Short Answer
You must disclose any known boundary disputes to potential buyers. A boundary dispute can complicate or prevent a sale because it creates uncertainty about what is being sold. You may need to resolve the dispute before closing through a boundary line agreement, a quiet title action, or by getting a survey to establish the true boundary. Many buyers will not purchase a property with an unresolved boundary dispute.
A boundary dispute occurs when you and a neighbor disagree on where the property line is located. This can involve fences, driveways, sheds, or other structures that may encroach onto a neighbor's property or vice versa. When selling a home with a boundary dispute, you must disclose it in the seller's disclosure statement. Most buyers will be hesitant to purchase a property with an unresolved boundary dispute because it creates legal uncertainty and potential future costs. Resolving the dispute before listing is usually the best approach. Options include hiring a surveyor to establish the true boundary, negotiating a boundary line agreement with the neighbor, or filing a quiet title action in court to resolve the dispute legally. A boundary line agreement, where both parties agree to a specific boundary line, is often the simplest and most cost-effective solution. If the dispute cannot be resolved before closing, you may need to sell to a cash buyer or investor who is willing to take on the risk.
Bob's Advice
Redfin Senior Agent · AI Certified Agent
Boundary disputes are stressful, but they are usually resolvable. I have helped sellers work through fence lines and driveway disagreements with neighbors before closing. The key is addressing it head on rather than hoping the buyer will not notice. A survey and a conversation with the neighbor can often resolve the issue for a few hundred dollars. If you have a boundary issue, let us talk about it now so we can address it before your home goes on the market.
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