Adding to our property - good idea? What to do with it?

[GrannyCarol]

I just learned our neighbor (we live in a very small rural town) is looking to buy a nicer place and sell her place next to ours. She has about an acre, we have about 2/3 of an acre. The worn out mobile home is slated for removal, so it would just be the land with water/power/sewer. Much of her land runs right behind ours, we will seriously consider buying just to keep our privacy - she rarely does anything in her yard. Most of it is covered with dry weeds, our area is semi-desert with about 20" of precip a year.

So, I'm asking for ideas - should be get this land (assuming its reasonably priced)? As it is, we find our place quite a lot of work to keep up, though we keep it watered, weeded, mowed, planted in trees and gardens. We will probably want to downsize in 3 - 5 years and move closer to our grandchildren. I think having the extra land (which will allow some livestock) will make our place more salable. We'd have to find some way to keep the weeds down, but don't want to pay city water to irrigate 2 large places, its expensive.

Secondly, would there be some small livestock that wouldn't be expensive to maintain that might keep the weeds down. Hay isn't a real problem to obtain here, but even here its pricey. Is there livestock that would eat the weeds in the spring (along with their hay, of course), stay in a reasonable fence and not require tons of time and work? We already have ducks on our place and we've had horses and a goat in the past. We'd consider a pony, goats, sheep, who knows? I just don't know what would work best, give me some thoughts!

Also, is there a ground cover that we could plant that would be drought tolerant, easy care and help to control weeds?

I'm just brainstorming ideas, we haven't decided on anything yet and the neighbor hasn't put her place up for sale yet either!

[COWS]

I have had very little experience with goats or sheep, but they would probably keep down the weeds. It tales a good woven wire fence to keep them in. You would need to make the fence coyote proof and dog proof in case the neighborhood dogs decide they like goats or sheep. Don't laugh, I've seen it happen.

KEH

[GrannyCarol]

So far neighborhood dogs haven't been a problem, they haven't even tried to bother our ducks. However, I am aware of the possibility, going to improve our duck fence soon, as there are new dogs in town.

[Maura]

Almost two acres is nice. You could have sheep. Use portable electric fencing to keep sheep in and predators out. With portable, you can rotate the sheep around, which would be better for your area. Sheep prefer weeds over grass, so they'd probably like what is there. Just find out what you have growing. Buy 2 January born lambs in May or June and butcher them after Thanksgiving.

Would the additional land increase the value overall? It might, especially if there are other perks.

[GrannyCarol]

Honestly, this town is slowly dying. I don't think adding land will increase what I'd get for the place as much as it would make it easier to sell and protect my privacy.

The "weeds" are, at this time, totally dry noxious weeds. If we do buy, it's going to be a bit of work keeping them mowed next summer, hoping something like a couple of sheep might help that. Would sheep eat weeds more than goats? There is spotted knapweed, skeleten weed and Koshia for sure. If we don't get livestock, we might clean it out for a year and then plant native grasses to compete, something that looks ok and won't have the weed board on us.

It's fenced with hog wire atm, to keep their old lazy large dogs in. The fence is new, but not even straight and not on the property line. I could add some hot wire to that and be pretty secure. Like I said, the local dogs and coyotes haven't bothered our ducks, though they are secure in 6' chain link kennels at night. Their day time fence is pretty puny.

[Maura]

Sheep and goats will both eat weeds, but sheep are easier to contain. I don't know anything about your weeds, they may be fine for sheep. As long as they have enough to eat, they won't eat poisonous plants. That being said, they will sometimes nibble on something "bad", then leave it alone. Normally they are eating an antiparasitic plant.

