Real estate questions

[Jenn]

Issues: What value do I lose/gain if I change a rectangular (about 2x1) 3 acre corner lot with a streetside area somewhat suitable for building (but will need a lot of fill for a gulley there) into

-a trapezoidal lot with about half the street edge; I'd make sure of at least one decent street side building spot

-a goofy L shaped area with 2/3 of my old rectangle and 1/3 farther from street of his rectangle, giving up the corner bit

If I did a straight swap half and half I'd lose the definite streetside building site and have only a swampy area you might need a bridge across to a locked in dry spot back between his house, my backyard, and the other neighbor's backyard.

Back story:

My previously trespassing (ATV) neighbor came over and was incredibly charming (but still under the influence of alcohol). I knew he had it in him; he has 4 kids and at least 2 wives so he isn't always a grumpy mean drunk. He really wants to be able to ATV on a bit of our land next to his house so they can watch the kids while at their pool instead of have them ATVing out of sight on their land but closer to my place, and to have the muddy gulley on my land which they tore up a bit deeper when they assumed it was on their leased lot. He also wants to know definite property lines before doing any more tree clearing to make a better track for their ATVs on his place.

For the moment he's just renting to own his lot and house from the guy I bought my house and lot from, and I bought the 3 acre lot from that guy that's on the corner between our two lots.

I'm absolutely unwilling to give them permission to ATV on our property. Any jury faced with his kid- neck broken on my property and needing medical care for life- will award the kid my homeowner's policy and life savings despite any signed waivers.

I'd always wanted to enlarge our rectangular lot instead of have this goofy L shape we have now with the second lot, but I have to preserve resale value of the other lot against the chance we need to sell it to someone who doesn't value the buzzards and the swamp and our privacy so much but wants to build on it. We supposedly have a 3 acre lot size requiremetn so I won't be giving him a new building lot with any trade (unless he razes his current house).

[texican]

I'd not do any swapping, if you're keepin the same neighbor. I'd see about buying him out (as long as you don't have other neighbors you'd also have to deal with), finding him a 'better place', and 'move' him there (with better atv possibilities).

Of course, I said what "I'd do". Otherwise, your just rearranging deck chairs on the titanic. [I abhor neighbors, and detest ATV's]

good luck!