Nobody likes a nosy neighbor; one that just can’t seem to mind their own business. Sometimes, neighbors can be more than intrusive—they can turn your life into a living nightmare. There's only so much that folks can take.\nWhen Sam and Jackson moved into their new neighborhood, they tried their best to keep to themselves. But after their next-door neighbor Linda started causing chaos, they decided they wouldn't put up with it any longer. Little did Linda know that karma was about to teach her a valuable and expensive lesson she would never forget."],"image":{"name":"teg5vg8z8o2ovkn4.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":724},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":402}}}},{"text":["

Sam Sanders and Jackson Ferris had finally found the perfect neighborhood. They’d been searching for a place like this for what felt like ages. This neighborhood, with its big, quiet streets and tall trees called to them.\nThe neighbors were mostly older folks who kept to themselves, nodding politely but never prying. For Sam and Jackson, this was exactly what they wanted—a peaceful, drama-free haven where everyone minded their own business. They felt right at home—until Linda came along."],"title":"Meet Sam and Jackson","image":{"name":"wyznpsbp3eylan5v.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":721},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

From the first time they met her, and from random whisperings they’d heard throughout the neighborhood, Sam and Jackson could tell that Linda was the kind of neighbor who kept a close watch on the lives of everyone around her. \nLiving alone and retired for years, Linda was known to fill her days by keeping tabs on anything she could find. She missed nothing—every car that pulled into the driveway, every visitor, and every change in the neighborhood. It didn’t take long for Sam and Jackson to see that Linda was going to be a problem."],"title":"The Lady Next Door","image":{"name":"0lg2zp4rxxf0d5hs.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":719},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Sam and Jackson chose this neighborhood to avoid nosy neighbors and unnecessary attention. Above all, they valued their privacy. But they knew it was only a matter of time before Linda introduced herself to them. \nOne evening, just days after they’d moved in, Linda appeared on their doorstep, her knuckles rapping loudly against the door. Peering out through the window, Jackson saw her sickly smile and a plate of cookies in her hand. Immediately, he felt a sense of suspicion. He would soon find out he should've trusted his instincts."],"title":"An Introduction","image":{"name":"anc3pd3omt83qu07.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":722},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

With a deep breath, Jackson opened the door with Sam by his side to find a middle-aged woman standing there, beaming widely. \"Why, hello there! My name is Linda. I just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood,\" she chirped, holding out the cookies. \nJackson smiled and thanked her, trying to keep the exchange short and neighborly. But as she not-so-subtly tried to peek past them into their house, the alarm bells in Jackson’s head went off. "],"title":"Overly Friendly","image":{"name":"qj9i3f2jkm1w7pkn.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":721},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Jackson subtly pulled the door a bit closer, hoping to send the message that she didn’t need to be peering into their business. Linda’s cheerful smile tightened ever so slightly, but she didn’t miss a beat.\n“Well, that’s all,” she said with a tense smile. “I hope you settle in easily. And if you ever need anything—or have questions about the neighborhood regulations—don’t hesitate to ask,” she went on. Linda turned and began to walk away, her heels tapping briskly down the steps. Relieved, Jackson turned, rolling his eyes as he made his way back inside—that was until he heard “Oh, and one more thing…”"],"title":"One More Thing","image":{"name":"b4ml99ywvb0k9wjp.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

Jackson turned to see Linda standing in his driveway, eyes fixed on the two cars parked there. Her face was pinched with disapproval. “Are both of these cars yours or is someone visiting?” she asked. “Because driveways are only allowed one car per household—” she continued.\n“Goodbye, Linda,” Jackson said firmly, cutting her off before she could finish. He didn’t have the patience to entertain this nonsense. He shut the door, leaving her standing in the driveway, mouth open in shock. But Linda would soon make sure Jackson understood that she wasn’t just being neighborly—she was serious."],"title":"Might Be a Problem","image":{"name":"tw0hx4mfd1u608t1.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":714},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":396}}}},{"text":["

Linda made it her mission to monitor Sam and Jackson's every move. Every day, she paid close attention to their comings and goings, keeping track of how often each car was out of the driveway. It didn’t matter if they returned late at night or left at dawn—each time, Sam and Jackson would catch a glimpse of her silhouette in the window, peeking from behind the curtains.\nThey tried to brush it off. After all, they were on their own property, doing nothing wrong. They couldn't help but wonder why she was so interested in their every move."],"title":"Under Surveillance","image":{"name":"uxasl3x8y0tkmbmr.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

At first, Linda’s constant surveillance made them uneasy. But as weeks passed, her prying seemed to die down, and they figured she’d found something else to occupy her time. Eventually, they stopped paying her any mind, relieved to feel the weight of her eyes off their backs.\nBut then, as their jobs shifted to remote work, they settled into a new, quieter routine at home. They were no longer taking the cars out every day, which raised alarms for Linda. She wouldn't be able to ignore it for much longer—she was about to make a big move."],"title":"Suspiciously Quiet","image":{"name":"73hi5migry8knc32.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":717},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}},{"text":["

