Answers by Linda Ritlinger

Based on your description, you may have a strong case for acquiring the second lot through adverse possession or a related legal concept, as you (and the previous owner) have treated the two lots as one unified, fenced property for over 20 years (2001- 2026). If I were you, I would get a consultation with a Real Estate/Land dispute attorney, and you can call the Bar Association for a referral if you or your friends don't automatically know of someone. You might call a regular Real Estate Attorney to start off with and see if they have any recommendations also. At the same time, I would also call the city and inquire as to how and why this occured at this point in time, who made those decisions, and take names, dates and times of any information you gather, an attorney may want all of that information. Good luck to you in this dilemma. Linda Ritlinger, Realtor/Broker Multi- Million Dollar Listing Agent. 336-312-3646 Triad/Piedmont Area NC.

You might have a situation of Adverse Possession if this has existed as one lot rather than two, but the difficulties here are as follows it seems. Your deed only shows one lot, not two? If that's correct then my question would be, who has the deed showing ownership to another? If I were you I would find an attorney who not only deals in Real Estate but also land disputes. I would also call the city and see who you need to speak to about this situation, taking names, dates, times you called, and all the information you can gather and take it to an attorney who will potentially either explain the legal situation to you and/or represent you if there is wrong doing. Good Luck to you. Linda Ritlinger, Realtor /Broker Multi-Million Dollar Seller in the Triad/Piedmont area NC.

What I would do in this instance has worked for me when I have been looking at places to market for clients. Most people on the weekends, weather permitting, are out tending to their lawns, playing with the children, and washing their cars. I would simply walk the area/street and explain who you are, that you're thinking of moving there, and how do they like living there. Tell them the house you intend to buy and/or are looking at, and after you get chatty and somewhat friendly ask the question, "How are the neighbors" if they have had any trouble there with them, do they get along with them okay, or any such information. Usually, neighbors are willing to tell you the bad stuff if there is any. I have never had a problem in this situation, walking and talking neighbors love to talk about their environment, love to tell you what they know, and potentially and prematurely welcome you to the neighborhood.

Realtors can help out with leasing land, but I'm going to tell you what I think in this instance would be better for you. I would go to a Property Management Company as that's what they do and all they do. Make sure it's one that deals in land leasing also, and set up yourself to ask a gazillion questions, but I would do that since you have a lot of acres and that land will have to have some pretty intense care of the quality of the land, soil, and anything else that it would include. I know that where I sold a home with 89 acres last year, and I learned all about the land, keeping it green and beautiful, all the nurturing it required, chemicals, the kind of grass to enhance it with and everything. Go to someone that knows it all and can take great care of your land so that, potentially, if you decide to sell it later, it will maintain a certain level of quality better than when it started!?