Minor neighbor issue... how big of a deal should I make it?

First off... sorry if this is the wrong forum, we do not have a property forum that I know of.

I will try to keep to the facts:

Wife and I own 1/4 acre in city and share common boundaries with neighbors who have similar size lots. Our neighbor to the west built a 4' foot fence diving the property - we do not have a fence to the north or south. The neighbor kitty-corner (northwest) is an older lady who walks two dogs around the block each morning. By the time she reaches our house she is approximately half way complete with her walk. Recently she has begun the habit of walking through our property to return home, so she does not have to complete the final 1/2 of the block.

As you might expect, this frustrates me (and my wife)... but I want to get a barometer on our action plans we thought of:

1. Do nothing... keep neighborly relations.
2. Talk to "northwest neighbor" and nicely probe to see if there is a medical condition or other reason this is occurring that we do not know of - if not, ask nicely that she discontinue this behavior. (This has the potential the cause "old-lady" feud.)
3. Build a fence.

I am aware that #1 is probably the best decision, and I am not that excited about #3. Wife really wants to do something and leans toward #2.

Thoughts? (please ask if I left out any relevant info)

Is she just walking through or letting her dogs go all over your property? I'd just let it go if its the first one and she's not doing any damage.

Would you constantly walk through someone's yard that you do not know very well?

I know I sure as hell would feel weird doing so, especially if I didn't know them and haven't previously talked to them about it. I don't think it's normal for her (or anyone) to make a habit of going through/into other people's yards. If a kid throws a ball over the fence or something and is going to reclaim it every now and then, that's a different story.

Maybe say something like you are getting your grass treated and would appreciate it she would keep off.

1) This is a finance forum. Does this question in any way relate to finance?

2) How does an old lady walking across your lawn negatively impact you in any way. Unless it is causing you some harm, just let it go. There is no reason to get on bad terms with a neighbor for a stupid reason.

So she enters your property at the very south and goes alongside the 4 ft fence on the west until it ends and she reaches her property to the NW ?

I'd do the sprinkler.

mow the lawn in your boxer.

If she's old, she will fall. If she falls, she will sue. If you know that she walks across your lawn, a lawyer will claim that you bear some responsibility for providing a safe walkway.

Tell her you saw some mice and you might have to put some rat poison, so if she could make sure the dogs don't enter your yard for a while.
Obviously DON'T actually put any poison.

I suggest a very angry dog on your property.

ok, set a couple bear traps on the path she takes and play loud music for a couple days. she will eventually bleed out.

I second two options here:

The first being just sunbathe nude and make sure you talk to the lady when she passes through a few times...maybe on very windy day too.

I also second the idea of bear traps. An under utilized tool these days that is sorely missed. Oh and keep bears nearby to let loose after the trap is sprung (you don't want those bears getting hurt now).

how is this finance related?

Whatev.

delson said:   I really do not mind people walk through my backyard if I do not build a fence. Friendly neighbor relationship is more valuable to me.

If her walk really make u discomfort, build fence from all boundaries - make yourself in "isolated island"

Good luck

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors. Don't need range wars or regulators roaming the suburban prairie.

Why can't people have adult conversations anymore? Geez. Go talk to her.

olvrtw said:   is it one of those cities where you can own guns? BELOIT!

bluechalk said:   You could try the passive-aggressive approach. Get a motion-activated sprinkler. Its made to deter animals, but I bet it works for people, too!

The second photo for this item is priceless ... LOL.

Even more on topic ... picture 13 uploaded by users ...

I kid you not, the caption is:

"Perfect for keeping those pesky elderly out of the yard! "

I don't find anything wrong with your objection. I might cut through a neighbor's yard like, ONCE, if I really needed to but never on a daily basis and only if I was on a first-name basis with them. If she doesn't really know you and she's doing it on a daily basis: Socially unnacceptable. Pretty rude, actually.

ShadowedBlade said:   bluechalk said:   You could try the passive-aggressive approach. Get a motion-activated sprinkler. Its made to deter animals, but I bet it works for people, too!

The second photo for this item is priceless ... LOL.

She looks like honey booboo.

here's the scarecrow in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5D3GKlTkpY