Now this is going to be a slow long process. We worked 4 hours until we couldn't stand the heat anymore. We will go out there again. Here is our progress. Beginning of new stone border. 2 wagons full of weeds so far. After first weeding. This has become a very large project. Of course the heat is the biggest problem. It must have been near 95 degrees and humid out there today.
Looking good! This is a massive undertaking... don't try to do it all at once, especially in the heat!
Yes, yes stay away from the heat, it is not worth to get heat stroke. I never go into the heat nowadays until it is really safe!!! Everything is looking beautiful. Remember to drink lots of water.
Please check your laws, whether it is township or in town, you may be surprised that they may be able to keep your property after a period of time, if you do nothing about their encroachment as soon as you know there is an issue. Don't wait too long to have it checked and they need to move the fence at their expense, not yours. You are not being a bad neighbor by enforcing the compliance of this, they were by putting up a fence without having clearly defined or surveyed property lines. Barb, You have a lovely park to enjoy now. It is looking wonderful.
Caroyln, Yes, the fence has been over our property line since I was a kid, at least 30 years, so it's really too late to do anything about it. I've known for a long time they could technically claim the property, but I'm not going to let them know that. The other neighbor has my permission to use the land for only a few months of the year, so doesn't retain rights according to our laws.
This has become a very large project. We finally got that last load of mulch so we can move on now. The neighbors garden is doing very nicely. We have now put posts and string along the surveyors stakes. Now the people have moved out and the bank is taking the house back. It takes allot away from their front yard. That's their house top left. The bush sitting on the left of the lil rock line is the neighbors. They claimed all the stuff on the right. That is really ours. See the lilies in the little pond. I have been taking some out every few days and putting them in the pond by the greenhouse. We didn't have mulch for a while and the heat was too much to work for a while but we try go get out every evening to get some remodeling done. It will look good when we are finished.
Wow... that is a lot of work! But it sure looks nice. Added bonus... you got your land back. Great idea of putting up a small fence so there will be no confusion with the next owners. And don't worry about their front yard being smaller... look that that gorgeous garden they have as their view now (thanks to all your work).
KK is right, as a heat stroke isn't something to look forward to - Trust me, as I've had it twice in life. It's actually worse than having malaria (which too I have had)... Danger with heat stroke is that you just don't see it coming. You really are fine one moment (thinking that oh I can easily do a little more) - But the next moment you're toast! There are only 2 ways a person can avoid a heat stroke. First is to drink plenty of liquids (ice cold homemade lemonade is best). And also eat something salty, as the more we perspire in the heat, the more salt we lose. Which often leads to muscle cramps... And of course, UV proof sunglasses and a large airy straw hat will also help a lot.
It's been possible all over the country. There's a quasi-religious group that's famous for taking other peoples land, and sometimes even homes. They file a "quit claim" deed at the courthouse and occupy the property. After a few years, they claim the land as their own since they've been paying taxes on it. The attorney and court fees can amount to more than the value of the land, the group has also been known to be quite violent. It's always best to do whatever it takes to protect your property as soon as possible.
Your progress is looking very good! Can't wait to see what else you do with your "new" land. So now that the bank has taken the house back, does that mean there's no more question to where the property line is, and who owns what?
Well, until now it looked like it belonged to them. We figured if the bank auctioned it off, someone who got the land would think it was theirs. When we get done, it will look like it's ours. So there could have been a problem if we let it stay the old way. Mind you, this parcel of land was divided 20 years ago. My house, their house and a vacant lot. I have my house and the vacant lot. Their house sits in behind my 2 lots. When it was divided a surveyor in town did the work. We had him survey it again. I have both survey reports and the map. There shouldn't be a problem but you never know..... My sister is here today so I am visiting with her but my hubby is out there hauling more and more mulch. It is really looking good now. Hope I can get some pics later.
