When “Oops!” Doesn’t Cut It: Right House, Wrong Lot

It’s the kind of story that could only come out of Florida.

So, you’re having a home built. You picked out your land, bought your plot, agonized over the upgrades you couldn’t live without, and signed all the papers. Nothing to do but sit back and watch as your perfect nest goes up, right?

Not necessarily – just ask Mark and Brenda Voss of Missouri.

This is Casa Voss in all its glory. Too bad it’s on land belonging to the wrong family! Photo: Bay News 9

The couple paid $160,000 for Lot 12 in the Ocean Hammock gated subdivision of Flagler County, Florida. They worked with Keystone Homes to draw up plans for an exquisite three-story dream home, complete with double balconies, sweeping picture windows, and an elegant tiled roof. The good news is that the home is complete. To the best of my knowledge, it fits the specs exactly. The home with the land underneath it is valued at $680,000.

The problem? It was built on Lot 11.

If it seems inconceivable that such a screw-up could occur with a professional and respected builder, you aren’t alone. A rep the county blames the snafu on the fact that one surveyor took the initial survey for the land, and then stopped working with the company. A second surveyor then came in, but it’s currently unclear whether number two completed the first survey or started a new (obviously incorrect) one. Keystone is, unsurprisingly, keeping mum on the situation. The county spokesman says that the building inspector signed off on the construction with the assumption that the surveyor(s) had correctly identified the lot.

It’s unclear right now how the problem will work itself out. Moving the house has been floated as one solution, albeit an expensive, laborious, and somewhat ludicrous one. Negotiating with the owners of Lot 11 is another proposition.

Look on the bright side: no matter how your day at work goes today, it’s unlikely to result in a disaster as epic as this one!