The World encroaching? Move your driveway!

Dachshund · May 7, 2005

Well - Our land IS a century farm (150 year actually). The only restrictions in zoning are for hog, cattle, industrial. As far as residential - anything goes (within state code) - as it should be. People don't have the right to tell me what to do with my land, and I don't have it to tell them. If I wanted to paint my house hot pink, I should be allowed to do so. One of the neighbors put up a tin barn to live in. Blew down 3 times before he got it finished. Looks like a barn, feels like a barn (even smells like a barn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). People snicker when they drive by, but it's his place. I'm sure some disagree/dislike what we have done to our place (I KNOW one brother doesn't like it). It just doesn't matter - it's my place (I suppose the bright white shiney outhouse on the hill irritates some /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Guess we just have a difference of opinion. On the other note - Good for you that you will be helping with the drive/lawn. He will appreciate the help.

HuckBB62 · May 7, 2005

This thread is very interesting. I can see both sides of the discussion, and I'm not usually a fence sitter!

I do get a sense that a lot of people don't like manufactured homes. I think it's from the past. Terms like "doublewide" and "house trailer" make me think this. Well, we'iz trailer trash now and I never thought I would be. Without going into it too far, I think there's a lot more to manufactured homes these days than most people know.

I think had the young guy taken his time and something he may learn, is that he could build more equity if he'd done it better. I'm not sure of the level of build of his manufactured home but it doesn't look like much. Well, one thing's for sure, it can be hauled off later but I doubt it'll ever move unless someone buys it just for the land.

Glenn9643 · May 7, 2005

He centered the mobile home in the middle of my driveway where it is perfectly framed from every window in my house, as well as my family's favorite feature of our house: the front porch.

And I've been complaining because a radio tower was erected about a mile from the house, and at night I see reflections of the red warning lights in the pond as I walk through the house. I think mine's easier to deal with now.

hitekcountry · May 7, 2005

Bigpete

So essentially every thing he’s done (except the septic which is not your main complaint) falls within the land use restrictions for the area. These same restrictions existed at the time you bought your property, which I assume you looked into and understood at that time. So the fact that someone could do what he has done should come as no surprise to you.

Wishing the regulations were more to your liking and talking about Kansas is just a big waste of time. the time to avoid this situation was when you were looking to buy this property. You could have looked for property in an area with strict CC&Rs which probably would be more to your liking. But you chose an area with land use restrictions that you don’t like, whose fault is that ?

You shouldn’t be surprised that there are people who don’t have the good taste and common sense that you do, and that one of those people could move in across the street. A big disappointment to be sure, I think everyone would agree with you on that. But I'd be willing to bet a lot of us would be happy to trade neighbors with you.

Now look at the bright side. Within a few years he’ll have a half dozen kids and they’ll probably have less common sense than he does, /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif and at that time you’ll think back wishing for a return of the good ol days that your enjoying now. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Enjoy while you can.

getut · May 7, 2005

Thats the problem.. there are many people in the world that thinks money is a measure of class. Their dead wrong. No one should think any less of anyone because of where or how they live.

If they are a good honest person that is all that matters. The term got started WRONGLY associated with where someone lives. I've seen trailer trash living in million dollar homes and I've seen some of the best people around living in trailers. In fact.. in my own wanderings.. its the rich "better than thou" types who I would rather stay away from.

shvl73 · May 7, 2005

It sure doesn't seem snobbish or elitist to me, to be upset or dissapointed when a structure that will negatively affect property values is placed directly accross from ones own home. I didn't read that the land was offered for sale prior to this happening, thus making it difficult to avoid the end result. This thread seems to evolved into some kind of " the have's vs. the have-nots" when it started out with one person expressing his displeasure at having to spend money and labor to try and change the layout of his yard to avoid the view across the street. It would most likely be an easy assumption that, had he been offered the chance to purchase the property directly across from his, he might have done so.
I would also be upset if the value of my home were reduced because of the action of another.

vetteman · May 7, 2005

I agree with you ,when my wife was born they lived in a trailer.Now 49 years later my FIL is worth hundreds of millions of dollars.... we all have to start somewheres and he doesnt look down at people just because they live in a trailer he looks at the person and how they are towards other people and how they conduct theirselves. But I think just because someone puts a home up across from you or whomever you shouldnt condem them. Also if their is no codes and nowone to enforse them maybe its time to complain to the township and maybe its time to get some kind of zoning instead of complaining about.

getut · May 7, 2005

Money is the root of this. Property values are in the end irrelevant. If someone gets a good neighbor and a good person for a friend then what does it matter.

Some people really ARE shallow enough to judge everything by property value.

Heck.. million dollar homes in a gated development where the dairy farm is now would run the property value for my A-frame and 5 acres through the roof.. but I would move before I would put up with the rat race and elitest behavior.

Dachshund · May 7, 2005

And... just how much is it REALLY going to affect property values? Sounds like my brother - he complained to anyone who'd listen about how I was doing everything "wrong" (by his account), but yet wouldn't talk to me NOR lift a finger to help (Now, it sounds like he's gonna offer to help some with the drive/lawn and all, so I'm not picking on him). I'm just glad I don't live in an area where I have to live my life for the neighbors (or my family).