How would you approach this? kinda mmmr

[niq]

Send a letter, maybe have your lawyer help draft it or find an REA.

My mom sold her neighbor some portion of her lot for something something sewer when I was a teenager. Buying part of someone's lot for this or that reason just isn't a BFD.

[kershnic]

Also I think it's hilarious that people in this post assume they know how her school zoning works better than her neighbors who have done this exact thing.

[shortstax]

Dec 15, 2014 13:39:58 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

Dec 15, 2014 13:37:26 GMT -5 shortstax said:

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.

That's cool.  Here they go by where the structure is located.  In that case, I would send the letter in a heartbeat.    I imagine your property value and equity would instantly go up if you were in the better district. That's very MM

[niq]

Dec 15, 2014 13:37:37 GMT -5 page said:

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.

But the purchase would just extend the OP's existing property lines, presumably into the better school district. On the scale of crazy things people do to game public school districts, this is a maybe a 1.5 out of 10.

[karinothing]

I would do it, there is nothing to lose. HOWEVER, I would double check that just owning a piece of land in a neighboring district establishes residency. Normally you have to live there.

[iheartbanjos]

I would talk to a realtor or real estate attorney to make sure this is even feasible. Wouldn't the land have to be rezoned or subdivided? Even with this additional land, your mailing address would still be out of district.

If this would somehow be feasible, I don't see any issue with sending a letter. What's the worst that could happen? They say no?!

[dancingirl21]

I don't see a problem with asking. Hell, if my neighbors wanted to buy part of our lot and handle the trees there, I'd be all about it. Less work for me and money in my pocket! The worst they can do is say no. I'd write a letter and offer to meet in person if they wanted to discuss further.

[niq]

Oh, realpolitik question. So your lawyer thinks that extending your property lines will allow you to send your kids to the good SD. Do you think the good SD is going to view the situation that way? Or are you going to go the full ten rounds with them trying to convince them that the law is on your side?

[Deleted]

Dec 15, 2014 13:44:40 GMT -5 niq said:

Dec 15, 2014 13:37:37 GMT -5 page said:

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.

But the purchase would just extend the OP's existing property lines, presumably into the better school district. On the scale of crazy things people do to game public school districts, this is a maybe a 1.5 out of 10.

Yeah, after reading subsequent responses I agree. I don't see a thing wrong with writing a letter.

[holly116]

I think it really really depends on how schools are funded. Those of us with experience in the state of Ohio, where districts are heavily paid for by property taxes and school levies are expensive and often, well, let's just say it's different than other places and that's probably skewing some of the responses. See shortstax response.

[cinnamoncox]

Dec 15, 2014 13:26:46 GMT -5 shortstax said:

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, I was going to say this. Here, we have to prove residency with utility bills, etc. we can't just own land in the district. So check with the school first because you may end up buying land and still can't go there.

Even when my mom owned investment property in one city and we lived in another, we couldn't go to school where she owned the investment, had to be where we reside.

Good luck.

[InBetweenDays]

I would research this a lot more before sending the letter. Was it a real estate attorney you talked to? As a PP mentioned - I don't think it's as simple as just giving them money and moving your lot line. I would think the mortgage companies would need to be involved, the new property values would need to be appraised, the county would need to be involved (can you sell off that small amount of a property?)etc. Are you positive owning this small amount of land would allow you access to this other district?

All that said, if I were the current owners I'd rather receive a letter than have you show up on my doorstep. I'd want time to digest the information - and I wouldn't even consider it unless it was evident you had done all your research and legwork. And no, I wouldn't list a price unless you want to get an appraiser involved early on.

[niq]

Just so we're all on the same page here, people!


IMG_20141215_105331 by niq77174, on Flickr

ywia

[Deleted]

Dec 15, 2014 13:56:10 GMT -5 niq said:

Just so we're all on the same page here, people!