One afternoon, Sam stepped outside to toss a bag in the trash when she noticed something unusual. The driveway and porch were weirdly empty—and then her eyes landed on a note tucked under the windshield wiper of their car.\nWith a sigh, Sam pulled it out and read the scrawled message, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. She rolled her eyes, crumpling the note slightly before heading back inside to show Jackson. This was getting ridiculous. "],"title":"A Note","image":{"name":"4jaz1o6xlvhyn52w.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

Sam stepped inside the house, locking the door behind her. She peeked through the window to see if Linda had made an appearance. Once she made sure the coast was clear, she headed down to the basement where their home offices were set up. She held the note in front of Jackson.\n“Guess what?” she said, her tone dripping with irritation. “Our nosy neighbor left us a ‘friendly warning.’” Jackson barely looked up, waving her off. “Ignore it. She’s harmless,” he said casually, returning to his work. But Sam couldn’t shake her unease. Linda didn’t feel harmless—not in the slightest."],"title":"Ignore It","image":{"name":"k0s2l0cddox0pwdk.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":722},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

Still, the pair had bigger things than a nosy neighbor to worry about, including this huge assignment they were working on. Sam and Jackson had been holed up in the house for three straight days, completely absorbed in their work. It demanded their full focus and energy, leaving them sleeping in shifts, with one of them glued to their computers at all times.\nOn the fourth day, Jackson slept soundly in the corner while Sam worked, her eyelids starting to feel heavy as the hours dragged on. Just as she began to nod off, a piercing, insistent beeping jolted her awake. She froze, her heart racing. What on earth was that sound?"],"title":"Absorbed in Work","image":{"name":"4yiqc2n59k6bps7q.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":715},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":397}}}},{"text":["

Sam smacked Jackson’s arm, snapping him awake, and they both scrambled upstairs and out the door. They stopped dead in their tracks as they took in the sight before them.\nA tow truck had hooked up one of their cars, and a second guy was securing the other, both of their vehicles moments away from being hauled off to the lot. Standing a few feet away, watching the whole thing unfold with a smug grin on her face was Linda. "],"title":"Caught Off Guard","image":{"name":"8qpv2ttjc57bev3x.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Jackson looked on in shock—he couldn't believe Linda had stooped so low. They’d been parked in their own driveway on their own property—who were they hurting? Now, thanks to her, they were about to lose hours of crucial work with their equipment locked inside the cars. Their boss would be furious.\nBut Sam just patted Jackson’s arm reassuringly, a mischievous glint sparking in her eyes. Without a word, she strode over to Linda, matching her smug grin with one of her own. Whatever she was planning, Jackson could tell she was ready to fight fire with fire."],"title":"Stooping Low","image":{"name":"q1t472mvsk72w2vz.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":724},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":402}}}},{"text":["

Sam didn’t even bother to argue with the tow truck drivers. She stood silently next to Linda, watching as both cars were towed away down the street. When they were out of sight, she turned to Linda, flashing a bright, unsettling smile.\nLinda’s smug expression flickered as Sam chuckled lightly. “Wow! You really did it, huh?” she said. For a second, Linda hesitated, taken aback by the unexpected reaction, but she quickly straightened, hands on her hips, determined to stand her ground."],"title":"Big Mistake","image":{"name":"pa8ecrud8my3gn2l.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

“Sam I told you multiple times—only one car per driveway. It’s a safety regulation. If you weren’t going to follow it, something needed to be done. After all someone has to keep the neighborhood safe,” she began. Sam threw her head back and laughed, the sound ringing through the air.\nLinda’s expression twisted into confusion. “Well, what’s so funny?” she demanded, her face scrunching as if Sam had just told her an unbelievable joke. This clearly wasn’t the response Linda had been expecting."],"title":"Her Argument","image":{"name":"pxaqv3njjwo0kdda.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

Jackson had been finishing up a quick phone call on the porch as the two women spoke. After a few minutes, he hung up and walked over to join Sam and Linda, catching the tail end of the conversation.\nLinda’s expression was tight with irritation, while Sam stood there with a smirk. Jackson gave Sam a quick nod before she turned back to Linda. “Nothing,” Sam said, her voice dripping with amusement. “Just the fact that you owe us $250,000 now,” she continued."],"title":"Good Chuckle","image":{"name":"lf524as1jdm20fxi.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Linda’s eyes widened, clearly shaken by the statement. “What—what do you mean?” she stammered. Sam couldn’t help but chuckle again, the amusement clear on her face. “Well, did you take a look at the car’s tags before you had them towed? Bet you didn’t get what those three stars meant,” she said.\nLinda furrowed her brows, but Sam already knew the answer. After all, who would notice something so small besides the people driving the cars? Before she could say anything else, Sam and Jackson headed back towards their house, leaving Linda standing there speechless."],"title":"Taken Aback","image":{"name":"dkw19xt45hfwetrl.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":719},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

