A good reason NOT to own a home!

[capella]

:mad: My fence, which I just spent $1,000 installing this summer, is not passing inspection. Why? Hmmm, because it's over the property line apparently. Despite the fact that the surveyor put stakes in where the property line is (was? should be? Who knows!) and we put the fence well inside that line. Despite the fact that the guy behind us also has a fence and we put the fence up to match with his too! We have rigid lots. If his fence is fine, then why isn't mine??? It failed inspection because it's one foot over on one side and 8 inches on the other. Supposedly. :eek: :mad:

I don't know what to do!!! I can't take it down (I don't have the time, inclination, nor resources available to pay someone to do it). Plus it would F@#% up the sprinkler system (also new and at a cost of $2000 bucks!) to move the fence. :googly: I have to get this resolved or I can't sell my house or it mucks it all up anyhow. We might be able to get the neighbors to sign a waiver saying the fence is OK, but the guy next to us just sold his house!! Not sure if anyone has any advice, but I needed to vent!!! Dammit!!!

[paiger81]

Sweetie, that just sucks!!

But look on the bright side, if you do move to Austin or Dallas, I'll be kinda close to you(living in Aggieland, now)!!

[capella]

Yay!! Live close to Paige!! Wooo Hoooo!

Ugh. I'm seriously so sick of working my ass off and never getting anywhere. I put in my all, my 1,000,000,087% every day to make my life better and what do I get? Crap, crap and more crap! I want out of Florida!! I'm so fed up with the pay situation, the crazy property tax code, and this stupid bumpkin town!! Ugh! Goddamn! I am so stressed out it's not even close to funny. :googly:

I'm seriously ready to cry over the stupid fence. We worked so hard to redo the yard and now not only am I not going to see a return on the investment (it's too soon) but I might have to take down $1000 worth of fencing!!! Ahhhhhhh!! I keep trying to tell myself that it's just another life lesson, but seriously I've about had it with life lessons. I just want a nice, quiet, simple life. I want to do my job and come home. I want a family. I want a decent standard of living. Not working my tail off 70+ hours a week and getting nowhere for it. :mad: :sad: :frustrate :cry: :mad:

[flesh_gordon]

Is there anyway that it was the original surveyor's fault? Could he have mistaken the property lines?

[capella]

Not sure. I am the homeowner though and I'll be the one to pay for it, not the survey company. I don't know what will come of it yet. I'm going to city hall tomorrow (if I have time after teaching all day and tutoring for an hour in the afternoon). I might have caught this crap a lot sooner if my job didn't eat my personal life. The permit expires on Nov. 5 so it has to be resolved by Nov. 5 or we could get slapped with fines and/or ordered to take the fence down. My next home MUST have a nice, complete, landscaped, fenced in yard. I am NOT doing this again. Ever. Ever, ever, ever.

[MollyMe]

I've heard that happening, but I never thought it was a big problem. People just lived with the fence where it was. When my parents' neighbor redid their fence, they moved it over a bit because the original fence was on our property.
I hope it works out.

[Xander]

If the surveyors said you were okay, they are liable for screwing you over. They did not do their job and have imposed unnecessary costs on you. Do you have any lawyer friends? If I were you, I'd call up my alderman and explain the situation.

Either they rezone you for that land, or the surveyor is in deep shit.

[SmilesSoSweet]

If the surveyor was the one that originally stake the border of where the fence would be, they should be responsible to replace it or make the needed adjustments.

Was the surveyor at the inspection? Did the inspection follow all guidelines? Also is there anyway you can get a plat (plan) of you lot to make sure that where the inspector thinks the property line is compared to where the surveyor staked it?

It could be that the inspector had one set of plans and the surveyor had another.

I work in the building industry so I know a little about property lines and who's responsible for revisions if something doesn't pass inspection. I'm sure a few of the civil engineers on here may have some advice as well.

[SunDevil]

If the surveyors said you were okay, they are liable for screwing you over. They did not do their job and have imposed unnecessary costs on you. Do you have any lawyer friends? If I were you, I'd call up my alderman and explain the situation.

Either they rezone you for that land, or the surveyor is in deep shit.

That sounds like how it should happen. Being 1 foot off and 8 inches off seems like a lot.

[capella]

The survey plat has the same dimensions as the inspector has (now that I looked at it again). However, when we put the fence in we went by the survey stakes and where the neighbor's fence is, not the survey plat. I mistakingly assumed that the survey stakes were placed in the right spot. Silly me for thinking the stakes would be on the property line.

I should have measured from my house out and checked the stakes. I don't understand how the stakes were so far off, but they were. I also don't understand how my property lines are about a foot more inside than my neighbor's when we have property lots on rigid rectangular grids. The only thing I can think is that the neighbor behind us has his fence off the property line too.

I hope my neighbors can just sign a waiver or something saying that they don't care the fence is there. It's just aggravating!!!

[winneythepooh7]

Stuff like this seems completely ridiculous and I am so glad I don't own a home. Good luck!

