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OK, so it is possible that the following tale was an accident, but I seriously doubt it.
A client of mine is purchasing a home for her children and herself and found a good deal on a bank foreclosure in Western Massachusetts. We have gone through all the hoops and are at the end run hoping to close before the end of the year when we get a call from her attorney telling us that there is a title issue.
It seems that when the survey was done by the bank, it was discovered that the next door neighbor’s driveway and fence is a bit more than three feet onto the property we are trying to purchase.
Well, these things happen, you say (as did I) until we recalled that the driveway and fence in question appear to be brand spanking new.
I am speculating here, but am fairly sure of myself in thinking that these people next door took advantage of the vacant property status to enhance their own property holdings.
My buyer still wants the home, so now we have embarked on an attempt to reach the neighbor to get the proper paperwork signed to protect my buyer from liability, etc.
But seriously, assuming that my guess is right: what gall!
Foreclosure is enough of a problem in your neighborhood without causing easement, title and legal disruptions. Reducing the size of your neighbor’s yard will not increase your property values as their sale is the current comparable for value and if you lower their value you lower your own. If you can’t do the right thing just because it IS, indeed, the right thing, then at least consider your own property values.
