"Honestly, the best thing you can do is politely but firmly set boundaries early."
Couldn't agree more. When we bought our land, I was hesitant to spend extra money on fencing or signage right away—seemed unnecessary at first. But after hearing stories like yours, I'm thinking it might actually save money (and headaches) in the long run. Did you find that neighbors respected your boundaries once you clearly marked them, or did you still have to reinforce things later on?
"I'm thinking it might actually save money (and headaches) in the long run."
I see your point, but I'd caution against assuming fencing and signage alone will prevent boundary issues entirely. In my experience, even clearly marked property lines can still lead to misunderstandings or disputes down the road. Sometimes neighbors genuinely forget or become complacent over time, especially if you're not actively using the land. Maybe regular visits or maintaining some minimal presence could help reinforce boundaries more effectively than signage alone...? Just something to consider.
Good points here. I bought some land a few years back and didn't build right away either. Thought fencing would be enough, but ended up dealing with neighbors who started using part of it as their own driveway... awkward situation to say the least. Regular visits definitely help—people notice when you're around and tend to respect boundaries more. Even just mowing occasionally or parking a vehicle there once in a while can make a difference. Learned that one the hard way, unfortunately.
Had a similar issue myself a while back. Bought a piece of land intending to hold onto it for a few years before developing. Thought I was covered with clear boundary markers, but neighbors started treating it like their own personal overflow parking lot. Not fun.
You're right about regular visits—people definitely notice when you're around and tend to respect boundaries more. But honestly, the best thing I did was put up some clear signage. Nothing aggressive, just simple "Private Property" signs at key points along the boundary. It made a noticeable difference almost immediately.
Another thing that helped was planting a few trees and shrubs along the property line. Not only did it visually reinforce the boundary, but it also made the land look maintained and cared for, even though I wasn't building yet. People are less likely to encroach when they see active signs of ownership.
I know mowing and occasional parking help too, but if you're not able to visit regularly, consider hiring someone local to keep an eye on things or do basic maintenance every month or so. It's a small expense compared to the headache of boundary disputes later on.
Bottom line: clearly marking your property and showing consistent signs of ownership—even if you're not actively building—is key to avoiding awkward neighbor situations down the road. Learned that lesson myself... the hard way, unfortunately.
Thanks for sharing your experience—lots of good points here. Did you find neighbors responded better to signage or landscaping overall? I'm considering both, but curious which had the bigger impact for you.