“Wait, what do you mean? You can’t just say something like that and turn away from me! I demand you come back here right now!” Linda’s voice trembled, a mix of confusion and frustration. But Sam and Jackson kept walking.\nSam threw one last glance over her shoulder, her tone calm. “You’ll find out soon enough. Good luck, Linda,” she called out, as she turned and stepped inside, the door closing softly behind her. She would soon get what was coming to her. "],"title":"Please Explain","image":{"name":"l4s7w9ffftj7um8y.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Inside, Jackson’s phone rang again. Sam stood by the window, watching Linda standing in their driveway, looking completely flustered. She glanced back at Jackson, who was speaking with their boss, confirming the details of their next move.\nThe conversation was brief, but Sam could tell by the tone of Jackson's voice that everything would be taken care of. This wasn’t good, not by a long shot, but it was going to be okay. When a loud knocking sounded through the house the next morning, Sam and Jackson knew their problems would be solved sooner rather than later."],"title":"On the Phone","image":{"name":"jk7w8ogkrsxevfiu.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":722},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

Standing on their front porch was a man in a sharp suit, his dark sunglasses covering most of his face, leaving his expression unreadable. They shook his hand as Jackson spoke. “Mr. Douglas, great to see you. Sorry about this mess. We should’ve known she would cause issues.”\nMr. Douglas nodded, his voice calm but efficient. “That’s quite alright. Let’s just sort this out. Would one of you like to join me to talk to Mrs. Linda Bryers?” “I’ll go,” Sam replied without hesitation. She glanced at Jackson, who nodded, and they stepped out the door."],"title":"Mr. Douglas","image":{"name":"v2b0eiqz1bf0djqx.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":710},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":394}}}},{"text":["

They walked up to Linda's house and Sam knocked firmly. Moments later, the door creaked open. Linda stood there, her face a mix of confusion and slight fluster as she took in the sight of a man standing beside Sam. \nBut the real shock came when Sam and Mr. Douglas flashed their government IDs and introduced themselves as federal agents. Linda’s mouth dropped open, eyes wide with disbelief. Her mind seemed to scramble for an explanation, but Mr. Douglas didn’t give her the chance. “Mrs. Bryers, We need to have a conversation about your recent actions,\" he began."],"title":"Knock at the Door ","image":{"name":"0d78643ki9vwmb2k.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":737},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":410}}}},{"text":["

Mr. Douglas didn’t waste any time. His voice was firm as he informed Linda of the gravity of the situation. “You’ve had several government vehicles towed that were part of an ongoing federal surveillance operation.” Linda’s face drained of color. She opened her mouth, stammering, “I—I didn’t know, I thought—”\nMr. Douglas cut her off, his face unmoving. “This was a high-priority case. And now, thanks to your actions, the entire investigation has been disrupted. You realize how serious this is, don’t you?” he went on. Sam watched the color drain from Linda’s face."],"title":"Serious Ramifications","image":{"name":"cmz0j7qsumhoksmh.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":730},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":405}}}},{"text":["

The realization seemed to hit Linda all at once, and she choked out a nervous, shaky attempt at an apology. “I didn’t mean to—I didn’t know… I’m so sorry,” she began. But Mr. Douglas and Sam didn’t budge, their expressions unmoved by her sudden change of heart.\nWithout saying a word, Mr. Douglas handed Linda a thick document. “This is a list of fines and fees you now owe,” he stated flatly. “Not just for the towing costs, but for the damages caused by obstructing a federal operation,” he continued. Linda’s hands trembled as she skimmed the document, her eyes widening in disbelief. "],"title":"Immediate Regret","image":{"name":"zeun3oaqte8co1n8.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":722},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

The numbers were staggering—she could be facing up to $250,000 in fines. The weight of it all made her feel lightheaded. Linda’s pleas became more frantic as she watched the agents step away. “Can’t we work something out?” she asked, her voice quivering. “I can make a payment plan, or maybe… maybe there’s something I can do to make up for it?” she pleaded.\nMr. Douglas barely glanced back, his expression steely. “Any negotiations on payment will need to go through the Department of Finance. This is out of our hands now,” he said sternly. Linda’s face crumpled, tears pooling in her eyes. “I was only trying to keep the neighborhood safe,” she said quietly. Mr. Douglas turned back once more. "],"title":"Pleading Her Case","image":{"name":"s9acbqf8jfttwvgy.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":724},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":402}}}},{"text":["

