Oklahoma Man Says County Intends to Sell Part of His Property

Imagine buying five acres of land and living blissfully on it for more than 30 years, until one day you find out that the county plans to sell off part of the land. But it’s not just any part; instead, it’s an area that is just inches from your house, potentially disrupting the peace you’ve come to know and love.

James Anderson says that’s the nightmare he’s dealing with right now after receiving a letter from Oklahoma County officials. Anderson told News9 about the document, saying that the county revealed they would be selling a 40-foot strip of land at auction.

However, Anderson believes that the area the letter is talking about is already his land, and part of the parcel he originally purchased from his grandfather back in 1994. But the county takes ownership of that section, saying that it was actually purchased by the county to build a road that never moved forward.

Anderson and the county are locked in a heated debate as the auction date approaches. And since Anderson doesn’t have the $29,000 bidding price the county is asking for, he has no idea what the future holds for him and the property that has been in his family for generations. 

The Retired Veteran Says He Has a Copy of the Deed Showing He Owns the Strip

After the letter arrived, Anderson went and checked on the paperwork he had from the purchase of his home. “I have a deed to this property that says I own the whole property when I bought it,” he told the outlet. “That’s what it says. Point blank, end of discussion.”

However, the county maintains that this particular 40-foot stretch of land, which they say includes part of Anderson’s property and a neighboring parcel, belongs to the county. Oklahoma County Assessor Larry Stein spoke with News9, saying that the paperwork on file shows that the land was purchased in 1916 with taxpayer money. As such, the county must auction it off to recoup the costs from the original purchase.

Anderson Doesn’t Have the Money to Pay the County

Unfortunately, the retired veteran says that money is too tight for him to splurge on a parcel he already owns, so he has been anxious about the situation ever since receiving the letter. “I am very anxious. I haven’t slept since then,” he shared.

The homeowner plans to take his issue to the Oklahoma County commissioners during their next meeting so he can plead his case. Typically, when disputes like this happen, Anderson Hunter Law Firm’s website says that landowners may need to get a property dispute attorney involved. These lawyers have special training that makes them better suited to handle these types of issues.

Depending on whether Anderson took out title insurance when he purchased his property, he may also be able to reach out to the original title company. However, since 30 years have gone by, that may prove to be a bit more complicated.

Hopefully Anderson is able to get some answers soon. This sounds like a very stressful situation, especially considering how close the tract of land is to his house.