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.