“Ma’am, it would be wise to keep to yourself from now on. Thanks to your petty actions, our operation has suffered a serious setback—possibly beyond repair. Next time, consider staying out of what you don’t understand,” he said, his voice low and firm.\nWith that, he turned and strode back toward Sam and Jackson’s house, Sam falling in step beside him without a second glance in Linda’s direction. Maybe now, Linda would understand what it meant to mind her own business, Sam thought, as they entered their house once again. Now, it was time to clean up this mess. "],"title":"Strict Warning","image":{"name":"jvryb5dgbcy8ms4a.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":722},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

Inside, Mr. Douglas sat with Sam and Jackson, assessing the damage and recalculating the next steps. The lost progress on their surveillance operation was a significant setback, and the discussion turned to whether they could salvage any part of the case or if they’d need to relocate entirely.\n“We’ll regroup, start fresh elsewhere. Unfortunately, Linda’s interference compromised this location,” Mr. Douglas finally concluded. Then Mr. Douglas shook hands with Sam and Jackson, bidding them goodbye and leaving them to pack up and prepare for yet another move."],"title":"Let’s Finish Up","image":{"name":"pediygjoaz3j0dhb.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":722},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

As they packed, Sam and Jackson couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony of it all. Despite their meticulous planning, it was a nosy neighbor with nothing better to do who managed to upend their operation—even if only temporarily. \nThe thought of this incident spreading through the agency was almost worse than the setback itself. Jackson shook his head, grinning. “We’ll never hear the end of it. ‘Brought down by a civilian.’ We’ll be legends,” he said. Sam laughed, shaking her head. It was a frustrating twist, but at least they could walk away with a story they'd never forget."],"title":"The Irony","image":{"name":"28mosln6ouw44no3.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":710},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":395}}}},{"text":["

The next morning, Sam and Jackson climbed into a fellow agent’s car towards the lot, antsy to make sure their cars were untouched. As they headed to the lot, they noticed Linda peering out from her window, her face a mixture of curiosity and unease.\nSam couldn’t help but smirk, nudging Jackson. She knew the fine would likely hang over Linda’s head for some time, but they had bigger things to worry about. As they rolled back into the driveway, both of them took one last look at the quiet street. Whatever happened here was officially behind them."],"title":"Moving On","image":{"name":"6gf9hhi1g4zz2p3r.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":715},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":397}}}},{"text":["

While Linda convinced herself she was acting for the greater good, in reality, her well-meaning meddling only disrupted those around her and landed her in serious trouble with the government. Her determination to enforce her own rules turned out to be more of a nuisance than a help.\nStill, we can only hope that Linda finds a way to navigate this unexpected brush with the law and that Sam and Jackson are able to resume their work without any further complications"],"title":"Looking to the Future ","image":{"name":"xdc4faos3nknrnui.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":713},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":396}}}}]}; window.__cf = (window.__cf || {}); window.__cf.nextArticleData = {"meta":{"id":"cms-7990","title":"Rude Neighbor Won’t Stop Causing Trouble, Woman Gets Revenge By Buying Her House","code":"buyho","category":"Story","subCategory":"Community,Fiction","lang":"en","version":"shz","fullCode":"buyhoenshz","lastTimePublished":"2024-05-22_17-58","createdAt":"2023-05-21T11:04:13.714Z","date":"2024-05-22","author":"Gabby A","nextArticle":{"id":"cms-10405"},"originalSite":"beautifultrendstoday.com"},"blocks":[{"text":["

When you buy a new home, you spend hours trying to find the perfect neighborhood that has good schools, is close to your job, and is safe. But there's probably one thing you've overlooked: your neighbors. Having bad neighbors can make your life a living nightmare.\nWhen Taylor and Andrew Sandoval moved into a new home, they were excited about a quiet life in a new neighborhood. But after their next-door neighbor started causing chaos, Taylor decided she wouldn’t put up with it any longer. Left with no other option, she came up with the perfect plan to get revenge."],"image":{"name":"vqb7wxuckjohg9v0.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Taylor and Andrew Sandoval met in business school, and the two went on to become majorly successful entrepreneurs, both amongst the youngest and wealthiest folks in America under 40.\nAfter working hard for over a decade, the two were ready for a change of scenery. They wanted something a bit quieter than they were used to, so they began to look for a new home. However, they had no idea their world was about to be turned upside down."],"title":"Meet the Sandovals","image":{"name":"rsx7w1c0jv0g1gdy.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":715},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":397}}}},{"text":["

