Can You Sell a House With a Boundary Dispute?

Maybe your neighbor sometimes uses part of your yard, and that arrangement has worked out for a while. They think it’s part of their yard, while you think it’s part of yours, but it’s never been a problem. But now, you want to sell your home, and that little spot is nagging at you.

Can you sell a house with a boundary dispute without getting into legal hot water? The Kind Home Buyer staff has seen our fair share of title issues in home sales. A contentious property line can hinder you when trying to sell your house fast.

Even so, here’s how to deal with one.

Boundary Disputes You May Face

Selling property with boundary issues usually involves one of the following disagreements:

Fence disputes: Disagreements over the placement, maintenance, or ownership of a boundary fence

Property line conflicts: Disagreements over the exact location of boundary lines, common with outdated or unclear survey records

Encroachment disputes: Structures belonging to one property owner that extend over agreed boundary lines, like sheds, fences, or trees

Land ownership disputes: Arguments over legal ownership of a piece of land, also common with outdated or unclear survey records

About Selling Property With Boundary Issues

Can you sell a house with a boundary dispute legally in the United States? Yes, but you must follow a few rules and note a few details. Obviously, selling property with boundary issues won’t come as easily as selling one without them.

Real Estate Disclosure Requirements

Many states, including Kentucky and Ohio, require you to disclose known boundary issues and ongoing disputes when filling out the property information form. Failing to do so could constitute fraud, and you could face legal action. You have some exemptions in Ohio, but only in specific cases:

• Bankruptcy, foreclosure, eminent domain, or probate transaction sales
• Sales to someone living on the property for the last two years
• Transfers between family members or co-owners
• Inherited homes the seller hasn’t occupied for the last year

Ramifications of a Boundary Dispute Home Sale

An unresolved boundary issue can make potential buyers wary and hesitant, leaving properties on the market longer. Finding your property line by looking at your title deed or consulting local land records can help resolve it. You can also try working things out during the sale to get it squared away before closing.

A Middletown Example of Selling a House With a Boundary Dispute

We recently purchased a property in Middletown that had an active boundary dispute preventing the seller from closing. When the buyer’s lender ordered a survey, it revealed that a home addition had been built over the neighboring property line. Because of this encroachment, the mortgage company would not approve the loan, and the neighbor had already filed a lawsuit over the issue. This created a title problem that made it impossible for the seller to move forward with a traditional sale.

We were still able to purchase the property as-is because we understood the risk and had a plan to resolve it. In this case, we removed the encroaching addition and corrected the boundary issue, allowing the title to be cleared. Situations like this are exactly why some sellers turn to direct buyers.  Traditional buyers using financing often cannot close when boundary disputes are involved.

Consider Home Buying Companies

Cash home buying companies may still buy houses with boundary disputes. They often have more resources for contending with the other party about the boundary line, though they may lower their offer to cover their expenses. If you need to sell your house fast for other opportunities, they can help you move on more quickly.

Call The Kind Home Buyer

Can you sell a house with a boundary dispute fast in Northern Kentucky and Ohio? You can with The Kind Home Buyer. Our team purchases properties for fair prices, even if you’re in a sticky situation.

We have experience dealing with all sorts of situations, including legal property disputes. Whether it involves a boundary issue or selling your house as-is, call (513) 951-8863 to discuss your options today.