[jwal10]

Without a real use for the land and having to keep it up, it is only worth what you feel the extra privacy is worth and what the lot is worth at the time of sale. IF the city will let you sell as separate lots at that time. Do not let them make 1 tax lot out of the 2. You say it has sewer, not septic? Would you have to pay sewer even if it is not used. Many cities do charge because their loan has to be paid and they need the money....James

[GrannyCarol]

Good point James. I checked the appraisal on the counties website - it is already be taxed as two (not including ours), though it is really several lots on the platt. That's one concern, she could sell the back half behind our house and someone could build there. I would lose my nice open view of the fields, trees (in the distance) and railroad bridge and have someone looking in my back windows. I'm hoping we can avoid garbage and sewer, though I'll want water there. Our town is pretty accommodating, but not very rich.

[Michael W. Smith]

If the property is reasonably priced, BUY IT!!! (Have you not read the horror stories of "the new neighbor from h#ll just moved in"?)

If you let the place sell to someone else - you have NO CONTROL over what they do. Play loud music, neighbors who collect "scrap" but never sell it so you now get to look at the new junk yard everytime you go outside - or look out your window, tune up their engines at 10:00 P.M., have dogs that are mean and attack your animals (or you), . . . . . . . . and the list goes on and on.

If you can buy it, do it. This prevents someone you don't know from moving in and doing who knows what to the area. You buy it, and this just creates more of a "privacy zone" around your own place.

I've seen time and time again where a neighboring property comes up for sale, the next door neighbor doesn't want to bother owning more property, but then when someone does buy it they moan and complain about everything the new neighbor is doing.

If you can afford it, buy it. Will it help you be able to sell in the future? Well, it depends on what kind of new neighbor buys it if you don't. (How well will your property sell, if the new neighbor collects junk cars, or decides to raise pigs?)

I don't know what to tell you about the weed problem. You have already had a goat - so you know they aren't easy to contain. Is it possible to buy a larger mower so it doesn't take so long to mow it? Can you get away with mowing it every so often vs every single time you mow yours? Do you have a high grass / weed ordinance in your area?

[texican]

Imagine all the good things that can happen if you don't buy it... you could *theoretically* get the bestest neighbor and friend in the entire world. Or, more realistically, having broken a cardinal rule (thou shalt always buy adjoining property or regret it later), end up with *insert your vision of the neighbor from Hades here*.

Actually, I can't think of too many good things that could come from not buying adjoining land... the possibility of obtaining neighbors who are averse to your lifestyle are greater than obtaining good neighbors...

[GrannyCarol]

I don't have a goat, though I would consider getting one.

We have plenty of land for our needs, but the neighbor's trailor is quite close to our house on the north side. Our current neighbor isn't buddy buddy, but neither is she home much and isn't a lot of bother. Her pit bull is a little iffy, but she is good at keeping him in and he's old and decripit. Having neighbor dogs encourages our young Collie to bark more, having busy or noisy neighbors would be a bad thing when she is out. We've been fortunate for years as to our neighbors. When we moved in, we had some trouble though, its good to remember those years.

Because this town is going downhill, the quality of the people moving in is generally (though certainly not all of them) less than the older people moving out or passing away. The land and houses are cheap, for years the State was moving welfare people in, don't see that so much anymore.

I'm very glad we had a large down payment on our house, we shouldn't end up in the hole when/if we sell. We knew at the time that it wouldn't be worth what we paid for it, but that it would be worth it to us to have the house we wanted to live in. At the time we thought we'd stay indefinitely, but I see a day (couple of years) where we'll want to leave and be closer to our kids and grandkids and have a smaller place. There's just nothing here, no amenities any more, no stores, no bank, no post office, no restaurant. We have a lot of stuff - a large house, a large garage, a shed and stacks of useful junk (neatly piled in the back out of site). Plan is to get ready to move within a year, so we'll be ready whenever. Declutter, dejunk, downsize here. Otherwise it'll be overwhelming. My husband is a teacher, so for now he has a job. He's near to retirement age.

I don't expect the land next door to be expensive, a few thousand probably. The county says the building lots are worth about $1100, I'm sure there's value in the hookups for a house, too. We probably spent as much putting in a new deck this summer as that place should cost us. However, that's not to say she won't think its worth more and that someone would pay it. I guess we'll find out. First she has to find a place she likes in town and buy it. I hope she gets a great deal.

