Opinions on new property rules for our home...

[aphayes96]

We bought a home on 10 acres in December that has a stocked lake and a nice walk around it. We are loving it. Here's the problem... the previous owners sold another 30 acres to build a subdivision across the lake and 3 homes are lakefront across the way but none of the others. Also, they let the neighborhood people use the lake, fish, walk around etc for years. So now... we have strangers walking through the front yard all the time to walk the lake, fish and even hunting the wild hogs this winter and bringing ATV's on the property without helmets, etc. I wouldn't care about them walking along the lake but they bring their dogs off leash and no pick up bags for poop, etc. Also, a few of them hit golf balls and don't pick them up... and I don't mean a couple. We picked up 20 the other day. It has gotten to the point that I go inside in the mornings with my coffee when I see people because I don't want them to see me on the porch in a robe or pj's/ or bathing suit in the afternoons, etc. I don't let the dogs out front for fear that Grady will jump on someone or get after an off leash dog. My husband made a good point that it's OUR property and we shouldn't be driven inside for other people we don't know walking around our yard... no matter how big it is. I don't want to be the new jerks that bought the lake house but damn... we bought 10 acres so we could have our privacy and live a great country life with our kids and we aren't enjoying it as much for worrying about these strangers that feel obliged to walk our property any time they please! In case you're wondering... there is no easement of public use either... we own all the land and half the lake too so it's not like we are wanting to cut off legal priviledges of the neighbors. Anyway... just wanted some opinions. Andy is thinking about fencing part of the property so there's no "thru" traffic allowed. I feel like we'll have the neighbors in a tizzy but we gave an inch and they are taking a mile! Thanks for any opinions.

 

[Smart_Family]

I would fence what you can. It would drive me nuts if I owned property and people did that. It drives me crazy as it is where we are now but we rent so not much we can do about it.

 

[ruby55]

I'm with Smart. Fence it. And if that doesn't work post no trespassing signs. I might think about post posting private property signs anyways. Give them a chance to realize that you own it; don't want a bunch of ATV's & golfers trespassing. Is there a way to fence the part closest to the house so that you can have your privacy but the neighbors will still have lake access? I agree that I wouldn't want to be the heavy, but geez; you spent a lot of money & time to acquire 10 acres of property. It's not your fault that the neighbors didn't buy it when it went on the market.

 

[Cgchad]

Here's what I would do. Get A muzzleloading rifle. Just put powder in it no bullets. Set up a fake target at a pretty good range.

When they come on your property, go out and have some "target" practice. The fact that nothing actually ever his the target might scare them half to death, since they don't know where the shots went. Of course that's figuring that the smoke and noise doesn't work.

That's just what I would do though.

 

[NeoBull]

I think a fence is very reasonable, its unfortunate that you have to fork out the money for it because of them though.

 

[Kelly]

Absolutely!!! why shouldn't you?

I've never understood people who buy condos and apartments right in the heart of town, then get upset when it's not country quiet all the time. A guy I know moved downtown Vancouver, like, right downtown, cus you know, he wanted to be in the heartbeat of the city, where "it's" happening. And then he'd get upset every time the Canucks won a hockey game (which I have to admit, is quite often) and all the fans would go up and down the street he lives on hootin and hollering after the game. Well duh. dont waste my peaceful coffee time whining about it dude. I just say if you want quiet, move to the country.

which is exactly what you've done and you should have every expectation of privacy.

 

[dmouse66]

It could be that the relator used the lake & land as a selling point & these people are not aware it's part private. I would put up a simple split rail fence along the back & corners blocking instant accesss but not your view, with No Tresspassing - Private Property - Violators will be Prosecuted signs as well as Beware of Dog signs. This way you're covered IF your dog were to do anything. (I also like the air gun suggestion though! Hahahahaha!)

 

[aphayes96]

We bought new signs to put up and I'm writing a tactful letter to the President of the neighborhood's HOA just to let them know what we want and don't want happening. Hopefully it will work. Also... the neighborhood isn't new. The owner sold the 30 acres to build the adjacent neighborhoodover 30 yrs ago. They've just been letting the 'hood' use their property for that long! So I think you're kind of right about them thinking it's sort of 'everyone's' but they all know well that it's private property. They just don't seem to care! Thanks for the opinions. Andy has the fencing all picked out if this doesn't work. We also have lots of air-guns and the real deal. HA! I just hate being the "bad" guy now. I even thought about making the lake path more distinct by putting down straw and pavers... but I think that would just bring more people.