For a while, the Sandovals lived year-round in a house in the Hamptons, alongside many other couples who seemed to be in a similar position in life. But the Sandovals never really felt like they fit in. \nThey’d grown tired of the toxic social scene that was typical of the area. They no longer wanted to spend their money and their time trying to keep up appearances with their shallow and irritating neighbors. It was time to move to a place that fit their lifestyle a bit more. Before long, they stumbled upon the perfect neighborhood."],"title":"Tired of the Hamptons","image":{"name":"3bktah5vemvpndwq.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":726},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":404}}}},{"text":["

A comfortable distance away from the Hamptons, the Sandovals found a cute suburb in Virginia, called Vienna. The houses were beautiful, the streets were clean, and they weren’t too far away from any amenities.\nA few weeks later, the couple signed a contract and packed up their whole life. They set off on a quick day trip down to Virginia and were soon pulling up behind a pink SUV to the gorgeous house they were going to make their home. However, things wouldn’t go as smoothly as they hoped. "],"title":"New Neighborhood","image":{"name":"81wxmqokdy19cx7f.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Alena Darmel/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":623},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":346}}}},{"text":["

Taylor and Andrew looked up at the house in front of them. Things felt right. Andrew kissed his wife on her forehead and then the two got to work. They began unpacking the truck and unloading each of the boxes they could carry on their own. A crew was coming to help them unpack the larger pieces of furniture, but for now, they wanted to do as much as they could themselves. \nWhile walking up the driveway with one of the boxes, Taylor almost swore she saw someone looking in between the slats of the fence from next door. But she shook her head, thinking little of it. If only she had paid more attention. "],"title":"Moving In","image":{"name":"5hy84ey1xdp196fo.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":725},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":403}}}},{"text":["

It took a week for them to get everything they needed through the door. Though moving took a while, the Sandovals were pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and kindness of their neighbors, who one by one, came over and introduced themselves to the young couple. \nBy the end of the week, their kitchen was full of flowers and baked goods from the families who lived around them. They were exhausted, but the kindness of their neighbors made them feel better. Maybe this neighborhood would be exactly what they needed, they told each other. Unfortunately, the Sandovals had no idea how wrong they’d be. "],"title":"Warm Greeting","image":{"name":"lfnsuqi6ipbkgqlb.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

At the end of the week, Taylor and Andrew realized they had a ton of trash from moving. It was too late to run to the landfill, and trash day was tomorrow, so they consolidated the waste as much as possible. \nWhat they couldn’t fit, they stacked as nicely as possible next to the cans and went back inside without a second thought, exhausted after an intense week of moving. But when they woke up in the morning, they couldn't believe their eyes. "],"title":"Problems Begin","image":{"name":"yejh4aqdc08n7ddk.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":722},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

Taylor woke up the next morning and went into the kitchen to make a coffee. As she waited for the espresso machine, she looked out her window, only to see something that made her gasp. \nAll of the trash they had put next to the trashcan had been strewn across their lawn. Boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and more were covering every inch of their front lawn. “Andrew!” she yelled and ran outside. Her sleepy husband joined her on the porch, his eyes slowly widening as he took in the sight in front of him."],"title":"Covering the Lawn","image":{"name":"f8q2h6vel23pw6s8.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":727},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":404}}}},{"text":["

They spent an hour collecting all of the trash and putting it into bags, unhappy that this was what they had to deal with this morning. Since the trash trucks had already come, they packed the trash into their car and drove it to the landfill. \nBut their problems didn’t stop there. When they got back to their house, a pink SUV was parked right in front of their driveway, blocking them from pulling in. Frustrated, Andrew parked across the street, and the two marched up to their next-door neighbor’s door. Just who did she think she was?"],"title":"Bad Morning","image":{"name":"5racf1b5pagdf0t5.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Andrew knocked on the door, while Taylor waited, her foot tapping. But there was no response. Clearly, their neighbor was in her house—her car was parked in front of their driveway for goodness sake. \nAnnoyed, Andrew knocked again, this time a bit harder. Still, there was no answer. “Hello? Anyone home?” he yelled, only to be met with silence. Suddenly too tired and too annoyed to deal with this, the couple simply left the porch and went back to their house. They’d deal with her another time. Little did they know, the problems were just getting started. "],"title":"Piece of Their Mind","image":{"name":"n23k96to8fpcjkqr.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

A week later, on Saturday, there was a knock on their front door at eight o’clock in the morning. At first, Andrew couldn't bring himself to wake up fully, but the knocking got louder. Groaning, Andrew put his slippers on and went down the stairs to the door. \nWhen he opened the door, he was surprised to see a police officer standing in front of him. “Hi there, sir. Is there something I can help you with?” Andrew said. Good morning, sir. I’m sorry to bother you so early, but I have a few questions,\" the police officer responded. "],"title":"Unwelcome Guest","image":{"name":"g3slqec6vixkz0qf.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":634},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":352}}}},{"text":["

