The neighbors are trying to prevent me from selling my house!!!(blackmail/extortion?)

[rayelias]

Maybe some logic and reason will work (if you can get them to listen for 2 minutes)...

"Listen, you obviously don't like me as a neighbor. The longer you have the sign up, the longer I'm going to be here. I am not going to cut the trees down. If you continue to hamper my ability to sell the house, I will plant one tree for every week you do so. It is in your best interest to help me sell this house if you want the trees down. You have 0% chance with me. You have infinately better odds with a new neighbor. Your choice. I will be planting the new tree next Friday and will continue every Friday while you continue your efforts."

 

[VSL]

I would not back down for the reasons listed here (he may threaten you about other things, less interest from buyers, etc).

 

[jcsbama]

this morning we were going to run an open house and we come to find the neighbors put a sign in their yard telling people not to buy the house because of the trees. They don't like how the trees dump leaves on their property every fall and want them gone.

I have several questions. What is the exact wording of the sign? How old is your neighbor? Is it just one person living there or is it a family? Is their house has nice as yours? How is the upkeep on their yard? How big are these trees he complaining about and how much is the overlap in his yard?

I'm just trying to find logistics for this nonsense. Does the neighbor make any legitimate requests? What will cutting down the trees solve? He's not some pervert that likes to watch people and he's just mad because the trees block the view is he?

 

[PlutoPony]

Maybe some logic and reason will work (if you can get them to listen for 2 minutes)...

"Listen, you obviously don't like me as a neighbor. The longer you have the sign up, the longer I'm going to be here. I am not going to cut the trees down. If you continue to hamper my ability to sell the house, I will plant one tree for every week you do so. It is in your best interest to help me sell this house if you want the trees down. You have 0% chance with me. You have infinately better odds with a new neighbor. Your choice. I will be planting the new tree next Friday and will continue every Friday while you continue your efforts."

This is VERY good... only I'd make it 2 trees/week and buy the first ones now and set them out where they'd be sure to see them. Give all your other (good) neighbors the same speil and enlist their help also - this whole situation hurts their home value also. You may even have to plant the first week or so worth (this can't be a bluff on your part) to convince them that your selling is the lesser of two evils....
GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Firedog]

Allright... I typically don't come out of lurking mode too often, but I can see you need some serious help.

For $237 (plus travel expenses and meals, maybe some beer) I can take care of "the problem". If anyone asks, you never saw this post.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I saw the photo of your house and it looks so pretty with the trees. Just because your neighbor doesn't want to rake leaves is not a good reason to get rid of them. If he doesn't want trees in the neighborhood, then maybe he should move.

Could you please send me a link to the house photo. I would love to see the house and trees.

 

[chell]

 

[FreshTressa]

All the houses in the neighborhood have lots of mature trees.

 

[budbeerlady]

Allright... I typically don't come out of lurking mode too often, but I can see you need some serious help.

For $237 (plus travel expenses and meals, maybe some beer) I can take care of "the problem". If anyone asks, you never saw this post.

Are you in the "tree" removal business?????

 

[ceiligh1]

I am so sorry you are going through all of this. I hope it gets worked out soon. Since the redmond code says you have to replace any tree over 6in in diameter that you cut you could always tell him if forced you will replace them with very messy trees (apple, cherry, plum ect.). I hope he moves on to another cause soon.

 

[beckmrk04]

Maybe some logic and reason will work (if you can get them to listen for 2 minutes)...

"Listen, you obviously don't like me as a neighbor. The longer you have the sign up, the longer I'm going to be here. I am not going to cut the trees down. If you continue to hamper my ability to sell the house, I will plant one tree for every week you do so. It is in your best interest to help me sell this house if you want the trees down. You have 0% chance with me. You have infinately better odds with a new neighbor. Your choice. I will be planting the new tree next Friday and will continue every Friday while you continue your efforts."

I was thinking this! NO WAY would I let that crazy neighbor win- in fact, he'd be SOOOOOO glad to get rid of me by the end of it!

 

[jennyl772003]

Wind chimes. It won't help sell the house, but I say put wind chimes on EVERY SINGLE BRANCH.

He just "thinks" he hates the trees now...

 

[momx3boys]

Wow, how awful that your neighbor is that way. Good luck!! Your house is really cute.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Tressa, do not cave into this man. I promise you, if you do this nutjob will find something else that upsets him and strongarm you on that too.

Please, file the civil suit. I know a court case would be months away but just having him served might be what it takes to get him to stop.

Is there any way you can block the view from your house to his house? You said he's your neighbor behind you, right? Can you put up a 6ft privacy fence along the back of your yard to block him? You could make it really nice looking with wall planters and ivy and it may even help the value of your house (all while hiding this nutcase)

Have you told the department of the city that would fine you for cutting down the trees that this man is trying to strong arm you INTO BREAKING THE LAW? I would think there has got to be something you can do legally because how can someone MAKE you break the law?

 

[JustHolly]

Thank GOD you're moving!

I'm not sure if anyone else has suggested this.... but what would happen if the sign were to suddenly "disappear" at 3am?

If you are confronted, you can sweetly say, "I don't know what you're talking about!" (just make sure that wherever the sign blows away to, it's not on your property).

 

[hdecker]

Coming out of lurking stage for a minute. I don't know how big your town is, but if there is an ordinance, I'd be calling the local tv station and telling them about this nutcase. Let him tell his side on the news and see how many city officials come to your aid. This is great human interest stuff.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Coming out of lurking stage for a minute. I don't know how big your town is, but if there is an ordinance, I'd be calling the local tv station and telling them about this nutcase. Let him tell his side on the news and see how many city officials come to your aid. This is great human interest stuff.

That isn't a bad suggestion. I would ignore it for a bit, try selling and just pretend he isn't there. If it really is hurting you (more then one person) then call the news. Here it is "Ruth to the rescue". Most people who agree that a person who is just lazy and wants you to cut down trees isn't going to look good in that light.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I thought the news thing was a good idea at first to, but the more I think about it, the more it might hurt. If they broadcast that this guy is a looney tune on the news, sure, you might get him to take down the sign but then everyone watching that show that might be in the market for a house knows what kind of neighbor they would be up against so you might lose potential sales. I guess it depends on how small your town is.

 

[beckmrk04]

I agree with Obi- no one is going to want to move in next to someone who is crazy. Best to keep that a secret- they'll find out soon enough, I'm sure.

 

[diznygirl]

Put a sign on your property: "Neighbor is a fat lazy idiot."

Tell him you are protected by your first ammendment rights.




Seriously, I hope you can find a solution that does not involve cutting down those beautiful trees.