[capella]

Message from the city hall people. There is no waiver. Move the fence.

Fucking bullshit. I'm not moving that damn fence. Screw them!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

[BlueEyedFunOne]

the survey company

This may be a dumb question, but can you get another survey company to do a 2nd opinion? Or does it not work like that?

[capella]

The neighbor who is selling his house is getting his yard surveyed next week. I'm going to wait and see what comes of that. I am not ripping that damn fence out of the ground!!! If neither neighbor cares and it's 12 INCHES off then who cares!!!! Stupid red tape bullshit!! We should have just put it up and foregone the damn permit anyhow. Our neighbor behind us never got a permit to put up his fence. You try and follow the rules and just end up getting screwed. Who the F cares about 12 inches on one side and 8 inches on another! We're talking about a little more than ONE foot of space here!!! Ridiculous!

[SunDevil]

So the city wants you to have a gap in between your fence and the neighbors fence? That doesn't sound right.

(and it is 1 foot multiplied by the length, which might be 70 or 100 square feet that whoever lives next to you is paying taxes on, but is inside your fence.)

I still don't understand why the survey stakes were in the wrong place...?

[capella]

So the city wants you to have a gap in between your fence and the neighbors fence? That doesn't sound right.

(and it is 1 foot multiplied by the length, which might be 70 or 100 square feet that whoever lives next to you is paying taxes on, but is inside your fence.)

I still don't understand why the survey stakes were in the wrong place...?
I realize it's one foot by about 65 feet. But my neighbor actually laughed when I told him. He couldn't care less. Neither neighbor cares at all. The guy behind us has a fence, my neighbors on either side don't. If anything I did them a favor because they can put up a fence on 2 sides of the yard instead of three.

I have no idea why the survey stakes were in the wrong place. They put the stakes in where the neighbor behind us has his fence posts. Obviously his fence is over the property line too. But the lot next to him is wooded and not developed (yes, I know that's strange, but that is the podunkness I'm wanting to get away from) and the other side has his own fence.

I looked into it and there is such a thing as an agreed boundary or lot line agreement, but I can't find any specifics out about my city. I am going to write up a letter and have both sets of neighbors sign it and take it to city hall.

I am wondering... If the neighbors applied for the permit instead of me and I paid for it would that solve the issue? Each neighbor would have to go to city hall and pay twice the fee (30 bucks times 2 for each side) because the work has already been completed. But technically the fence is on their property and technically if the permit were in their name the city couldn't say bupkis about it. Right?

My grandmother told me to go and bug city hall to waive it since nobody cares but some paper pusher in the zoning department. Or to call my local elected representative and see if they could get it waived. This is so silly. I know that technically it is in the wrong place, but it's off so slightly and I am sure I am not the first person to put a fence in the wrong place.

[capella]

So after having to pay someone $500 to move the stupid fence... the neighbor's survey was done and
















The stakes were in the right place!!!! What the hell!!! Ugh. :mad: I hate this stupid town!

[winneythepooh7]

So after having to pay someone $500 to move the stupid fence... the neighbor's survey was done and
















The stakes were in the right place!!!! What the hell!!! Ugh. :mad: I hate this stupid town!


Oh my! That fuckin' sucks. Is there anything you can do to get your $$$ back?

[capella]

Oh my! That fuckin' sucks. Is there anything you can do to get your $$$ back?
Nope. But the fence is damn sure on my property now. I can't wait to get the hell out of here. Grrrr....

[winneythepooh7]

Nope. But the fence is damn sure on my property now. I can't wait to get the hell out of here. Grrrr....

When are you planning on putting your house up for sale?

[capella]

When are you planning on putting your house up for sale?
Next week :) On the 27th. *crosses fingers*

[pisces2473]

Next week :) On the 27th. *crosses fingers*
That's my godson's birthday. A very good day! Good luck.

Where will you live if it sells? You still have to finish out the school year, right?

[capella]

That's my godson's birthday. A very good day! Good luck.

Where will you live if it sells? You still have to finish out the school year, right?
Heh, that's a good question. We'll probably have to rent a house around here until the summer. I am hoping that it sells in May exactly! But we will figure it out when the time comes.

I would totally freak out if I thought about the timing and all the other unknowns. There are houses to rent around here that would cost us the same as we pay for mortgage so it wouldn't be that big of a deal. It would majorly suck ass to have to move twice in such a short amount of time. We're planning on getting rid of just about all our furniture and I bet we'd only unpack what we'd need for a few months.

What I'm really afraid of is it selling in, say, April or something. We'd only be renting a month or two and it would be too early to bail out and go to Texas. If it sold early in May, we could probably leave the last few weeks and they'd just have to get a sub. I'm just going to wait and see. It would be worse if it didn't sell and we had to leave for TX. :eek:

[winneythepooh7]

Heh, that's a good question. We'll probably have to rent a house around here until the summer. I am hoping that it sells in May exactly! But we will figure it out when the time comes.