Too tired to argue, Andrew opened the door wider and allowed the police officer to come in. “Thank you, Mr. Sandoval. We’ve received some complaints about this house. Suspicious activity, some noise complaints, things like that. Do you have any idea what I’m talking about?” he asked.\nAs Andrew listened, he was suddenly awake, and his confusion was replaced by anger. “Sir, I appreciate you doing your job, but we’ve been sleeping all night. My wife and I just moved into this house, and we never fight. I don’t know who’s complaining, but you need to check your sources better,” he said, trying his best to hide his annoyance. But Andrew wasn't expecting the officer's response. "],"title":"Complaint Filed","image":{"name":"syu1fw0hphgqrkgw.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":543},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":302}}}},{"text":["

To Andrew’s surprise, the officer agreed with him. “You’re right, sir. We just have to respond to complaints like this, no matter how odd they sound. I’m sorry again for bothering you. I’ll see myself out,” the officer said. Andrew walked him out. \nHe went back upstairs and got back into bed, hoping to fall back asleep for a few hours. When he got to the bedroom, Taylor was awake, asking him who was at the door. He told her what had happened, and she became just as upset as he had. “What is going on? Is someone conspiring against us?” she asked. Taylor had no clue how close to the truth she was. "],"title":"Conspiring Against Them","image":{"name":"r7zz9kywpab385en.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Even though they hoped the worst was behind them, the Sandovals would find out in the next week that indeed, someone was messing with them. One day, they came home to find a huge branch from their tree that had been hanging over their neighbor’s fence had been chopped off and thrown into their driveway. \nThe next day, they found piles of weeds that had been cleared from the sidewalk in front of their house and thrown onto their front porch. While these things were deeply annoying, they weren’t even the worst part. "],"title":"Another Week Passes","image":{"name":"2ruopvq9jkno7f0e.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":719},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

The whole week, the pink SUV had been parked in front of their driveway. At first, the Sandovals really didn’t want to deal with their neighbor, who clearly had a problem with them. \nBut after a week of this, they’d had enough. They had just moved into their house—they had a right to park in their own driveway. If their neighbor wasn’t willing to answer her door and talk to them, they would have to make her listen. Luckily, they had the perfect solution."],"title":"The Pink Car","image":{"name":"py2wgumcw6ck8wcb.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":647},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":360}}}},{"text":["

The Sandovals watched from their window as, 15 minutes later, a tow truck turned down their street and stopped in front of their house. The man got out of the truck and began hooking up the wires to the car, only to stop when a woman started running towards him. \nTheir neighbor had finally emerged from her house and was waving frantically at the man driving the tow truck. Taylor and Andrew watched as she spoke to him, clearly panicked. She must have said something convincing because he unhooked the car. He drove off, and she pulled her car into her own driveway and went inside her house once more. This was the Sandovals’ opportunity. "],"title":"Tow Truck","image":{"name":"n15cc6hvsqkgp5hk.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":681},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":378}}}},{"text":["

As soon as the tow truck disappeared, the Sandovals left their house and went to their neighbor’s porch. Once again, they tried knocking at the door only to be met with silence. “Mrs. Higgins, we know you’re in there. We just saw you go inside. It’s time to come out and talk,” Taylor called, hoping her neighbor would finally be willing to put aside her issue with her neighbors. \nStill, there was no answer, no matter how hard they pounded on the door. Dejected and annoyed, the Sandovals went back to their house, but Taylor’s mind was whirling. How could she make her neighbor listen?"],"title":"Got Her Now","image":{"name":"5w5i1qgxyqp4pbd2.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":690},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":384}}}},{"text":["

When they got back home, they began to discuss what they could do. This was getting ridiculous, and clearly, resorting to calling a tow truck wasn't enough to change anything. But something had to be done—they had just moved there, and they wouldn't let an annoying neighbor ruin their life. \nScouring the internet for ideas or inspiration, Taylor spent a few hours trying to come up with something that could help. Then, suddenly, she had an idea. It was a bit crazy, but it just might work. "],"title":"Starting to Brainstorm","image":{"name":"hulmyc96qojz83j6.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Peter Olexa/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":663},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":369}}}},{"text":["

Taylor picked up the phone and dialed the number she saw on the webpage in front of her. A voice suddenly picked up on the other line. “Hi there, I have a question for you, regarding a property in Vienna, Virginia,” Taylor said to the man. \nShe asked important questions, hoping to get as much detail as possible, and jotted down some notes. After a 10-minute conversation, Taylor felt like she had everything she needed. “Thanks so much for all your help. We’ll be in touch,” she told him. Now, all she needed to do was to check with her husband. "],"title":"Looking Into It","image":{"name":"qobnhc6xpyrtopb5.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":729},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":405}}}},{"text":["

