lot next door for sale

[Bill Schultz]

I live on an acre lot. It backs up to another lot thats nicely wooded, also about an acre. When I built, the seller was not marketing the lots at all and seemingly wouldnt anytime soon. Well now he is. Its listed at $35,000. The thought of someone building right behind me makes my skin crawl. I couldnt pay near that much though. I was actually gonna send the owner a letter (he is old and out of town) and ask him to consider us if he ever needed to sell it. Well right before I write the letter, a local agent puts up the sign with the remaining lots. Is there anything I could offer this guy that might work? Just throwing ideas out, but maybe a long-term lease with option, an long term option, land contract, ???? And I dont know how the agent plays in it now either. I certainly cant pay $35,000 to add an acre to my property as it would probably only increase the worth of my property slightly but I just cant stand the thought of losing the privacy.

[Jon Holdman]

If you truly can't stand the thought of another house behind you, pay the $35K. As Bill Gulley points out, the "highest and best" use of that lot is for building a house. If you want it to remain vacant, buy it for the value its worth at the highest and best use.

Certainly you could offer the seller an owner financed deal.

That said, not many people building right now, so you aren't likely to get a neighbor right away.