My Neighbor's House Listed at ½ a mill

I always thought that my property was bigger than that of my neighbor. That house is listed at half a million as of this weekend... There's a story there!
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7,640.42 is the listed square footage of their lot and the house is 1,612 (same metrics, of course!). My tiny house is 910 square feet. The lot is 6,507 square feet.

That means that their lot is 1,133.42 square feet larger and the house size is 702 square feet larger. One other big difference... my house was built in 1922 and theirs was built in 1964.

To those who might not understand subdivisions of county property, here's a download created by the new-fangled artificial intelligence. Stop when you feel you are at the point of being bored to tears. (I have continued writing in black below all this).

In _____ County, a lot subdivision, also known as a lot split, generally means dividing a single property into two or more lots. The process involves creating new property lines and may require specific zoning and planning approvals. Different types of lot subdivisions exist, such as compact lot subdivisions and small lot subdivisions, each with their own rules and regulations.

Here's a more detailed look at lot subdivision in _____ County:
1. Eligibility and Regulations:

• Zoning:
  The property must be within a single-family residence zone (R-1, R-A) for standard lot splits. Small lot subdivisions can be in multi-family zones.
• Lot Size:
  After splitting, each new lot must meet minimum size requirements (at least 1,200 square feet for standard splits). Compact lots have different minimum size requirements.
• Dwelling Units:
  The split cannot result in more than two dwelling units per parcel unless the property is zoned for multi-family dwellings.
• Ratio of Splits:
  The split ratio cannot be greater than 60/40.
• Owner Occupancy:
  Owner occupancy on one of the lots is generally required for at least three years.
• Existing Units:
  The split cannot result in the demolition of existing occupied or rented dwelling units within the last three years.
• SB9:
  SB9 (Senate Bill 9) allows for lot splits under certain conditions, including single-family zoning and specific lot size requirements.

2. Types of Subdivisions:

• Standard Lot Splits:
  Dividing a single-family zoned lot into two lots, with each lot generally meeting minimum size requirements.
• Compact Lot Subdivisions:
  Allowing smaller single-family lots (less than 5,000 sq ft) in multi-family zones.
• Small Lot Subdivisions:
  Permitting smaller lots, often in the form of townhouses or rowhouses, in certain zones.
• SB9 Subdivisions:
  Lot splits under SB9, typically in single-family zones.

3. Application Process:

• Survey:
  A surveyor will need to map out the property boundaries and provide necessary documentation.
• Tentative Map:
  A tentative map, which is a preliminary plan of the subdivision, is filed with the _____ County Planning Department.
• Review:
  The tentative map is reviewed by the County Subdivision Committee, which includes various departments like Planning, Public Works, and Fire.
• Final Map:
  After approval of the tentative map, a final map and associated improvement plans are filed and recorded through Public Works.

4. Key Documents and Approvals:

• Ownership & Consent Affidavit: A notarized affidavit from all property owners consenting to the subdivision.
• Letter of Authorization: If someone other than the owner or subdivider signs the application, a letter of authorization signed by all property owners is required.
• Final Map: A final map must be recorded before any construction.

5. Contact Information:

• _____ County Planning: For information on zoning, planning permits, and subdivisions.
• _____ County Public Works: For information on improvement plans, permits, and the final map process.

Note: It's essential to consult with the appropriate _____ County agency (Planning or Public Works) for specific details and requirements related to your property and the type of subdivision you are planning.

This has been orchestrated over years. The house is located behind mine on a common easement (ingress/egress). I call it a house behind a house behind a house. I'm #2. The house for sale is #3. That house was occupied by a family that lived with the services of Housing Urban Development (HUD).

HUD stands for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is a federal agency responsible for overseeing federal housing programs, ensuring decent and affordable housing, and promoting community development across the nation. HUD administers federal aid to local housing agencies that manage housing for low-income residents and works to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities for all.

I think it's a good thing that HUD exists. Those neighbors raised a family in that house and saw grandchildren on the weekends. The elderly couple eventually moved on(ward). I had looked at the house myself, but I realize that it would have been outside my price range.

My home is significantly less and--truth be told--the property is worth much than the house itself. I have no plans to move. My monthly expense is affordable even without any tenants or housemates. I have a yard, a large shed, and fruit trees as well. I enjoy the quality of my life. I don't have loud parties and get-togethers with foot traffic. There's no visible gang activity and graffiti is cleaned up quickly. My search(es) on the Meghan's Law website or not so hopeful.

More on that for another day!

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I finally got to go inside the house. It's got four bedrooms, not three. The door on the detached garage has been tampered with. The house is being sold as is. I so dislike the traffic that has been brought about by this empty place. Sometimes I wish I just had a lottery winning in my credit union account.