Interesting situation developing. (Mostly brainstorming, but I would appreciate any thoughts.)

I get the “I want to buy your house.” postcards all the time. They rarely make it past the post office trash can. However, today I got one about a home of mine that backs up to semi isolated, large tract of vacant land.

On either side of the vacant land, is an apartment complex (class C/D...yuk) and on the other side, a commercial warehouse, (Broken up into multiple small businesses.)

The vacant land is zoned residential. My home has a driveway that opens onto a main thoroughfare road, and sits on a large lot that is similar in width to the vacant land.

Both the apartment, the warehouse, and the vacant lot, only have access from a very small one way street, that runs behind their properties, w limited exposure to the main road. Another important thing to know about my home is that it sets wayback off of the main road, and shares the drive w another home that I also own. I guess my point is that it wouldn’t be most people’s first choice of a home to seek out. I suspect one of the surrounding property owners wants my home in the back.

My best guess is that the apartment is hoping to expand and wants an entrance from the main road (They are practically hidden), or Plan B, someone is hoping to develop a few homes on the vacant land, and wants the drive for the same reason. I doubt it is the commercial warehouse-ish, because of the land zoning, and because it’s not really a large business/factory that would need to expand, but who knows.

Tomorrow I will be headed to the register of deeds to try to figure out how exactly the driveway is deeded and if the second, home has some sort of right of way.

So I guess these are my questions...What are the next steps I should take? I’ve done my google/tax card research on the surrounding land owners. Is there something else I should be asking the register of deeds? What kind of capital gains taxes should I expect to pay if I sold?

I wouldn’t really mind selling the home, especially if it goes for a premium, but it has finally begun to appreciate, so I don’t mind holding as well.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Before you waste a lot of time.

I would tend to agree about the mass mailings, but I haven't received one for the other home that shares the driveway. This particular one seems oddly specific. Who knows, though.

If you might consider selling, just call the number and see who it is and what their thoughts are. If both your houses are in the same name, they may just have sent the one card, even though they want both. You might be able to get a better price if they really want it.

GreatOne,

I never understand why LLs assume and prejudge.

So call them. Nothing to lose. Maybe they'll buy other property from you.

I keep all those cards and letters in a BUYERS LIST folder. Before I list with a realtor I call the card senders.

It's weird that so many clever investors and seasoned landlords seem to misunderstand the value of doing some research and being prepared. ie Going into a potential deal w eyes wide open.....Weird.

Yes...I agree (as stated above) that it's more than likely a mass mailing.

Yes...I know how to call a realtor (investor),and I will, but I would rather do it as an informed participant.

Yes...I throw away most of the postcards because it is people (like me) who are attempting to buy wholesale. I won't be selling my homes, and even if I do, it won't be wholesale.

Yes....as stated above, I enjoy the sleuthing and becoming more informed about the areas that I have chosen to invest in. Although this deal is unlikely to transpire, I will come out on the other end a more, well informed, human, having thought deeply about the best uses of the surrounding properties. Maybe even meet my fellow, next door, investors.