The next morning, Taylor spent hours going through her and her husband’s finances, making spreadsheets and lists. In the evening, she brought her husband to the dining table where she had laid everything out perfectly. “Honey, I have a proposal for you,” she began.\nThey looked over the numbers and discussed the pros and cons. Andrew had faith in his wife—not only had she been the smartest in their graduating class, but she was the brains behind the operations of her own companies. He had total faith that she knew what she was talking about. “I think you’re right. This might be the answer to all of our problems,” Andrew said. Taylor’s smile widened. "],"title":"Pros and Cons","image":{"name":"hu5ccrpb6q08bsa4.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":692},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":384}}}},{"text":["

Taylor checked the clock, noticing she still had an hour before the offices closed. She grabbed her phone and redialed the number from yesterday. “Hi there. It’s Taylor Sandoval. We’re in. What’s the next step?” she said.\nShe spent 20 minutes on the phone discussing what to do, and the financial process. Then, she agreed to come into the office the next day for the final step. When she hung up, Taylor felt a sense of thrill. She was finally about to take control of the situation, and she couldn't wait to see the look on Mrs. Higgins’ face. "],"title":"Calling Them Back","image":{"name":"lmzer4ewxxyl1u69.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Anna Tarazevich/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":670},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":372}}}},{"text":["

When Taylor got to the office, she shook Mr. Samuels’ hand and they wasted no time before getting down to business. They looked over the contract together, noting changes and explaining what certain sections meant. \nFinally, when both Taylor and Mr. Samuels were satisfied, Taylor signed the last page of the contract with a smile. “Congratulations, Mrs. Sandoval. You’re a new homeowner,” Mr. Samuels said while shaking her hand."],"title":"On the Dotted Line","image":{"name":"8rdaueb1gti8m5yv.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

As Taylor pulled up to her home, she was no longer seething at the sight of the pink SUV, though it was still parked dangerously close to their driveway. Instead, she simply smiled, knowing she had won. \nShe parked in her driveway and went inside to show her husband the signed contract. Not wanting to waste any time, Taylor grabbed the paperwork and headed over to Mrs. Higgins' porch once more. "],"title":"Sense of Accomplishment","image":{"name":"lzxxvudsx3uteow1.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":724},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":402}}}},{"text":["

As usual, Mrs. Higgins didn’t come to the door when Taylor knocked. “Mrs. Higgins, I think you’re really going to want to open up this time. I have some information that concerns you and this house,” Taylor called out. \nAgain, she heard nothing, but this time, Taylor wasn’t backing down. “Okay, that’s no problem. As the new owner of this home, I’ll just call the police to have you removed from the premises,” she continued. For a few seconds, there was no response. Then, she heard the lock click open."],"title":"Open Up","image":{"name":"xqq5l2wtcivj6mco.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Andrey K on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":738},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":410}}}},{"text":["

“Well, it’s nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Higgins. It's just unfortunate it had to happen this way,” Taylor said as she found herself face to face with the neighbor who had been messing with them from the beginning. “What do you mean, owner of this home?” Mrs. Higgins responded. \n“I’m so glad you asked. As of a few hours ago, I just purchased this property. I’d love to formally introduce myself to you, after a few months of living next to each other. My name is Taylor Sandoval. I’m your new landlord,” Taylor said."],"title":"Face to Face","image":{"name":"hi6js00dwucxni7j.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":719},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Mrs. Higgins looked at Taylor in utter shock. She blinked at her a few times, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to find the words to respond. Taylor gave her a few moments to try and collect her thoughts. After all, she probably would have a hard time processing this information as well. \n“Do you have any questions, Mrs. Higgins?” Taylor asked, hoping to get something from the neighbor. But still, the older woman seemed to have trouble figuring out how to respond. “Ok, fine, then I’ll speak. This is how this is going to work,” Taylor began."],"title":"In Shock","image":{"name":"x1zv8kk9tebwrhq3.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

“We’re going to draw up a new contract. You will sign it if you want to stay in this house. It will include rules like, parking in your own driveway, maintaining your lawn, and minding your own business. If you fail to do any of these things, I have no problem finding a new tenant. After all, I’m sure it won't be too difficult to find someone to buy a gorgeous house in a beautiful neighborhood,” she continued.\nWith that, Taylor nodded at Mrs. Higgins, who hadn’t moved, or even seemed to blink. Then, Taylor turned to walk down the steps of the front porch—but the soft “Wait!” stopped her. "],"title":"The Ground Rules","image":{"name":"ww6xhyolyfgna6d9.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":670},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":372}}}},{"text":["

Taylor turned around, to see Mrs. Higgins standing there nervously, but finally ready to speak. “I’m sorry. My best friend used to live in that house. She died a few months before you moved in. I’m not good at accepting change,” she said.\n“I’m so sorry to hear that Mrs. Higgins. I apologize for your loss. But if you had told us that at the very beginning, things might have gone differently,” Taylor said confidently. Taylor turned around and started walking down the stairs. “I’ll be back over with your contract in the coming week,” she continued."],"title":"A Little Too Late","image":{"name":"0rzh8fs6slzyu6m0.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

