Had almost the exact same thing happen a few years back—neighbor's shed was about two feet into our property. Surveys definitely aren't foolproof. Now I always recommend clients get an independent surveyor out before buying... worth every penny to avoid headaches down the road.
"Surveys definitely aren't foolproof. Now I always recommend clients get an independent surveyor out before buying... worth every penny to avoid headaches down the road."
Couldn't agree more on this. A few years ago, a client of mine skipped the independent survey because the seller had one done recently. Turns out, the fence line was off by almost three feet—doesn't sound like much until you realize it meant losing half their driveway! Sorting that mess took months and cost way more than a survey would've.
If anyone's in the process of buying, here's my quick rundown:
1. Don't rely solely on the seller's survey—get your own independent one.
2. Walk the property lines yourself with the surveyor if possible (you'd be surprised how many misunderstandings this clears up).
3. Keep a copy handy—digital and physical—because boundary disputes can pop up years later.
Better safe than sorry, especially when it comes to something as big as your home... and driveway space. 😉
"Walk the property lines yourself with the surveyor if possible (you'd be surprised how many misunderstandings this clears up)."
This is solid advice. Had a client once who discovered their "garden shed" was technically halfway into the neighbor's yard... awkward conversation, expensive fix. Definitely worth double-checking those lines yourself.
When we bought our place, I figured the fence line was the property line—seemed logical enough. Turns out, nope. The surveyor showed me we actually owned about three feet past our fence into what I'd assumed was the neighbor's yard. Felt kinda weird bringing it up to them, but they were surprisingly chill about it. Still haven't moved the fence though... feels like it'd be more trouble than it's worth at this point.
We had a similar situation when we first moved in. Honestly, good on you for actually talking to your neighbors about it—awkward conversations like that aren't easy. If they're chill and you're fine with the current fence, makes sense to just leave it alone... moving fences can get pricey fast, plus permits and all that hassle. At least now you're clear about where your boundaries are if something comes up later.