I would totally freak out if I thought about the timing and all the other unknowns. There are houses to rent around here that would cost us the same as we pay for mortgage so it wouldn't be that big of a deal. It would majorly suck ass to have to move twice in such a short amount of time. We're planning on getting rid of just about all our furniture and I bet we'd only unpack what we'd need for a few months.

What I'm really afraid of is it selling in, say, April or something. We'd only be renting a month or two and it would be too early to bail out and go to Texas. If it sold early in May, we could probably leave the last few weeks and they'd just have to get a sub. I'm just going to wait and see. It would be worse if it didn't sell and we had to leave for TX. :eek:

How's the market where you live currently? Is it in an area where you expect it to sell right away (or at least by the time you hope?).

[capella]

How's the market where you live currently? Is it in an area where you expect it to sell right away (or at least by the time you hope?).
My realtor said between 4 and 6 months. Properties are selling around here, but it's not fast. And there are a lot of homes for sale. However, I'd be putting it on the market for below 200K and it's a very nice, newly updated, brand new yard and fence deal. I've seen the competing houses and mine is much nicer than most of those.

I'm going to put it on the market for 195,000 and we'll see what we get. I can't drop it too much below that, which is kinda scary. The market still has plenty of buyers..... it's just that there is plenty enough around to be choosy.

[winneythepooh7]

My realtor said between 4 and 6 months. Properties are selling around here, but it's not fast. And there are a lot of homes for sale. However, I'd be putting it on the market for below 200K and it's a very nice, newly updated, brand new yard and fence deal. I've seen the competing houses and mine is much nicer than most of those.

I'm going to put it on the market for 195,000 and we'll see what we get. I can't drop it too much below that, which is kinda scary. The market still has plenty of buyers..... it's just that there is plenty enough around to be choosy.

Damn! I wish houses were that "cheap" around here. My fiance and I were looking at some listings today and the part of our city we DON'T want to live in (old beach bungalows right on top of each other, no yards, no parking, and not close to public transportation) are between $385 and the low $400s. It's ridiculous! Good luck with your sell though!!!

[capella]

Damn! I wish houses were that "cheap" around here. My fiance and I were looking at some listings today and the part of our city we DON'T want to live in (old beach bungalows right on top of each other, no yards, no parking, and not close to public transportation) are between $385 and the low $400s. It's ridiculous! Good luck with your sell though!!!
*sigh* If we lived where we wanted to live around here it would be 250-300K. We couldn't even afford to buy our house at the price we're trying to sell it for. :rolleyes:

I will say that it's one of the few towns around here (and that's 45 minutes away from the city with no traffic) that has houses at that price still. I'm hoping that will draw some families who can't afford to live closer to the city to our neighborhood.

[pisces2473]

Amy, does your husband already have a job in DFW?

[capella]

Amy, does your husband already have a job in DFW?
Nope. Neither of us do. I have an interview lined up for March. I'm not concerned about not finding teaching jobs there. It would be virtually impossible.

[pisces2473]

Wow...I can't imagine what it's like to have that kind of job/career security...

[capella]

Wow...I can't imagine what it's like to have that kind of job/career security...
It's sort of like retail. It's so crappy that there is enough turnover that you can find a job just about anywhere. There are few places in the country where there's a glut of teachers. Most places have positions available. Especially at the middle school level. No one wants to teach middle school.

[weary]

capella,

best of luck w/ the sale of your home and impending move. i just wanted to suggest to you that you think about trying to do a 'rent-back' (may be called something diff where you are) if you wind up selling earlier than you want. i've seen several folks do this when they've solder faster than they anticipated and needed a little extra time to move. depending on the buyer, it may work for you.

basically, say you get an offer in jan and they want to close in feb. you ask them if you can still close in feb like they want, but you stay in the house and rent it from the new owners until may, and then move out/they move in june1. they're not losing anything b/c you're paying the rent/mortgage while you're there. if you get a family like you're hoping, it may work well if they have kids and don't want to disrupt their school year either. or whatever the reason...it doesn't hurt to ask. you'd be surprised how many people would be open to it.

[capella]

capella,

best of luck w/ the sale of your home and impending move. i just wanted to suggest to you that you think about trying to do a 'rent-back' (may be called something diff where you are) if you wind up selling earlier than you want. i've seen several folks do this when they've solder faster than they anticipated and needed a little extra time to move. depending on the buyer, it may work for you.

basically, say you get an offer in jan and they want to close in feb. you ask them if you can still close in feb like they want, but you stay in the house and rent it from the new owners until may, and then move out/they move in june1. they're not losing anything b/c you're paying the rent/mortgage while you're there. if you get a family like you're hoping, it may work well if they have kids and don't want to disrupt their school year either. or whatever the reason...it doesn't hurt to ask. you'd be surprised how many people would be open to it.
Yeah, we've thought about that. I just don't want to scare off any potential buyers. We'll probably ask if that's how it goes down. Otherwise we'll just have to figure it out from there.