Psychotic Neighbor

**arrmatey** · 08-18-2006, 06:51 PM

Hi,
I am selling an ocean front property. There have been two very interested parties who were scared away by a neighbor who told them the beach was eroding. I have since found out that this neighbor owns 4 immediate surrounding parcels and another 40 acres nearby. She lives down the road on the same beach and has somehow acquired the parcels for about 1/5 fair value.
I have not noticed considerable erosion and would LOVE to know what I can do about my situation.
Thanks to all,
JB

**hhunterjr** · 08-19-2006, 12:06 PM

You could inform the potential buyers that "some people in the area suggest that the beach is eroding" and then tell them that there is no evidence to suggest that. If you can find evidence from the authorities that keep the data, you could prove to the buyers that there is no beach erosion.

- Harold Hunter Jr

Hunter Law Office, PLLC
464 Eastway Drive
Charlotte, NC 28205

**arrmatey** · 08-19-2006, 12:37 PM

Thank you for your input, Mr. Hunter. One other suggestion I
recieved was to get a restraining order against the neighbor. Have
you ever heard of anyone doing this?
JB

**HHI Golf Guy** · 08-19-2006, 02:43 PM

Truthfully, almost all beaches are eroding. That's the way the tides work. I live on Hilton Head, SC and beach erosion is a constant problem.

Does the town have a beach renourishment plan in place? How often do they dredge or replenish the beaches? Is there a special plan in place in case of damage from large storms and hurricanes?

Land ownership may be different in your area. In ours, property lines are drawn before the dunes. All land and beach after that is owned by the town. That's why all our beaches are technically public, although there is very little public access to get to the beaches.

You can give this information to the potential buyers.

I don't know about the restraining order. I would ask your attorney. You may also want to ask the attorney if the neighbor causes the deal to fall through, can you sue the neighbor. If you can, you may want to mention that to the neighbor.