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Updated over 7 years ago on . Most recent reply

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922
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Jim Goebel
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Des Moines, IA
533
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922
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Extremely Petty Neigbor during Renovation - what to do?!

Jim Goebel
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Des Moines, IA
Posted

So, wow.

A neighbor next door, let's call her Jewel-EE - seems to be on a mission of sorts.  That mission so far as I can tell is to be as silly and petty as she possibly can be during the process of us renovating the house.  Most of the items so far have been related to property line disputes, and a 'stay the F off my property' was muttered (from her). This is after in good faith early in the project I've offered use of my bucket truck, and free tree trimming, among other things.  Now I feel like threats are more apt after some of her behavior.

In addition to needlessly 'chatting up' my workers, she seems to be obsessed with things of little consequence such as limbs falling slightly on her property line during the process of us doing tree work.  In all but one occasion the actual consequences of these actions have resulted in slim to no actual effects.  

Today when bringing up the fact that the renovation of the 5 year vacant adjacent property (our project) was increasing her property value by north of $10,000, that was met with a predictable 'Don't act like you are doing us any favors!'.

I am of the opinion that this Jewel-EE has some sort of a complex that has resulted from growing up with a silver spoon in her mouth coupled with the realization at some point that her silver spoon in her mouth has no ability to help her deal with actual reality.

Has anyone dealt with busy-body neighbors during a rehab?  How do I properly ignore and tune her out (or is this the right thing to do)?  I'm seriously considering trimming a tree on our property just on our side (limbs encroaching our house) and leaving the rest of the limbs that are encroaching on hers simply to signal that we don't HAVE to help her and I'm feeling awfully... unfriendly right now.

Most Popular Reply

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Mike Cumbie
  • REALTOR®
  • Brockport, NY
4,459
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3,316
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Mike Cumbie
  • REALTOR®
  • Brockport, NY
ModeratorReplied

@Jim Goebel,

I'm going to be a bit harsher than some. My suggestion is to stay off her property and keep your work off her property. If one of those limbs fell on one of your guys while on her property she could be held liable. I know you feel you are doing her great favors but in reality let her do her thing and you do yours. Stop encroaching on her land and she won't have much to complain about. Instruct your guys that if she comes to the property line they can say "HI" but that you are not paying them to chat with her. If she does grab one then yell over "Hey John, I told you to get that header replaced upstairs, That needs to be done now". Disengage from her every time. If she comes on the property let her know it is a work site and your insurance does not cover her so she has to step back over.

Good Luck

  • Mike Cumbie

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