In some states it is a class four felony to remove a surveyor's stakes/markers. Check Florida.

"Clear title to the property involved," means just that, that you own the land. The neighbor says he owns the land. Title company will get involved, they said you have clear title to the property, your neighbor says he owns. Also get realtor involved since there is a dispute on who owns the land that she/he listed and sold to you. Lake County property appraisers office also should get involved, they have maps that clearly show not only the dwelling, but where it sits on the legal parcel of property. You can use that to measure the property boundaries. If the neighbor tries to stop you from measuring, call the Sherriffs office and request an officer come out. Also call the Villages and ask them to verify they did not build the house on the neighbors property. It will take some legwork and time on your part, but you can get all the information to clear this up. I would put up a Ring Video Cam that covers the neighbors property where it joins yours so you can keep an eye on anything he tries to do to what's on your property and your dog. Ring keeps the video, so you can show it to the Sherriff or take it to Court. Good luck. Don't let this neighbor bully you, if you do, it will escalate.

Ohiobuckeye
 

Would you still be stuck owning a house or by law could you back out of it if you owned less property that you paid for. That’s a good point you made!

Survey Dispute
 

First off, don’t panic. These lots were platted over 35 years ago and haven’t changed. Surveyors do make mistakes, but rarely twice and if two different surveys were done (one when house was built and one 4 years later when you bought) the likelihood of both being wrong is probably about the same as me winning the lottery (and I don’t play it).

Second, call the surveyor who did the survey, explain what happened and ask them to come out and reshoot the line and mark the corners. They should be agreeable as they have a stake in it, too (pun intended).

Third, tell your neighbor, please don’t remove the stakes, they have been checked twice now. If you think they are wrong, here’s the number for the surveyor that did it, or call a surveyor of your own and have them take a look.

Over time, people forget where property lines are and we all tend to encroach a little as in mowing or putting pot planters down, etc., especially on parts of adjoining properties that aren’t used much by the other property owner.

Also, as a quick visual reference, utility equipment such as transformers, cable or telephone boxes, gas line post markers, street lights and such are usually located pretty much on, or very close to the property lines.

I’ll bet with the surveyors. Your neighbor is probably confused, and you are most likely fine.

And one really last note :icon_wink: If you think your neighbor will be a real hard head and immediately pull up the stakes, ask the surveyor to paint orange survey paint on the ground/grass at the stake point. Your neighbor won’t be able to pull that up, and you can get a can of surveyor paint at Lowe’s or Home Depot to keep the mark visible.

Once you get it remarked take photos holding measuring tape from house to stake and so on....if he yanks them out again you will have proof.
Best of luck...keep us posted.

IDK...with this guy I'd put cement markers in...

welcome to the villages
 

This what they don't tell you about the people in the villages are like. That is why you have to due your due diligence before you buy and check the talk of the Visages website

Well, if it is the problem he will soon forget about it?:faint:

I hope the neighbor don’t have shovel?:shocked:

Update: Thank you everyone for the good advice.

Called the surveyor and told them what has happened. He did explain he knew the history of the property. Yes many years back a mistake was made on the property line boundary. It was corrected legally. Also said in the ground , dig thru grass there are steel markers used in villages for property boundaries.

He assured us the survey he just did was correct and was going to call the neighbor and explain that the dispute was settled many years ago and current stakes are correct and was registered at time of sale with county.

Glad you got satisfaction. For you’re sake I hope the neighbor accepts it and can move on?

Thanks for giving an update, that doesn't happen often.

Keep us updated.

Anyone have a metal detector who could help find the stakes?