Post by gerberdaisy on Dec 15, 2014 12:52:34 GMT -5
Our house is located in a bad school district that we wouldn't send our kids too, but we are surrounded by a desirable school district. After talking to some neighbors and then a lawyer, if we could purchase a small portion of the person's property behind us, then we could send our children to that school. The land is a wooded hill that is not usable land for them at all. We've also researched that it would not make their lot size too small to be an issue when they want to sell.
We are disagreeing on how to approach them. I say a letter describing it and then follow up, FI wants to walk up there and talk to them. What would you do? We've never met them, but some googling says they are a couple in their 80's. Also, if we did a letter would you include specifics like price, or wait to see if they are agreeable to the situation at all?
Thanks! this would be awesome if it worked out, would vastly increase our property value and we wouldn't have to pay for private school when the time comes.
Post by charlotteandwilbur on Dec 15, 2014 12:55:50 GMT -5
I would do a letter if you've never met them before. I would feel very put on the spot if a neighbor approached me with this situation and I didn't know them. GL, I hope it works out for you!
You're asking to buy land that isn't for sale. This is going to sound mean but you bought your house full well knowing what district it was in. It isn't up to your neighbors to help you with your situation. If for some reason they want to sell then great but if they don't that's well within their right. "We've also researched that it would not make their lot size too small to be an issue when they want to sell." <--- this isn't up for you to decide. It's their land.
If this is something I would do (which frankly, I wouldn't) I would send a letter. This gives them time to process and think about it without someone in front of them waiting for a reply.
At any rate before moving forward I would do a lot research about residency requirements for schools. Just owning land would NOT be sufficient my distinct. You have to be a resident with utility bills or other proof that YOU actually live in the district.
You're asking to buy land that isn't for sale. This is going to sound mean but you bought your house full well knowing what district it was in. It isn't up to your neighbors to help you with your situation. If for some reason they want to sell then great but if they don't that's well within their right. "We've also researched that it would not make their lot size too small to be an issue when they want to sell." <--- this isn't up for you to decide. It's their land.
If this is something I would do (which frankly, I wouldn't) I would send a letter. This gives them time to process and think about it without someone in front of them waiting for a reply.
Is a private school an option?
Well of course it isn't up to them to help us. And as far as the lot size, I was just referring to the conforming lot size for the county.
Maybe we are overstepping, but talking to neighbors its something that many people have done in the past around us. I figure the worst they can do is say no.
Private school is an option, but they aren't as good as the public schools. If it doesn't work, which is quite possible, we will probably just move sooner and not put as much into the house.
Post by ilikedonuts on Dec 15, 2014 13:07:04 GMT -5
You seriously want to approach people you've never met and ask to buy some of their land that is not for sale? Just so you don't have to send your kids to school in that district even though you bought your house knowing that it was in that district?
Honestly? If I got a letter like that, I'd immediately throw it in the trash. Not my problem.
I definitely do not recommend talking to them and putting an elderly couple you do not know on the spot.
You're asking to buy land that isn't for sale. This is going to sound mean but you bought your house full well knowing what district it was in. It isn't up to your neighbors to help you with your situation. If for some reason they want to sell then great but if they don't that's well within their right. "We've also researched that it would not make their lot size too small to be an issue when they want to sell." <--- this isn't up for you to decide. It's their land.
If this is something I would do (which frankly, I wouldn't) I would send a letter. This gives them time to process and think about it without someone in front of them waiting for a reply.
Is a private school an option?
Well of course it isn't up to them to help us. And as far as the lot size, I was just referring to the conforming lot size for the county.
Maybe we are overstepping, but talking to neighbors its something that many people have done in the past around us. I figure the worst they can do is say no.
Private school is an option, but they aren't as good as the public schools. If it doesn't work, which is quite possible, we will probably just move sooner and not put as much into the house.
Your first post comes across as very entitled. You're right in that the worst they can do is say no. If they do that you have to be okay and not complaining that they wouldn't help you or something.
Sorry but as a land owner myself this all just seems very odd. And FWIW, I wouldn't sell to you (nothing personal). Land is worth a lot of money and is a wonderful investment. It is passed down from generation to generation. DH and I own many acres where he grew up and some is farmed and some isn't, but we wouldn't sell to strangers just because.
Post by Velar Fricative on Dec 15, 2014 13:10:19 GMT -5
I would send my kids to private school or move to the desirable district.
But if you do want to pursue this, I guess a letter would be best. I agree with the pp that asking them in person would be really awkward for them, I bet.
Your first post comes across as very entitled. You're right in that the worst they can do is say no. If they do that you have to be okay and not complaining that they wouldn't help you or something.
Sorry but as a land owner myself this all just seems very odd. And FWIW, I wouldn't sell to you (nothing personal). Land is worth a lot of money and is a wonderful investment. It is passed down from generation to generation. DH and I own many acres where he grew up and some is farmed and some isn't, but we wouldn't sell to strangers just because.
You're taking this personally.
LOTS of people sell land to strangers "just because" there's a financial incentive.