[Michael W. Smith]

Well said, texican!!

GrannyCarol, would it be best to let your neighbor know that you have heard she may be moving, and if she ever does sell, you would like first chance?

I see two scenarios for this.

1. Asking your neighbor to have you as first buyer let's your neighbor know it won't be a problem for her to sell.

2. Asking your neighbor to have you as first buyer makes your neighbor think you will pay anything to get more land.

If you do let the neighbor know you may be interested, you should put in your sentence somewhere "Provided it's a fair price."

Good luck.

[GrannyCarol]

That's pretty much what I had in mind, once we are more sure we want to deal with the added cost and responsibility. Having that buffer zone sure sounds good to me though! (And my husband). We can express an interest, that won't tie us down.

I learned about this from her sister in law, who said she told my neighbor that it's only right to offer to us first (thanks to my friend there!). I suspect that it would be worthwhile to contact the neighbor directly, she's pretty reserved and might find it hard to approach us (she doesn't like dealing with anyone all that much). She's far from the neighbor from hell, but not my bestest friend ever either.

Oh, I rather like Texican's cardinal rule too!

[texican]

Originally Posted by Michael W. Smith

Well said, texican!!

GrannyCarol, would it be best to let your neighbor know that you have heard she may be moving, and if she ever does sell, you would like first chance?

I see two scenarios for this.

1. Asking your neighbor to have you as first buyer let's your neighbor know it won't be a problem for her to sell.

2. Asking your neighbor to have you as first buyer makes your neighbor think you will pay anything to get more land.

If you do let the neighbor know you may be interested, you should put in your sentence somewhere "Provided it's a fair price."

Good luck.

I've conversed in the past with all my neighbors, about if they ever decide to sell, for whatever reason, I'd like the opportunity to buy theirs.

One of the most important tracts, I was able to obtain thissaway... guaranteed me a legal access to my place.

Second most important, I lost out on, by having to negotiate from 4500 miles away... thought we had a 'deal' over the phone, 2nd cousin ended up selling for the same price to someone else... Now I have a bunch of millionaires on the far side of my property...

[d'vash]

If you have the money, buy it. The only options the potential buyers would have to use the property is to park a trailer there, a prefab home or build a new one. With only 2/3 of an acre, your frontage cannot be exceedingly wide and as such waking up to a consutruction zone outside your window would quickly become irritating. As if close-by neighbors aren't irritating enough!

Originally Posted by Michael W. Smith

If you let the place sell to someone else - you have NO CONTROL over what they do. Play loud music, neighbors who collect "scrap" but never sell it so you now get to look at the new junk yard everytime you go outside - or look out your window, tune up their engines at 10:00 P.M., have dogs that are mean and attack your animals (or you), . . . . . . . . and the list goes on and on.

I have that neighbor. I would suggest buying the property if the price is reasonable.

[Mallow]

We are buying 5 acres next to our 10....just to keep anyone else from buying it.

[dlskidmore]

If you're already planning to move out, have you lost much if a bad neighbor moves in? If I had cash on hand, I'd buy it. If I had to borrow I would not take the risk on a property I'm not planning to keep.

[ronbre]

sounds like a great idea esp if you can get it attached to your original deed as part of your homestaed property..that way..taxes will be reasonable on it

[GrannyCarol]

I really appreciate the thoughts and ideas. I realized that I am needlessly worrying about this. I will let my husband decide, he's not all fussed up about it and will make a good decision. I've shared my thoughts and yours as well with him and I'll just put it all in his hands. If/when this actually comes up, he will sit with God and make a decision, I trust he will consider everything of any importance.

Now I'm off to watch my ebay auctions - I'm buying orchids! yay Then there's a few plants to repot, a kitchen to clean and plenty to do today.

Thanks again! If anyone has more ideas, by all means share them.