"You know my land over in Sis-Town?"
"Yes! That thin strip along the road that you bought on the courthouse steps the year we got married."
"Yeah, where the garage door guy built his driveway. NOW he's putting a big sign on my land! It's made out of rock, and it's about half done. I went by city hall to complain, and the guy there said, 'Oh, believe me, we know about that sign, and we're not happy with it. It's not going to get finished.'
He gave me a copy of the lots with their property lines. I went back over there, but the guy wasn't there. I talked to his son. I said, 'You guys are building a sign on my property. Here's the map. Looks like your driveway is on about three different lots.' And he said, 'Huh. Well. Would you want to sell your property?' And I said, 'I might. I've at least got to get back what I've put into it.'
"Heh, heh! What did you spend? Like, $25 or $50 to buy it? When you didn't even know what it looked like, and thought you were getting something good?"
"We have paid the real estate taxes on it for 40 years!"
"We've only been married for 35 years. And those taxes every year are about $1.25 for that piece of land. It may be up to about $6 a year now. Not a lot."
"Well. I'm going to tell him I want $2000 for it. But I'll see what he offers me."
"That would pay for the lawyer and termites and shingle repair for the flips houses."
"Oh. Yeah."
I sure hope Hick wasn't planning to pocket this money as his!
By, golly. Hick better not get that idea in his head. It must be a relief to know that powers that be are aware of this. Let me know what happens.
ReplyDeleteOver the years, each time he's seen them add something that encroaches on "his land," Hick has said he's going down there to tell them it's his property. This is the first time he's actually done it. I would imagine those owners have been looking up the property lines this week! And possibly consulting their attorney to see what their rights and options are.
DeleteHmm, sounds like the young lad is a bit of a smart ass! Take 'em to court, I say. Sue, sue, sue!
ReplyDeleteI think he was just surprised to hear about the property lines, and didn't know how to respond at that moment. I imagine the owner will want to settle with Hick and be done with it, rather than going to court. Especially since there are a couple of other land owners they have also expanded over.
DeleteI hadn't thought about that money until I read your final sentence, make sure you get your share if he sells the land.
ReplyDeleteIt's just our regular household money, since that's how we paid the taxes on it every year. As with our original 10 acres we live on, it was purchased by both of us, right before we got married. Both names on the title.
DeleteLet us know if the man makes an offer on your land that you will accept. He sure can't put up his sign on it.
ReplyDeleteHick doesn't seem like this is urgent business, so I don't know how fast things will progress. Hick already said the city is planning to stop the sign construction. I will definitely give an update if anything happens.
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