Answers by Linda Ritlinger

Based on your description, you may have a strong case for acquiring the second lot through adverse possession or a related legal concept, as you (and the previous owner) have treated the two lots as one unified, fenced property for over 20 years (2001- 2026). If I were you, I would get a consultation with a Real Estate/Land dispute attorney, and you can call the Bar Association for a referral if you or your friends don't automatically know of someone. You might call a regular Real Estate Attorney to start off with and see if they have any recommendations also. At the same time, I would also call the city and inquire as to how and why this occured at this point in time, who made those decisions, and take names, dates and times of any information you gather, an attorney may want all of that information. Good luck to you in this dilemma. Linda Ritlinger, Realtor/Broker Multi- Million Dollar Listing Agent. 336-312-3646 Triad/Piedmont Area NC.

You might have a situation of Adverse Possession if this has existed as one lot rather than two, but the difficulties here are as follows it seems. Your deed only shows one lot, not two? If that's correct then my question would be, who has the deed showing ownership to another? If I were you I would find an attorney who not only deals in Real Estate but also land disputes. I would also call the city and see who you need to speak to about this situation, taking names, dates, times you called, and all the information you can gather and take it to an attorney who will potentially either explain the legal situation to you and/or represent you if there is wrong doing. Good Luck to you. Linda Ritlinger, Realtor /Broker Multi-Million Dollar Seller in the Triad/Piedmont area NC.

What I would do in this instance has worked for me when I have been looking at places to market for clients. Most people on the weekends, weather permitting, are out tending to their lawns, playing with the children, and washing their cars. I would simply walk the area/street and explain who you are, that you're thinking of moving there, and how do they like living there. Tell them the house you intend to buy and/or are looking at, and after you get chatty and somewhat friendly ask the question, "How are the neighbors" if they have had any trouble there with them, do they get along with them okay, or any such information. Usually, neighbors are willing to tell you the bad stuff if there is any. I have never had a problem in this situation, walking and talking neighbors love to talk about their environment, love to tell you what they know, and potentially and prematurely welcome you to the neighborhood.

First of all, is it identified as a residential home, or is it considered under the DMV where it doesn't have a permanent foundation? If it is on a permanent foundation and considered a permanent residential home, let me reiterate this, never ever take out an equity loan. I have a lender who he specializes in renovation loans and the such like, and he can explain to you how that works, but never take out an equity loan on your home unless you want to gamble potentially losing it. You can contact me at [email protected] and I will glady give you that lenders information to contact him and see what his renovation loan consists of. In the meantime good luck to you, but contact me so I can give you that info. Linda.

Never ever use your home equity to renovate your home, unless you want to gamble losing it! I have a lender who does renovation loans and I would be glad to send you his information if you would care to receive it where he can tell you all what it entails. The first thing to establish is, is your home on a permanent foundation and deeded as such or are you still registered with the local DMV? It would have to be a permanent residence to receive any kind of renovation loan, so let me hear from you if you'd like that lenders information. Contact me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.

Realtors can help out with leasing land, but I'm going to tell you what I think in this instance would be better for you. I would go to a Property Management Company as that's what they do and all they do. Make sure it's one that deals in land leasing also, and set up yourself to ask a gazillion questions, but I would do that since you have a lot of acres and that land will have to have some pretty intense care of the quality of the land, soil, and anything else that it would include. I know that where I sold a home with 89 acres last year, and I learned all about the land, keeping it green and beautiful, all the nurturing it required, chemicals, the kind of grass to enhance it with and everything. Go to someone that knows it all and can take great care of your land so that, potentially, if you decide to sell it later, it will maintain a certain level of quality better than when it started!?

I specialize in Sellers coming to me after they were on the market for six months, my million dollar plus listing was on the market for a whole year with no traffic and no offers. My clients come to me when their homes have not sold, and, believe me, I dont' play with my clients at all. My multi-million dollar listing stayed on the market for a year, with little traffic and no sale. He came to me nd I had him sold in 7 months at market value. I worked very hard to achieve that it closed in October 2025. Same scenario with my luxury listing, they. had been on he market and didn't sell, I had them sold in November. One of my clients had been on the market 5 previous times before coming to me, I had her under contract over Christmas and closed in the New Year. Another two came to me, no sale while being on the market but they both came to me, I had both of them under contract in 31 days and sold a month later. This is my advice to you. If you're not happy with your Realtor, interview others, get friends referrals for other Realtors, or I would love to come and talk with you abot what I do to sell my clients homes when they have previously been on the market and not sold. I am a Top Producer and sold $2,400.000 last year when it is has been estimated that 71% of all Realtors in the country didn't sell one house in 2025, I sold five and became a multi-million dollar producer. Contact me, I live near you, 336-312-6346, Linda.

I would suggest selling it, they say it's currently a buyers market, however, they also say is will pick up again soon and that is typical where real estate does go up and down like a roller coaster. If you're going to rent a property, I would suggest a property management company. When I rented they only charged 10% of whatever your rental fell was, but that might have changed. I have a company that I refer my sellers to when they are renting, and I would be glad to give you that information if you'd like to contact me. They are the best I am told, and I sought them out where I was going to move and rent but then I decided not to move. You can contact me via text 336-312-6346 or email me at [email protected] If you choose to sell, interview three Realtors before you decide, and more if you don't feel comfortable with the ones you interviewed, get referrals from friends and church people, but know this, if something goes wrong, you may loose your church people and/or friends too! I look forward to hearing from you. Linda.