Even the experienced get burned .

[Matthew Paul]

A builder I know thought he got a smokin deal on 8 lots in an expensive area near me .  Its an old subdivision so he had to merge 8 lots into 4 . He paid $ 60 thousand for the lots . Which is a great price .  Now the road is on the plat , but not built and it is a private road . So he has to extend road 200 ft , no big deal . The new houses would sell for $ 475,000 .  He got waivers for being near wetlands , and a stream , has all the trees marked that stay . had everything staked out .   

BIG PROBLEM , the neighbor walks over to him and tells him again he cant build on the lots .  The builder tells the neighbor everything has passed the county , he is just waiting for final approval .   The neighbor tells him , " and it isnt going to happen , BECAUSE this is a private road , you only have egress to your property . BUT the county wont allow their utilities on a private road UNLESS the property owners on either side of the road  deed that portion to the county . And unfortunatly for you , I own the properties on both sides and I wont sign off ." And he had the request from the county in his hand . 

The builder says " I will sue you for an easement " 

The neighbor says , " i knew you would say that , here read these "   And handed him the last 2 suits that were filed by builders who bought the lots in the past ." I won the last 2 , save your money " 

The smokin deal turns into a big bust . When the lots were subdivided was in the early 1900's , it was well and septic at that time no one even thought of a utility easement for water and sewer closest utilities were 20 miles away at that time All there was was an road right of way . The neighbor loves his privacy , he doesnt have to buy the lots and pay the taxes , he controls them at no cost to him . 

1 minor oversight cost the builder the purchace price of $ 60 K , another $ 12 k in engineering  and the ongoing property taxes untill  the neighbor dies or can be persuaded to change his mind on the easement . 

[Dawn Anastasi]

Until he can find the next sucker to buy them just like someone saw him as a sucker and thought he would get a "smokin' deal".