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

[FreshTressa]

He is the kind of guy that whatever I do, he will try to escalate it.

I either need to sell with the sign there or cut them and list with a realtor.

Even the lawyers I spoke with agreed.

 

[momm2four]

I like the idea of the really tall privacy fence. It might be cheaper than $5000. It would be a selling point with the house and would block out his "free speech".

Lori P.

 

[grlpwrd]

I know the city you're in and I know in the Eastside Journal (or was it the Seattle Times?) there was coverage about clearcutting in residential areas.

I like the fence idea, but, of course, time is of the essence. Whatever you do please don't be bullied... and yes, thank goodness you're moving!

 

[momrek06]

.

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?
?

We are in MA and we just put up 166 feet, 8 foot privacy stockade fence all along the back of our yard/property line = $7000.00.

Yup, a little pricey BUT well worth it. We love it. Helps not only with privacy BUT noise as well.

GOOD LUCK, OP.

 

[Florida_Mom]

He is the kind of guy that whatever I do, he will try to escalate it.

I either need to sell with the sign there or cut them and list with a realtor.

What about sell with the sign and cut them OR list with a realtor? I just really think you'll have a better chance of moving the house quickly with a realtor working with you behind the scenes on MLS.

I think your first sentence makes an important point. If you cut the trees, he's going to escalate it, anyway, trying to get you to do more.

 

[DWDreams]

Ok, I see your concern about needing to sell ASAP since you have another home scheduled to be ready. You're right that suits take time so I can see where you want to just get the trees out to shut him up.

If I were you at this point, I'd do the following:

A. document the sign by dated picture every day from now until it's removed.

B. Save all the paperwork from the lost sale.

C. Send certified letter: The letter should spell out his actions and the fact they are causing you financial loss that will continue to unless he stops. Make it clear that you plan to proceed with the cutting down of these trees but only because his unwillinginess to stop forces you to protect your financial interests. Document in the letter that you've never had any desire to remove these trees but his terroristic tactics to force you to do so will now cost you $5,000, which you feel he should be paying as it's his wish to have them removed. Confirm that you've given him prior authority to remove the trees on his own, confirm that you've offered to pay half as a compromise, and finally also confirm that although you are currently planning to have the trees removed to end his campaign, you will most assuredly be filing for recoupment of any costs you've incurred to remove the trees and any losses you've sustained as a result of his unwarranted demand.

If you must, go ahead. But I'd do everything in my power to try to make the freak pay. I guess I'm just vindictive like that!


ETA: I am in no way an expert on these matters, so still seek atty advice!

 

[disneymom3]

I am confused. I thought you said that you could not remove the trees due to city ordinance?

I am also wondering how listing with a Realtor would help with dealing with the kook?

 

[mickeysgal]

What a nutcase.

Call a landscaper and get them to give you an estimate/design on a stategically located berm that would entirely block this neighbor's house. Did you ever see those huge straight spruce-like bushes that people use to line property lines or surround hot tubs for privacy? Talk to a landscaper about installing these. They look like a wall of bushes when spaced closely enough. Get as as mature (tall) as could be found. Got to be cheaper than a fence and most likely taller.

I wouldn't want to buy a house that has been stripped of it's mature landscaping. I think you'll be doing yourself more harm than good, plus you run the risk of losing the contract you have when the buyers see how you've altered your property.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Record a deed restriction on your property with your county that the trees never be taken down. that will fix the kook. Tell him his sign being up gave you the idea and thank him for his support.

Did you ever see those huge straight spruce-like bushes that people use to line property lines or surround hot tubs for privacy?

Do you mean Junipers?

 

[mickeysgal]

Another thing, I would stop talking to this guy. You're giving him control when you do this and you can't be sure that he will now start twisting what you're saying and point a harrassment finger at YOU. You do not have to talk to him. Plant tall spruces (prior post) and forget about him.

 

[Florida_Mom]

I am confused. I thought you said that you could not remove the trees due to city ordinance?

I am also wondering how listing with a Realtor would help with dealing with the kook?

Because realtors can list it on MLS, which the neighbor would not have access to, most likely. This way the seller could take her sign down, and tell the neighbor that she is staying. Also, realtors can do other advertising that the seller might not want to do because of cost (the realtor assumes this cost because he/she is getting the commission in the end).

There are some services that will let you list on MLS for a flat fee, but the problem is (I think) that other realtors would not have an incentive to show clients the house because they would not be getting half the commission. Now, if the seller wants to offer an incentive to the buyer's agent to show clients their house, that might work.

The whole idea is to do as much as possible behind the scenes without letting the neighbor know.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Listing won't help. That will just have me out the 26k in realtor fees. I have spoken with several realtors already.

I have a guy waiting in the wings to list the house if the FSBO does not go through and he has been full of advice an has been very helpful through all this so I am not going it absolutely alone. We will be paying him a flat fee to do our paperwork.

I don't think paying 26k to list the house will solve my neighbor problem....the police say he has the right to have the sign there under free speech laws.

WOA!!! 26k!!! you Must be selling a million dollar home!!!! Realtors around here dont make that kind of $ unless it is a million.......

 

[Florida_Mom]

WOA!!! 26k!!! you Must be selling a million dollar home!!!! Realtors around here dont make that kind of $ unless it is a million.......

That's about 6% (typical commission in my area) of $450,000...so yeah, those commissions do add up. And I'm not great in math, so if that's wrong, please let me know!!!

 

[luvmyfam444]

I agree w/pp about putting up trellis,fence, or anything to block the view....chances are if he moves the sign your other neighbors will have to look @ it & they'll complain....

 

[luvmyfam444]

That's about 6% (typical commission in my area) of $450,000...so yeah, those commissions do add up. And I'm not great in math, so if that's wrong, please let me know!!!

AHHHH---don't live in ahouse that costs thar much! one in that price range would be brandnew gofcourse or near the water or 3000 +sq ft...mine is ionly 1200.....

 

[tw1nsmom]

Record a deed restriction on your property with your county that the trees never be taken down. that will fix the kook. Tell him his sign being up gave you the idea and thank him for his support.



Do you mean Junipers?

Arborvitae...they can grow 6 feet or more in a year. They get up to 50 feet, or more, tall depending on the type. If the OP does cut down the current trees, she could plant a line of these so that new owners would see that there would be full grown trees fairly soon.

 

[disneymom3]

Because realtors can list it on MLS, which the neighbor would not have access to, most likely. This way the seller could take her sign down, and tell the neighbor that she is staying. Also, realtors can do other advertising that the seller might not want to do because of cost (the realtor assumes this cost because he/she is getting the commission in the end).

There are some services that will let you list on MLS for a flat fee, but the problem is (I think) that other realtors would not have an incentive to show clients the house because they would not be getting half the commission. Now, if the seller wants to offer an incentive to the buyer's agent to show clients their house, that might work.

The whole idea is to do as much as possible behind the scenes without letting the neighbor know.

Yep, I get that whole Realtor thing as I actually am a Realtor. I just couldn't figure out how that would help. I hadn't read the idea of not putting up a sign. Many of those cheap listing agencies do actually pay a commission to the buyer's realtor. They have a flat listing fee, but then the buyer's commission is often on top of that. (Except in some areas like CA where they just offer the buyers agent a specific amount--which is often not very much.)

All I know is I would not be cutting down those trees and I would be calling the police about harrassment.

 

[FreshTressa]

Yay! House is sold despite sign!!!!!

The joy of living in a 'hot' market!!

 

[tiff13]

Congrats!!!

 

[jonestavern]

Yay! House is sold despite sign!!!!!

The joy of living in a 'hot' market!!

Jean & Christopher