Croxxed Out@FLCons
This single mom lives on a quiet cul de sac-end with just a handful of houses and her little 1 acre lot.
A year ago her wealthy attorney neighbor (who has a 2 acre lot next door) casually asked about buying a massive boulder along her driveway. She told him she’d think about it. A week later she came home from a trip with her kids and the boulder was gone! No note, no money, no conversation. When she confronted him he shrugged it off like it was nothing. She told him to stay away and didn't pursue it legally to keep the peace.
Fast-forward to now. This same neighbor (who has ample frontage on the the main road but whose land abuts to hers) approaches her as she's unloading groceries from the trunk of her car. Without so much as a hello, he announces that he’s building an outbuilding for his son near their shared property line. He further announces that needs an easement across her front yard to tie into the sewer main right in front of her house. He wasn't asking though. He was telling her what she was going to do and would bring a contract “soon” for her to sign.
Taken aback she asks to see the city’s required plans first. Of course, he wasn't expecting her to push back. That was when he got cagey, bad-mouthing the city process, and insists he’ll get his permits after she agrees.
She already knew her answer, but decided to stew on it for a few days and gather up the courage to decline.
Three days later, she finally turned the tables. He was focused on working along his fence line when she walked up and said calmly, “I wanted to get back to you after our conversation the other day. It’s going to be a no on the easement.” He looked completely caught off guard and flustered. When he asked why, she kept it short: “Even if my mortgage lender didn’t have concerns, it’s not a good choice for me personally.” When he demanded to know who her lender was, she laughed and told him that was private.
Of course, he kept talking, complaining that the city was forcing street upgrades on their no-sidewalk road. She just chuckled, said “They really are pushing that now,” and walked away while he was still mid-sentence. She never brought up the stolen boulder. She didn’t need to. She was done being a pushover and thought to be easily bullied into other people's unreasonable demands.
What would YOU do if a neighbor who already stole from you suddenly needed something big from your property? Say yes for “peace,” or finally stand your ground?