IMG_20141215_105331 by niq77174, on Flickr

ywia

This is not as good as the paperclip diagram, just sayin'

[gerberdaisy]

Dec 15, 2014 13:56:10 GMT -5 niq said:

Just so we're all on the same page here, people!


IMG_20141215_105331 by niq77174, on Flickr

ywia

This has me cracking up, thank you!  Yup, this is what I'm trying to do.

Never thought this would be controversial!

Edit: the diagram is making me laugh, not people's responses.  

[ilikedonuts]

Dec 15, 2014 13:49:13 GMT -5 holly116 said:

I think it really really depends on how schools are funded. Those of us with experience in the state of Ohio, where districts are heavily paid for by property taxes and school levies are expensive and often, well, let's just say it's different than other places and that's probably skewing some of the responses. See shortstax response.

I'm in Ohio and that's exactly my thoughts. I get all riled up about open enrollment too so don't get me started on that

So this answers those who wanted to know why I don't think its the same as offering to buy someone's house. (I think countthestars asked me to clarify).

[Marmee]

Well...I think it's kind of shady in general. But assuming this is all legal & above board...then is send a letter. The price of the land should reflect the thousands you are saving in private school, not just land value...lol. I own 3 homes in a different school district--I don't actually live in any of them so I couldn't send my kids to that school. Unless you build on that land I'm not sure how you'd legally reside in that district. If anything I'd think you buying that land would more likely be annexed to your house/district.

[shortstax]

Dec 15, 2014 13:49:13 GMT -5 holly116 said:

I think it really really depends on how schools are funded. Those of us with experience in the state of Ohio, where districts are heavily paid for by property taxes and school levies are expensive and often, well, let's just say it's different than other places and that's probably skewing some of the responses. See shortstax response.

And, just for funsies, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled over 15 years ago that the way we fund schools is UNCONSTITUTIONAL and yet nothing has been changed.  <)

[sjh722]

Dec 15, 2014 13:47:06 GMT -5 iheartbanjos said:

I would talk to a realtor or real estate attorney to make sure this is even feasible. Wouldn't the land have to be rezoned or subdivided? Even with this additional land, your mailing address would still be out of district.

If this would somehow be feasible, I don't see any issue with sending a letter. What's the worst that could happen? They say no?!

You need to go directly to the school district to find out residency requirements. Ditto niq, I would want to know, not go 10 rounds with the school board that your attorney says you can, school board says you can't.

I own vacant land. I couldn't send my kids to school there if we lived out of district because I don't live on the vacant land. (And if your neighboring district is as exclusive as you describe, they may have a full-time person/people on staff who verify residency and people who try to use loopholes to enroll their kids there. My cousin is the AP at a school like that.)

That said, it's not 100% unusual to offer to buy part of a neighbor's property. But, like pp said, it might be a little more complicated than you think. (I would imagine it needs to be surveyed, the township/county sometimes needs to approve splits if you are creating new legal descriptions, etc.) Plus, if they're elderly, AND you've never met them, they're going to need time to think it over. (And I would most certainly not approach it from the "we have already talked to an attorney and you would have enough land left to re-sell" perspective - you need to sell them on how it'd be beneficial to them (maybe once you get to talking they'll be very friendly and totally sold on helping kids get into another school district. or, conversely, they might be very attached to their property/kids may want to buy it/kids may be involved in helping them make financial decisions at this point and say no way). I'd make it a brief, clear, concise note and include my phone number for them to contact if interested. 

[sjh722]

Dec 15, 2014 13:56:10 GMT -5 niq said:

Just so we're all on the same page here, people!


IMG_20141215_105331 by niq77174, on Flickr

ywia

Wow, have you thought about a career in surveying?

[Deleted]

Dec 15, 2014 12:58:10 GMT -5 hocus2 said:

Have you considered renting their land?

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.

this. I dont know that owning land is sufficient. Don't you need to actually have an address/live there? I'd double check this before doing anything.

[kershnic]

I vote you include a copy of niq's excellent drawing in your letter to the neighbors.