---------- Post added at 08:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------

And the FUNNY thing is... we have two signs already. They say no trespassing, no hunting, no vehicles... etc. The neighbors think it doesn't apply to them. I went and said hello to a guy last week that was fishing and traipsing through the yard and he was like hey... I live across the lake. Just so you know I'm not trespassing. I was like, you do know this is private property right? There's no easement for the hood. He didn't quite understand me. LOL He just said oh, well, we've been coming to let the kids play for years. My parents live over there. So I'm like... you DON'T actually even live in the neighborhood? Nope. Geeze. He had his 10 yr old on an ATV, no helmet, nothing. All I can think of is some shady people letting their kid get hurt on the property and getting sued! No thanks.

 

[aphayes96]

And the FUNNY thing is... we have two signs already. They say no trespassing, no hunting, no vehicles... etc. The neighbors think it doesn't apply to them. I went and said hello to a guy last week that was fishing and traipsing through the yard and he was like hey... I live across the lake. Just so you know I'm not trespassing. I was like, you do know this is private property right? There's no easement for the hood. He didn't quite understand me. LOL He just said oh, well, we've been coming to let the kids play for years. My parents live over there. So I'm like... you DON'T actually even live in the neighborhood? Nope. Geeze. He had his 10 yr old on an ATV, no helmet, nothing. All I can think of is some shady people letting their kid get hurt on the property and getting sued! No thanks.

---------- Post added at 08:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:17 AM ----------

And Kelly... exactly! We bought the land/house for a reason! In the country with 10 acres! LOL.

 

[aphayes96]

And Kelly... exactly! We bought the land/house for a reason! In the country with 10 acres! LOL.

 

[STEVSH]

I'd start with the "Private Property" signs located on each side of the lake where the property starts, then go from there. If it is still ignored, fence it! We have the same problem with our father in laws property. He is technically in the township and has 3 acres, and a subdivison was built up around him technically on city property. Because he keeps he property along the road grown with wildflowers and not suburbia landscaped, everyone in the neighborhood brings their dogs to his property to poop. It drives me absolutely batty. This is an 82 yr old man totally being taken advantage of. And my husband comes home fuming because he has to mow and upkeep the property and steps in poop everywhere. So private property signs are going up this spring.

 

[OdeMX]

Here's what I would do. Get A muzzleloading rifle. Just put powder in it no bullets. Set up a fake target at a pretty good range.

Genius

 

[ravendarat]

I understand what your saying and you are in a rough spot. You want people to enjoy the lake but you want your privacy as well. How many people are we talking about here? Is there a way you could post a public letter of some kind with your concerns and a few rules for using your land i.e. pick up your dog poop, stay out of your yard, no atvs without helmets etc. People might think your a bit of a prude but at least you gave them full warning before you turn to worse means to protect your privacy.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

As I mentioned already with my "housing" issue common courtesy doesn't exist any more. You have the right to your land and the privacy you deserve. I also second the opinion of fencing what you can.

Kelly you nailed it! Some people like that atmosphere, I don't. I also don't like that I have to pay MORE for country peace and quiet.

 

[dmouse66]

My opinion, they are the 'bad neighbors'...

 

[Tiger12490]

Common courtesy is dead and for lack of a better word I'd be a d*** I would allow no one to be on my side you give people an inch they'll take a mile..... you post signs and letters they'll follow the rules for all of 2 weeks...... that land belongs to you and I'm sure you payed good money for that beautiful land

Tapd on my skyrocket using 2.0 beta 5

 

[aphayes96]

Yikes. I think today will be the final straw! When I got home from picking up my kiddos from preschool some guy had brought a boat trailer and was unloading a small boat with a motor (not allowed in this lake with motors) and we don't have a "so-called" boat ramp so he was making dig marks with his tires in the shore grass!!! What an idiot! I haven't seen him before. I didn't want to go down there without Andy home to a strange guy so I'm just watched from the porch. Crazy!! Thank for the advice. It's good to know that I'm not the bad guy... even if I feel like one!

 

[dmouse66]

I would have called the cops!

 

[Bentley]

Put up no trespassing signs and private property signs, then call the police, if you don't take some form of proactive action then people will keep taking advantage. It's your property and you should not be made to feel uncomfortable on it. If one of these people hurts themself on your land they wil be quick enough to blame you.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

You have signs up and people still ignore them time to take it to the next level.