of Luck ! ! !

-- Bergere (autumnhaus@aol.com), February 19, 2002.


Daffodyllady, Thats easy, Be a good neighbor.

-- Gary in Ohio (gws@columbus.rr.com), February 19, 2002.


You could buy enough land so you don't have to worry about neighbors!

-- George (wycowboy2@yahoo.com), February 19, 2002.

Well, DL, One of the things at the top of my "must have" list when we went shopping for a place to retire was "no neighbors closer than 1/2 mile". We did fudge on that a bit. I insisted that I didn't want to be close enough to be bothered by "their" dog barking and they wouldn't be bothered by mine! And the first thing we did was have this place fenced! No problems then with any loose dogs or stock coming to visit. LOL Actually our neighbors are about 4/10 of a mile away. We were incredibly lucky in that the closest neighbor is a contractor and the next one down installs septic tanks, clears brush and is an engineer and all are wonderful people. I think you have to do your best, protect your property by fencing, give yourself some land between and cross your fingers. Good Luck, LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 19, 2002.

I'm not sure there's a simple solution. I'm sure most of our neighbors think well of us but at least one who threatened to shoot me thinks otherwise. Most of the folks around here help each other but there's always the odd one.

Asking people may not provide any info since some folks aren't going to talk to strangers especially if they're viewed as outsiders. I would look long and hard at the adjoining properties especially if anything such as a road is shared.

If hunting is big in the area you need to find out what the customs are. If you block someone from hunting on the land who's been doing that prior to you buying it, there may be hard feelings.

You need to find out about any existing right of ways. The legal ones are on file but probaly won't show up in the title search or on the deed.

You need to ask the current owner about any existing verbal agreements. A lot of times folks ask permission to do something and it's never written down even though the arrangement goes on for decades. Although you're not bound by a verbal agreement except potentially in certain instances, any change on your part can affect a relationship.

Often a change can stir things up so that a good neighbor is no longer the same. Most folks are willing to live and let live until you do something that affects them even if you don't know it. How attuned are you to the culture of the area you're looking at?

You might consider talking to the local police or sheriff and find out if any of your potential neighbors have previously required law enforcement TLC or spent quality time in a facility at taxpayer expense. Do you want to move next to a family with a history of domestic violence or drinking requiring the police to visit during early morning hours?

Sometimes just reading back issues of the local newspapers will provide insight. Have you considered subscribing to the local newspaper before you move to the area? When you're in the area, stop into the newspaper office if it's a small local one and talk to them. I'd bet they'd be willing to share some info especially since you're the subscriber from out of town. They'll be glad to meet you.

If by chance you can find a small store, service station or post office where someone is talkative, let them talk and ease a few questions into the conversation.

Keep in mind when you're talking to folks that when you get into rural areas lots of folks are related and your questions can spread quickly via gossip. Just asking questions can get you branded as nosey. Be discrete.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), February 19, 2002.


Even if you buy a place with "good neighbors" there are no gaurantees that they wont move and you get the nieghbor from hell. Been there.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), February 19, 2002.

Speaking from experience: The best answers from the responses are in this order: 1. Buy more land than you need. This provides a buffer zone for your projects. Setbacks laws with regards to livestock and buildings can make that 5 acre parcel very small. 2. Good fences make good neighbors. If there is not a property line fence existing then budget one into the cost of the property. Be prepared to own more land on paper than the local customs will allow you to fence. Existing property line fences usually overide deeds. 3. Check on the zoning of all the adjoining property. Don't believe what any seller says including the listing agent. If the property next to yours is zoned residential then you will be limited in what you can do. 4. The law enforcement folks WILL BE OF NO HELP. Does not matter that the nieghbor is a felon. They won't tell you this. Go down to the local swimming pool and talk with other parents. Try the local gas station early in the morning during the week. 5. Assume that everyone WILL NOT like you changing the view/access of your property. 6. Remember you are into this for the long term. That horrible neighbor is just a temporary annoance in the road. Ignore them and they will go away. The whole town was happy to see him go.

Best of luck. cjn

-- ChrisN (chrisnass@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.



Have an affair with his wife or daughter in your trailer

-- jeff man (Jeffbm41@aol.com), February 19, 2002.

Buying land is a BIG commitment. If you think you've found the right area, then it may well be worth renting there for a while, getting to know the area, becoming "not a stranger", and then waiting for a GREAT opportunity to jump into your lap. Alternatively, once you're in an area, you can manufacture an opportunity - say advertise "wanted to buy" 100 acres of someone's back land that they don't really use, but with phone and power running past.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), February 19, 2002.

Some states (like CA), have a "nuisance" question on disclosure forms, where you could note things like noise, etc. However, even with people just talking, you might (and they also) could be on the bad end of a defamation lawsuit.

What is bad to you might be normal for your area (for example lots of junk cars on a property), and the more rural you are, the less that people seem to care about things like blight, for instance (in my experience). To me, if people want to have a junkyard, fine, but it shouldn't be visible either from the public roads, or any of your neighbors' yards, so either a screening fence (not plain old barbed wire or corral fencing) or wall would be in order.

Of course, there is the old saying, "if you can see your neighbors, they're too darned close." lol

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), February 19, 2002.


Our first farm had neighbors that were very messy and kept everything they ever owned all over their place. When we first castrated our pigs, we made a real mess and called the neighbor over for help. Since then he became our best friend and one you could rely on in time of trouble. You're right; be a good neighbor!

-- Hank (hsnrs@att.net), February 19, 2002.

Lots of ground between he and thee. Our closest neighbor is 2.5 miles away and we only have 8.9 acres, but lots of farm land between us that is leased by a very friendly farmer.

-- Marie in Central WA (Mamafila@aol.com), February 19, 2002.


I liked what Darren and Chris N had to say.

I'll only add that we bought in 98 and had great neighbors (all related). The parents moved first (to the closest city/hospital due to new health problems.) So then the sone (next closest neighbor) moved to town (his wife was tired of being "out in the country" so they moved 3 miles to town of 800 - I never did "get it"!!!)

So, you see, you might have the best neighbors one day and all new neighbors the next!

PS: We ended up with the BEST neighbors at the closest place (1/2 mile) and the people at the son's old place we never see - they are "quiet neighbors".

-- Elizabeth (hemsley@hdo.net), February 23, 2002.


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