[chickens987]

This reminds me of a house we looked at once. It was dirt cheap and only after I did some digging did I discover that when the previous owners' common law marriage dissolved, he kept the house and she kept the land. He died and his estate was selling the house, but she was still alive and still owned the land. LOL.

[VillainV]

It sounds to me like you've done the appropriate research. I'd write a letter, and express a desire to meet with them if they are interested. If/when you meet, I'd offer a fair price for the land, and also pay for any associated expenses (surveying, title, etc).

[anna7602]

Dec 15, 2014 13:11:45 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Dec 15, 2014 13:09:21 GMT -5 spk926 said:

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.

Ditto cloudbee. I too own land (rural land). We've received a few letters inquiring about our desire to sell or to lease out hunting rights. NBD. I've never felt that it was inappropriate,

But I also agree with hocus2 that I would be darned sure of the district's requirements for enrollment before pursuing this.

[Deleted]

Wait. Someone clarify my own stupidity here. I am confused.
She buys this land how does it change her address to get her in the right district?
Doesn't it just extend onto her own property line on her original address? She cant share the same address has the house it was once part of. The county isnt going to give a flower bed its own address.

Some one dumb this down for me.

I still contend it is weird as all get out to ask someone you have never met though.

[spk926]

Dec 15, 2014 13:40:49 GMT -5 @this said:

Days like this I regret leaving my old job where I could GBCN 8 hours a day.

I wish I could Zack Morris life pause this until 7pm.

*sigh*

Come back at 7pm. You know we'll still be here!

[niq]

Dec 15, 2014 14:43:25 GMT -5 @justdairy said:

Wait. Someone clarify my own stupidity here. I am confused.
She buys this land how does it change her address to get her in the right district?
Doesn't it just extend onto her own property line on her original address? She cant share the same address has the house it was once part of. The county isnt going to give a flower bed its own address.

Some one dumb this down for me.

I still contend it is weird as all get out to ask someone you have never met though.

I don't think anyone on this board knows enough about the law surrounding SD boundaries wherever the OP lives to comment on whether buying land to her property boundary into actually let her send her kids to the good SD (her lawyer thinks it would), what it would do to her property taxes, etc.

But by all means, let's speculate and judge!

[Deleted]

Dec 15, 2014 14:54:17 GMT -5 niq said:

Dec 15, 2014 14:43:25 GMT -5 @justdairy said:

Wait. Someone clarify my own stupidity here. I am confused.
She buys this land how does it change her address to get her in the right district?
Doesn't it just extend onto her own property line on her original address? She cant share the same address has the house it was once part of. The county isnt going to give a flower bed its own address.

Some one dumb this down for me.

I still contend it is weird as all get out to ask someone you have never met though.

I don't think anyone on this board knows enough about the law surrounding SD boundaries wherever the OP lives to comment on whether buying land to her property boundary into actually let her send her kids to the good SD (her lawyer thinks it would), what it would do to her property taxes, etc.

But by all means, let's speculate and judge!

Hey now. I am not judging the property laws. I am judging the weirdness of the whole situation of asking in the first place. I am waaayyyy tooo confused to even begin to judge the intracicies of it. jk. She asked. We are bored and full of opinions.

[VillainV]

Dec 15, 2014 14:43:25 GMT -5 @justdairy said:

Wait. Someone clarify my own stupidity here. I am confused.
She buys this land how does it change her address to get her in the right district?
Doesn't it just extend onto her own property line on her original address? She cant share the same address has the house it was once part of. The county isnt going to give a flower bed its own address.

Some one dumb this down for me.

I still contend it is weird as all get out to ask someone you have never met though.

It sounds like residing on land that straddles the boundary actually zones the home in both districts, according to the OP. And homeowners can choose to send their kids to either school. OP said there are other homes in their neighborhood that straddle the boundary and are in this situation, though she didn't say if it was from annexing land or if the original plots were drawn up to straddle the boundary.