Well of course it isn't up to them to help us. And as far as the lot size, I was just referring to the conforming lot size for the county.
Maybe we are overstepping, but talking to neighbors its something that many people have done in the past around us. I figure the worst they can do is say no.
Private school is an option, but they aren't as good as the public schools. If it doesn't work, which is quite possible, we will probably just move sooner and not put as much into the house.
Your first post comes across as very entitled. You're right in that the worst they can do is say no. If they do that you have to be okay and not complaining that they wouldn't help you or something.
Sorry but as a land owner myself this all just seems very odd. And FWIW, I wouldn't sell to you (nothing personal). Land is worth a lot of money and is a wonderful investment. It is passed down from generation to generation. DH and I own many acres where he grew up and some is farmed and some isn't, but we wouldn't sell to strangers just because.
I guess I don't see how this is sounding entitled at all. I'm sorry that I'm offending you.
We are talking about about 1000 square feet of land, not acres and acres. Its totally within their right to say no and we will accept that, but we are asking to purchase a 100x10 piece of land would extend our property just enough to be in the school district.
And to answer everyone else no applying to be in the other school district is not an option.
Thank you for your opinions. I'll work on drafting a letter.
At our old home there was a vacant lot behind us. A developer bought it and determined that he needed just a tad more land to be able to build two houses versus just one. So he approached us, looking to buy a portion of our lot. Adding that if we didn't sell, he'd just build a duplex and bring down our property value. Sooo. As you can imagine, no we did NOT sell him a single square foot.
We did consult with a friend of ours that's a real estate attorney and the implications were further reaching than you'd think - first our mortgage would have had to approve it and there are costs involved in that type of review. Also, there were a bunch of other legal ramifications to do with the city. What I'm saying is, it's not nearly as simple as you just give them a few grand and then you can do what you like.
Also, this seems like a loophole and even if it's technically legal I personally wouldn't find it appropriate to exploit. I don't know how your schools are funded but if it's by property tax revenue, I find it highly unlikely that those paying higher taxes would find it awesome that others can skirt their way into their schools.
I'd pay for private schools or move if you don't want to send your kids to your slated district.
You may want to check into the district rules for attending. For example, here it's common that you not only have to own land/property in the district your child is attending, but you also need to reside there.
So just owning woods in the ideal district wouldn't be enough to attend.
Well of course it isn't up to them to help us. And as far as the lot size, I was just referring to the conforming lot size for the county.
Maybe we are overstepping, but talking to neighbors its something that many people have done in the past around us. I figure the worst they can do is say no.
Private school is an option, but they aren't as good as the public schools. If it doesn't work, which is quite possible, we will probably just move sooner and not put as much into the house.
Your first post comes across as very entitled. You're right in that the worst they can do is say no. If they do that you have to be okay and not complaining that they wouldn't help you or something.
Sorry but as a land owner myself this all just seems very odd. And FWIW, I wouldn't sell to you (nothing personal). Land is worth a lot of money and is a wonderful investment. It is passed down from generation to generation. DH and I own many acres where he grew up and some is farmed and some isn't, but we wouldn't sell to strangers just because.
Huh? People over on MM have suggested multiple times sending letters to full neighborhoods that they desire to be in looking for people who may be interested in selling. OP has done some research and is now just wondering if the owners are interested. Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. I don't see where she is coming across as entitled. And FWIW, we have some additional wooded property that we could part with a piece and would love to make the money off of it. I don't care if I have 1.8 or 2.0 acres if the difference makes me $20k (just throwing out an example). The $20k would go a lot further for my family than the 10 trees I can't even see from my house.
THANK YOU. I can't say how I'd approach it because I wouldn't, period. I'd either go the private school route or move if the public schools in my district of residence are that bad.
Huh, I'm surprised people are offended by this. Don't realtors often send out letters to property owners in desirable neighborhoods letting them know that there is an interested buyer if they are interested in selling? I see this as a similar thing. It could be that for the right price they would consider it a great deal for them too. I would probably do a letter and just be as open as possible in suggesting that if they are interested in selling that portion of their land, you would love for them to let you know, since it is particularly desirable to you.
But is there a possibility the boundaries will change before your kid(s) start school? If so I would hold off just for practical reasons.
I'm surprised at people being offended by this, too.
OP, send the letter expressing interest. If they don't want to sell it, they won't, but you truly never know and it's worth a shot.
ETA: I personally would NOT do it but I don't think it's horribly offensive or anything.
You may want to check into the district rules for attending. For example, here it's common that you not only have to own land/property in the district your child is attending, but you also need to reside there.
So just owning woods in the ideal district wouldn't be enough to attend.
Yes. This is true in some areas.
I also don't think that owning wooded property in this instance (assuming residency doesn't apply) is skirting the rules. Much of what schools receive is state funded. So a good amount of what she's paying to town X is going into a pool anyway, and would in some way, benefit town Y.
