Buying 40 Acres- being surveyed- keep neighbors happy

[Flatheadyoungin]

I know I've beat a dead horse on this but we are getting closer to owning 40 acres.

I've watched the property line disputes in the other threads and I'd really like to avoid that.

I'm paying asking price for this land but the seller has agreed to pay for suveying- which I'm sure is VERY expensive...the tree lines are grown and I couldn't find a survey all the way back to 1834 or so.

This pc. of land is surrounded by others. I know most of the neighbors fairly well- or at least friend of a friend type thing. I work with one lady. This property is litterally another guy's back yard and my driveway is pretty close to a widow's house. And, she uses the driveway to make her's loop around. She keeps it cut and mowed in turn for use of about 60' of driveway. This was a verbal agreement between she and the owner that has it now (they've been doing this for years). I don't mind this agreement as long as she or the next person doesn't try to claim it for their own.

So, what I'm asking, is should I politely go talk to a couple of these neighbors so there is no "shock" that this property sold and that some of their habbits (hunting, ATV riding) is about to change. I don't care that they do it. I just don't want a surveyor to go out there and place some temp and permanent markers, only to have someone pull them out of the ground and throw them on my land. I know people "think" they know where the line is and "I've known the line was there for 50 years." Most people will think, "Well, that's just HIS surveyor and he'll pay them to make it say what he wants."

How much extra should I offer to pay to have some permanent pins put in? I know they'll put some but I want to make sure this is settled for me, my kids and their kids. I know that things come up, but 20 years from now, when some of the neighbors change and were not there to see the actual survey, I'd like to be able to dig just a little and say, "There it is." See where I'm coming from?

Any other advice?

I've been keeping this whole deal a secret (yeah, the internet is a secret! ) from those around the property. I didn't want anyone else to slide ahead of me. I'm preapproved for the loan, the bank is just waiting on the survey. I'm still hesitant to go introduce myself to some of the ones I don't know. But, then again, I'd like to let them know that there will be little flags up soon.

 

[mjarrels]

We had 40 acres surveyed a few years ago (no trees) for about $1200.00.

mark

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

this is a 40 acre square and the property/fence lines are GROWN up pretty thick (100 year old trees, briars, etc).......it's about 20 acres of woods and 20 acres of field....

it has a .5 acre square bump on the side of it that connects to a 30' wide road that connects to the highway........the .5 acre bump was kept because the guy before me was going to put a road in to it and turn it in to a subdivision........


my lines are off but you get the idea...

We had 40 acres surveyed a few years ago (no trees) for about $1200.00.

mark

 

[Wayne County Hose]

You are actually in a pretty good position. Seems like you have some good neighbors. Just be a nice guy and do the right thing. If relations go sour, make sure it's the other guy that made it that way.

You may have some neighbors that have been doing things for years and now consider it a right. If someone moved in next to me, and I was doing something on the former owners property, the first thing I would do is approach new neighbor, very, VERY politely explain the old (no longer existant) verbal agreement, and ask if he had any issue with it. And there would be no hard feelings if not. Some people forget, it's not their property. If there is an issue with their old habits continuing without your approval, no trespassing signs would be in order. Around here, almost everyone puts them up. Not to be mean, but to protect themselves.

Just do the right thing, be friendly, and at the end of the day, all should work out okay.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Do not worry about notifying your neighbors. They will find out soon enough. If they are going to be the type to pull your pins and toss them then introducing yourself first is not going to make any difference.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

Good point, I don't forsee a problem.......my property is what creates privacy for many of them, if they are smart, they should keep me happy

And, when I aquire, they'll notice not changes......just me putting a road in....it'll be several years before we break ground........

Do not worry about notifying your neighbors. They will find out soon enough. If they are going to be the type to pull your pins and toss them then introducing yourself first is not going to make any difference.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

I'm pretty layed back (most think they are, huh?)..

Grandpa always said, "Kill 'em with kindness..." and "It doesn't cost you anything to be nice to a person."

You are actually in a pretty good position. Seems like you have some good neighbors. Just be a nice guy and do the right thing. If relations go sour, make sure it's the other guy that made it that way.

You may have some neighbors that have been doing things for years and now consider it a right. If someone moved in next to me, and I was doing something on the former owners property, the first thing I would do is approach new neighbor, very, VERY politely explain the old (no longer existant) verbal agreement, and ask if he had any issue with it. And there would be no hard feelings if not. Some people forget, it's not their property. If there is an issue with their old habits continuing without your approval, no trespassing signs would be in order. Around here, almost everyone puts them up. Not to be mean, but to protect themselves.

Just do the right thing, be friendly, and at the end of the day, all should work out okay.

 

[Bill Barrett]

Good luck, I bought 47 acres, I had to survey the property, 1200.00 bucks.
Neighbor says tough crap, he dosen't care what the survey says, he's been farming 3' X 1/2 mile of my land for years, and is his by adverse possession.
I'll be interested on how you make out.

 

[jwaynejtx]

Good fences make good neighbors.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

you mean he took you to court and exercised adverse possession, and won?

or, he's just doing it and you haven't legally or physically tried to stop him?

Good luck, I bought 47 acres, I had to survey the property, 1200.00 bucks.
Neighbor says tough crap, he doesnt care what the survey says, he's been farming 3' X 1/2 mile of my land for years, and is his by adverse possession.
I'll be interested on how you make out.