Hello,
I need your advice. We are searching for a plot of land, basically in only two towns. There are two building plots available, but my partner doesn’t like them. Otherwise, nothing. I recently saw a house with a large plot in an absolutely dream location and simply called the owners to ask if they would consider selling part of the land. Apparently, it already belongs to the daughters, but they said their mother, who still lives in the house (she is in her mid-80s), should decide.
The "problem" is that on the half of the land they want to sell, there is their prefabricated garage. The elderly lady said she isn’t really sure about it; she doesn’t want any hassle. They would need a new garage afterwards... I already told her not to worry about that.
Do you have any ideas on how I can convince her to sell to us? This is truly the last possible plot in the area and it would be so great if it works out.
Because of COVID-19, I thought of writing a letter with a photo of us, where I introduce ourselves. What do you think about that, and do you have any other ideas?
It just has to work.
Thanks and best regards
Knatti
I need your advice. We are searching for a plot of land, basically in only two towns. There are two building plots available, but my partner doesn’t like them. Otherwise, nothing. I recently saw a house with a large plot in an absolutely dream location and simply called the owners to ask if they would consider selling part of the land. Apparently, it already belongs to the daughters, but they said their mother, who still lives in the house (she is in her mid-80s), should decide.
The "problem" is that on the half of the land they want to sell, there is their prefabricated garage. The elderly lady said she isn’t really sure about it; she doesn’t want any hassle. They would need a new garage afterwards... I already told her not to worry about that.
Do you have any ideas on how I can convince her to sell to us? This is truly the last possible plot in the area and it would be so great if it works out.
Because of COVID-19, I thought of writing a letter with a photo of us, where I introduce ourselves. What do you think about that, and do you have any other ideas?
It just has to work.
Thanks and best regards
Knatti
I would also look up some information about the lady, as that could provide some points of connection. So, you could Google her name. She might be pictured in the local community newsletter (online), for example, with her second place in the bridge tournament or something like that.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Do I understand correctly that the "half of the plot" is not yet an independent property and still needs to be officially separated?
And what exactly did you ask the building authority? The answer "a new build would not be a problem" sounds more like they mean 'demolition and rebuilding' would be allowed. If you asked whether building on the site is permitted, the reply would more likely be "house construction would be allowed." Not just a NEW build. Or, if it's about the plot with a garage, I would interpret the answer as "building a new garage would not be a problem."
When it comes to official statements, no interpretation applies—only exactly what was said counts. Therefore, I am explicitly asking you again what you inquired about and what kind of response you received.
Reading this, I wonder if dividing the plot or demolishing the garage costs more than the value of the property. Even an elderly lady should know or suspect that a property has significant intrinsic value, and selling it could provide a more comfortable retirement. What is the property worth? And even more importantly: what have you offered her? Or have you only told her "not to worry"?
I’ll be frank: if someone says something like that to me in business matters, it usually means they want something from me—the best I can give—and for free.
Knatti schrieb:
Yes, I just checked again with the city. A new build would not be a problem.
And what exactly did you ask the building authority? The answer "a new build would not be a problem" sounds more like they mean 'demolition and rebuilding' would be allowed. If you asked whether building on the site is permitted, the reply would more likely be "house construction would be allowed." Not just a NEW build. Or, if it's about the plot with a garage, I would interpret the answer as "building a new garage would not be a problem."
When it comes to official statements, no interpretation applies—only exactly what was said counts. Therefore, I am explicitly asking you again what you inquired about and what kind of response you received.
Knatti schrieb:
The elderly lady said she really doesn’t know, she’s not involved in it. Just hassle, since they would need a new garage anyway... I already told her not to worry about it...
Reading this, I wonder if dividing the plot or demolishing the garage costs more than the value of the property. Even an elderly lady should know or suspect that a property has significant intrinsic value, and selling it could provide a more comfortable retirement. What is the property worth? And even more importantly: what have you offered her? Or have you only told her "not to worry"?
I’ll be frank: if someone says something like that to me in business matters, it usually means they want something from me—the best I can give—and for free.
H
Hausbautraum208 Jan 2021 20:41ypg schrieb:
And what exactly did you ask the building authority? The answer "a new build wouldn’t be a problem" sounds more like 'demolition and rebuilding' wouldn’t be an issue.
If you were asking whether construction is allowed there, a more appropriate answer would be "house construction is permitted," not just a new build.
Or if it’s about the 'plot with garage,' I would understand the answer to mean that 'rebuilding the garage' wouldn’t be a problem. Well, in rural areas, plenty of people used to buy two plots to have a larger garden. And you can usually build there at any time without any problems; we know many examples of this personally here.
But yes, otherwise the land value and what you offered would be interesting. At $50k I would never give up any part of my garden if my financial situation was good.
So far, we haven’t made any offers. The main question for now is whether it would be considered an encroachment. Of course, it is not intended to be free of charge. She shouldn’t have to worry about the garage because a new one will definitely be built for her. Also, this area is not used as a garden. It only contains the garage and a few bushes.
ypg schrieb:
Even an elderly lady should be aware or at least suspect that a property has significant intrinsic value, and selling it could provide her with a more comfortable retirement. The proceeds from the sale will likely benefit the children anyway, as the property has already been transferred to them, while the elderly lady will be primarily concerned about retaining her "right of residence" for her car. For widows over 80, it often only matters that the waiting period until the "pension officer" passes peacefully. The car, no matter how slowly it’s driven, is essential. Having the freedom to decide when to visit the late husband’s grave and then go to the local supermarket is still what “counts” 🙂
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
ypg schrieb:
Do I understand correctly that the "half of the plot" is not yet a separate property and still needs to be officially divided? ypg schrieb:
And what did you ask the building authority? ypg schrieb:
So I am explicitly asking you again what you inquired about and what kind of answer you received. ypg schrieb:
What is the plot worth? So many questions that you haven’t answered.
Hausbautraum20 schrieb:
Well, in rural areas there are plenty of people who bought two parcels in the past to have a bigger garden. And you can usually build on them at any time without problems; we know many examples like this personally here. Certainly. But we don’t know the situation regarding this sought-after plot. And it seems the original poster doesn’t know either.
Knatti schrieb:
So far we have not made any offers. Why not? Money makes the world go round. Nobody wants to waste time on empty promises. Sometimes you have to be straightforward to even bother dealing with changes.
Knatti schrieb:
The main question at this point is whether it would be possible to establish a boundary line. It always comes down to the price.
And with comments like:
Knatti schrieb:
I already said she doesn’t need to worry about it... Knatti schrieb:
And of course, it shouldn’t be for free. ... you don’t deal with someone behind the garden fence. That’s no foundation to work with. It would be a different matter if the owner wanted to actively sell, but has that building restriction or the burden of a garage on the property and doesn’t know how to handle it best.
So be careful with offhand remarks like that – they can have the opposite effect.
Knatti schrieb:
Actually, it probably already belongs to the daughters, but they said that the mother should decide, who still lives in the house (she is in her mid-80s). “Actually”? Have you spoken to them?
The real point of contact here (harsh as it may sound) is the daughters. Plural? That would mean a kind of inheritance community. Usually quite difficult: one wants to sell, the other does not. The right to persuade the 80-year-old mother belongs to the daughters.
All I see is a written offer based on market or fair value to the inheritance community. The garage issue is not your problem. Either they want or need the money and can give up the plot, or not. If they do want money, they will also find a solution regarding the garage.
First clarify with the authority and the local development plan whether it is even allowed to build a single-family house of suitable size there; not everything that looks obvious is permitted. Then check the market value. Preferably even before contacting the building authority.
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