Neighbor puts sign up on open house day!

Neighbor puts sign up on open house day!

Contractor · Franklinville, NJ · Member since 2013 · 183 posts · 86 votes

Long story short, neighbors yard is lower than mine and he has been complaining about standing water after torrential downpours. County came out twice and said its not my problem; he has too much pavement and too many downspouts (multiple out buildings) going to one point. I have done everything but pay this mans taxes to appease him. The day of my open house he puts this sign out. Is there any legal recourse for this?

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Investor · Central Valley, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
13y

I know it's not supposed to be funny, but I think that sign is hilarious (and pathetic). If it were me, I tell buyers asking about it that you and the neighbor are really close and that he is really disappointed that you are moving. Tell them that the sign is his idea of humor.

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  • Real Estate Professional · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2012 · 23k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    13y

    Nope.

  • Dawn AnastasiPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    13y

    Wow, this is pretty harsh! Thanks for posting a picture -- this is worth a thousand words right there!

  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    13y

    Seems a bit counter-productive for someone who doesn't get along with you.

    I'm vaguely aware of tortious interference, but I'm not sure this rises to that level. (I'm not an atty, in case you're wondering).

    Hopefully someone else with the right background can jump in with feedback.

  • Louisville, KY · Member since 2013 · 23 posts · 3 votes
    13y

    Rent your house out to a bunch of gangsta drug dealers!

  • Contractor · Franklinville, NJ · Member since 2013 · 183 posts · 86 votes
    13y

    I truly believe this man would like gangsta drug dealers next door so he would have something to complain about!

  • Louisville, KY · Member since 2013 · 23 posts · 3 votes
    13y

    I'd be tempted to mic up a friend or relative, have them knock on his door and act like they're interested in your house. Say that they noticed the sign and didn't want to make a mistake buying a bad house. See what he says.

    It's pretty easy to record the conversation. Just use the Voice Recorder app on an iPhone and clip the phone to your belt. Whether that is legal or not I have no idea.

    Wonder what he hopes to gain by preventing you from selling your house.

  • Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 64 posts · 1 vote
    13y

    He might as well be saying, "I'm a grumpy, crappy neighbor" with that sign. It's not like it specifically warns that your place is bad in any way.

    At least it will mean that whoever buys doesn't care about having a grumpy crappy neighbor. That doesn't help you, though ;)

  • Rehabber · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2011 · 446 posts · 171 votes
    13y

    So, wait. What exactly does he want you to do?

  • Investor · Central Valley, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    13y

    I know it's not supposed to be funny, but I think that sign is hilarious (and pathetic). If it were me, I tell buyers asking about it that you and the neighbor are really close and that he is really disappointed that you are moving. Tell them that the sign is his idea of humor.

  • Flipper · Irvine, CA · Member since 2013 · 349 posts · 45 votes
    13y

    That's genius K. Marie Poe. What a great suggestion.

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Bremerton, WA · Member since 2013 · 494 posts · 142 votes
    13y

    Ahhh, KMP (K. Marie Poe) - That is brilliant and classy! Thanks for the laugh (big smile).

  • Investor · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2013 · 84 posts · 38 votes
    13y
    Or, going along with the comedy idea, put up an even bigger sign saying "Don't buy THAT house!" If you've ever listened to Car Talk on the radio you'll get that one. :)
  • Contractor · Franklinville, NJ · Member since 2013 · 183 posts · 86 votes
    13y

    Glenn Espinosa he wants me to bring in a dozer and cut a swale so that his water will run to the street from his backyard. I had the yard leveled once, he came out complaining so I hired someone to come back and relevel it TO HIS LIKING. He was satisfied so I thought I was done. Anywho, I am parking my 20 ft box trailer in front of the sign so hopefully it will stay covered. Also, my open house signs on the front lawn keep going missing...

  • Investor · New York City Metro area, NY · Member since 2013 · 39 posts · 12 votes
    13y

    Wow :-)

  • Realtor · Celebration, FL · Member since 2013 · 109 posts · 34 votes
    13y

    I would put up a sign in my yard that says "Buy That One Instead" with an arrow pointing to his house.

    Then I would get a bunch of family and friends to knock on his door throughout the day and night and say "Hi, I am here for the open house." ;-)

  • Livonia, MI · Member since 2013 · 35 posts · 2 votes
    13y
    Charlie Hampton put up a privacy fence
  • Rehabber · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2011 · 446 posts · 171 votes
    13y

    Some people just have no common decency. Video tape your front lawn.

  • Contractor · Franklinville, NJ · Member since 2013 · 183 posts · 86 votes
    13y

    Jeff King I dont want to spend the money for the fence only to have him move his sign forward.

  • Lexington, KY · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    13y

    What an a-hole!

  • Homeowner · Longview, TX · Member since 2013 · 131 posts · 17 votes
    13y
    I like the box truck idea, something that obstructs his sign. As for your signs missing, in my area it's against the law to remove signs from yards. Someone suggested videotaping, it's a great idea to catch the "thief", uh I mean neighbor. You can then have a conversation with him about the incident. How about asking if he wants to buy the house.
  • Louisville, KY · Member since 2013 · 23 posts · 3 votes
    13y

    Yeah, catch him on tape removing your signs. Then you have some leverage to convince him to take his sign down and STFU.

  • Investor · Southeast, MI · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    13y

    I think I would have a talk with this guy and if it didn't go well, maybe show him what elbows do to teeth.

    Your other option could be to blast some Wesley Willis music in his direction 24/7 until he removes the sign.

  • Rental Property Investor · Buffalo, MN · Member since 2010 · 511 posts · 92 votes
    13y

    How long have you been neighbors?

    Does he have a family member or friend, someone he's close to that you could talk to about how stupid this is and they could work for you to help resolve this issue.

    Has he done other stupid stuff about issues you to have had in the past?

    Do you know if anybody at the open house has said anything about the sign?

    I think putting your box trailer in the way is a good idea, buyers might not even see it unless he makes the sign bigger, out of sight out of mind.

  • Contractor · Franklinville, NJ · Member since 2013 · 183 posts · 86 votes
    13y

    @Rob K. Im pretty sure he has no teeth anyway so the elbow wouldn't work.

    @Bryan K I haven't lived in the house it was a flip. A very bad eyesore that was vacant for 8 years. Every other neighbor stops daily and praises me while this guy raises hell. When I first bought the house he poured his heart out about how he isn't allowed to see any of his grandkids and his children do not contact him so that idea is out the window as well. I guess I should have known how he was after hearing that information.

  • Investor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2013 · 187 posts · 23 votes
    13y

    I'd have a chat with the sheriff...report a theft, have the deputy come out (when the neighbor is home), make a report, make sure he see's the sign, give a little bit of the story, maybe the deputy has a little talk with him...

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