cparker2016
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? North Carolina
Board:
We bought a bank owned property that was vacant for 2 years in October of 2015. A church had owned 2 residential parcels along with the actual church parcel, and foreclosed on all but the main building (the actual church itself). Part of one of the lost parcels (the one we purchased) included a large building. Prior to finalizing, we did our due diligence with a new survey. Prior to the survey, it appeared (by a simple visual), that the large back building possibly could sit up to a foot or so on the church's remaining property. The survey came back that the entire building belonged on our parcel, and noted that there were no encroachments on the survey detail page. It also gave measurements as to how far the building and the home were from each neighboring property line. We rechecked with our attorney that what we were reading was true and correct, and went forward with closing. Once everything was in our name, we removed the lock from the building (we had no idea the contents), and discovered that the building was full of piles of junk. The next day, one of the "bishop's" from the church came over and began trying to intimidate me and told me I had no right to break in to their building. I respectfully requested he leave and speak to my husband, he tried to get nasty, etc etc. My husband then contacted the church and told them that that kind of behavior was not going to be tolerated, that we had rightful, legal ownership to that building. A week later, we received a typed apology on church letterhead for the actions of this church member, and that they in no way wanted any trouble. They even granted easement to the front doors of this building (their parking lot backs up to it, but it also has a side door opening that faces our backyard).
Now, to the fun stuff. In the last 4 months, the pastor of the church began coming over to our property and suggesting that a small fraction of that building lays on their property. The first couple of times my husband said that we had it surveyed, etc etc, we know where the lines are. My husband also suggested the man go check at the registrar's office. For some reason, this preacher is hell bent on trying to start something over something I paid good money to prevent in the form of a survey. It had been decades since these plots of land had been surveyed. We were concerned about encroachment and when we were told we had none, we went ahead with the purchase. Today, the preacher came back only in a more aggressive and intimidating fashion, suggesting my husband was being uncooperative, and insinuating that we could expect more. What more? Who knows. I told my husband to not speak to him anymore and the next time he shows up to warn him of a harassment charge.
I guess my question is, at what point do I proactively do something about this, or do I even need to bother? This is an up and coming transitional urban neighborhood with excellent potential and an already good real estate base. I do not wish to have bad relations with neighbors, as we are putting a lot of money and effort into restoring this property after years of neglect by the church. It makes me wonder if they aren't trying to back handedly extort us for anything they can get. Just would like some opinions on this, please!
Board:
We bought a bank owned property that was vacant for 2 years in October of 2015. A church had owned 2 residential parcels along with the actual church parcel, and foreclosed on all but the main building (the actual church itself). Part of one of the lost parcels (the one we purchased) included a large building. Prior to finalizing, we did our due diligence with a new survey. Prior to the survey, it appeared (by a simple visual), that the large back building possibly could sit up to a foot or so on the church's remaining property. The survey came back that the entire building belonged on our parcel, and noted that there were no encroachments on the survey detail page. It also gave measurements as to how far the building and the home were from each neighboring property line. We rechecked with our attorney that what we were reading was true and correct, and went forward with closing. Once everything was in our name, we removed the lock from the building (we had no idea the contents), and discovered that the building was full of piles of junk. The next day, one of the "bishop's" from the church came over and began trying to intimidate me and told me I had no right to break in to their building. I respectfully requested he leave and speak to my husband, he tried to get nasty, etc etc. My husband then contacted the church and told them that that kind of behavior was not going to be tolerated, that we had rightful, legal ownership to that building. A week later, we received a typed apology on church letterhead for the actions of this church member, and that they in no way wanted any trouble. They even granted easement to the front doors of this building (their parking lot backs up to it, but it also has a side door opening that faces our backyard).
Now, to the fun stuff. In the last 4 months, the pastor of the church began coming over to our property and suggesting that a small fraction of that building lays on their property. The first couple of times my husband said that we had it surveyed, etc etc, we know where the lines are. My husband also suggested the man go check at the registrar's office. For some reason, this preacher is hell bent on trying to start something over something I paid good money to prevent in the form of a survey. It had been decades since these plots of land had been surveyed. We were concerned about encroachment and when we were told we had none, we went ahead with the purchase. Today, the preacher came back only in a more aggressive and intimidating fashion, suggesting my husband was being uncooperative, and insinuating that we could expect more. What more? Who knows. I told my husband to not speak to him anymore and the next time he shows up to warn him of a harassment charge.
I guess my question is, at what point do I proactively do something about this, or do I even need to bother? This is an up and coming transitional urban neighborhood with excellent potential and an already good real estate base. I do not wish to have bad relations with neighbors, as we are putting a lot of money and effort into restoring this property after years of neglect by the church. It makes me wonder if they aren't trying to back handedly extort us for anything they can get. Just would like some opinions on this, please!