Sure it may be very awkward to see this couple in passing, if they say no, hold a grudge, or ignore you. But heck, guys, this isn't an out of left field idea. It's brilliant, and worth a shot. The elderly couple may actually be happy to keep quiet, sane neighbors, who they know will reside in that home for years to come in an effort to keep their kid in that district. There's something to be said about pleasant neighbors you already have. Even if you don't really "know" them. You at least know what to expect in terms of peace.
I don't think this is the same as sending a letter asking someone to contact you if they decide they want to sell their house.
Really, though. It is.
Growing up in a rural area, I am well aware that it's not uncommon for neighbors to want a piece of your land. Either to expand their own, to have access to something (road, stream, woods, a flat plot), or to build.
Your first post comes across as very entitled. You're right in that the worst they can do is say no. If they do that you have to be okay and not complaining that they wouldn't help you or something.
Sorry but as a land owner myself this all just seems very odd. And FWIW, I wouldn't sell to you (nothing personal). Land is worth a lot of money and is a wonderful investment. It is passed down from generation to generation. DH and I own many acres where he grew up and some is farmed and some isn't, but we wouldn't sell to strangers just because.
You're taking this personally.
LOTS of people sell land to strangers "just because" there's a financial incentive.
Nope, not taking this personal. She asked for opinions and I'm giving mine.
You may want to check into the district rules for attending. For example, here it's common that you not only have to own land/property in the district your child is attending, but you also need to reside there.
So just owning woods in the ideal district wouldn't be enough to attend.
Yes. This is true in some areas.
I also don't think that owning wooded property in this instance (assuming residency doesn't apply) is skirting the rules. Much of what schools receive is state funded. So a good amount of what she's paying to town X is going into a pool anyway, and would in some way, benefit town Y.
Sure it may be very awkward to see this couple in passing, if they say no, hold a grudge, or ignore you. But heck, guys, this isn't an out of left field idea. It's brilliant, and worth a shot. The elderly couple may actually be happy to keep quiet, sane neighbors, who they know will reside in that home for years to come in an effort to keep their kid in that district. There's something to be said about pleasant neighbors you already have. Even if you don't really "know" them. You at least know what to expect in terms of peace.
Well, if they do require you to live within the district, and one doesn't (they only own wooded land there) then yes, it is unethical if they're lying and saying they physically live within the district.
ETA - this sounds like I'm oddly passionate about this subject. I'm not, lol. But there are stories every year in our metro area lately of people living in the "city" and renting apartments or buying rural land and claiming the student lives there to get into a better district. Some double-checking found vacant apts/properties and people have had their kids pulled from the "better districts" because of it (and if you're a prominent city member, that's then in the news.)
I don't see how sending a letter can hurt. They can just trash it if they don't want to sell. IMO the only thing you have to lose in sending a letter is your time. Just be respectful and polite, which I don't doubt you will.
I would be very prepared for them to say no, though, and to have a plan B ready to go (moving to the better district would be my plan B).
ETA I am also assuming that per your conversations with attorneys, etc. this is all on the up and up and is not unethical to do. If you actually have to have a physical residence on the property that is in the district, that's iffier and I would probably just move.
Yeah, I totally don't get why people are getting upset about this. You're expressing interest in buying something they own that has value to you and may or may not have the same value to them. It's not like this elderly neighbor is going to be sitting around thinking "Gee, I could put the back 10 feet of my yard on the market to earn some extra cash. Maybe I'll call a realtor." No. OP has to let neighbor know they're interested in buying and then see if neighbor is interested in selling. That is normal and not at all rude.
OP - send a letter. do not open with any numbers, just express an interest in buying and offer to discuss further if they have any interest. make 1000% sure that this would really get you into the school district you want to be in if it happened. and expect to pay them a fair price for the land if they agree. this includes any expenses that would be incurred by them for selling and takes into account the fact that this land is worth a lot to you.
I also don't think that owning wooded property in this instance (assuming residency doesn't apply) is skirting the rules. Much of what schools receive is state funded. So a good amount of what she's paying to town X is going into a pool anyway, and would in some way, benefit town Y.
Sure it may be very awkward to see this couple in passing, if they say no, hold a grudge, or ignore you. But heck, guys, this isn't an out of left field idea. It's brilliant, and worth a shot. The elderly couple may actually be happy to keep quiet, sane neighbors, who they know will reside in that home for years to come in an effort to keep their kid in that district. There's something to be said about pleasant neighbors you already have. Even if you don't really "know" them. You at least know what to expect in terms of peace.
Well, if they do require you to live within the district, and one doesn't (they only own wooded land there) then yes, it is unethical if they're lying and saying they physically live within the district.
No lying involved at all. Our property would be zoned as being in two school districts and we would have the option of deciding which one to send our kids to. Many of the other houses in the neighborhood are already like this.
Post by jeaniebueller on Dec 15, 2014 13:41:01 GMT -5
On my DS's school enrollment forms, it asks whether you "reside" in our district. I don't think that is the same as the proposition you are describing, regardless of what your lawyer has told you. I guess send a letter if you want to, but I would be shocked if owning a small parcel of land like this would allow you to enroll your child in those schools.