After the contract was signed, there was an obvious difference. Even though the change was probably due to the legally binding contract she had just signed, the Sandovals wanted to believe it was because Mrs. Higgins realized she was being ridiculous for something her neighbors had no control over. \nRegardless, the neighbors very rarely had problems with one another ever again. They lived a very amicable existence. In addition, investing in the house next door proved to be a financially savvy decision—making it a win-win for the Sandovals. "],"title":"Noticable Change","image":{"name":"8vfxaorhjrj9khdh.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Karolina Grabowska/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":560},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":311}}}},{"text":["

Even though they did their best to reason with the infuriating neighbor who threatened to ruin the daily routine and lives of the Sandovals, she wasn’t making it easy. Taking the situation into their own hands became a matter of necessity—and proved to be a good decision for everyone involved.\nWe’re glad the neighbors found some peace with one another. We hope this mutual respect continues for as long as they each live in these homes, and we wish them a lifetime of happiness. "],"title":"Looking to the Future","image":{"name":"6z0dsn1h0sar98pv.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":723},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":402}}}}]}; (function() { window.wpd = (window.wpd || {}); window.wpd.consent = (window.wpd.consent || {}); window.googlefc = window.googlefc || {}; window.googlefc.ccpa = window.googlefc.ccpa || {} window.googlefc.callbackQueue = window.googlefc.callbackQueue || []; googlefc.controlledMessagingFunction = function(message) { message.proceed(true); }; googlefc.callbackQueue.push({ 'CONSENT_DATA_READY': function() { window.wpd.consent["CONSENT_STATUS"] = googlefc.getConsentStatus(); if (window.__tcfapi) window.__tcfapi('getTCData', 0, function(data, success) { }); switch (googlefc.getConsentStatus()) { case googlefc.ConsentStatusEnum.CONSENTED_TO_PERSONALIZED_ADS: case googlefc.ConsentStatusEnum.CONSENT_NOT_REQUIRED: break; case googlefc.ConsentStatusEnum.CONSENTED_TO_NON_PERSONALIZED_ADS: break; case googlefc.ConsentStatusEnum.UNKNOWN: case googlefc.ConsentStatusEnum.NO_CONSENT: break; } } }, { 'AD_BLOCK_DATA_READY': function() { window.wpd.consent["AD_BLOCK_STATUS"] = googlefc.getAdBlockerStatus(); switch (googlefc.getAdBlockerStatus()) { case googlefc.AdBlockerStatusEnum.EXTENSION_LEVEL_AD_BLOCKER: case googlefc.AdBlockerStatusEnum.NETWORK_LEVEL_AD_BLOCKER: break; case googlefc.AdBlockerStatusEnum.NO_AD_BLOCKER: break; case googlefc.AdBlockerStatusEnum.UNKNOWN: break; } } }, { 'INITIAL_CCPA_DATA_READY': function() { window.wpd.consent["CCPA_STATUS"] = googlefc.ccpa.getInitialCcpaStatus(); if (window.__uspapi) window.__uspapi('getUSPData', 1, function(data, success) { }); switch (googlefc.ccpa.getInitialCcpaStatus()) { case googlefc.ccpa.InitialCcpaStatusEnum.CCPA_DOES_NOT_APPLY: break; case googlefc.ccpa.InitialCcpaStatusEnum.NOT_OPTED_OUT: break; case googlefc.ccpa.InitialCcpaStatusEnum.OPTED_OUT: break; } } }); (function(){ 'use strict';var g=function(a){var b=0;return function(){return b=b||null!=a.a&&0!=a.a.offsetHeight&&0!=a.a.offsetWidth||(fa(a),D(a),l.setTimeout(function(){return E(a,b-1)},50))},fa=function(a){var b=a.c;var c="undefined"!=typeof Symbol&&Symbol.iterator&&b[Symbol.iterator];b=c?c.call(b):{next:g(b)};for(c=b.next();!c.done;c=b.next())(c=c.value)&&c.parentNode&&c.parentNode.removeChild(c);a.c=[];(b=a.a)&&b.parentNode&&b.parentNode.removeChild(b);a.a=null};var ia=function(a,b,c,d,e){var f=ha(c),k=function(n){n.appendChild(f);l.setTimeout(function(){f?(0!==f.offsetHeight&&0!==f.offsetWidth?b():a(),f.parentNode&&f.parentNode.removeChild(f)):a()},d)},h=function(n){document.body?k(document.body):0e;e++){var f=c.concat(d[e].split(""));K[e]=f;for(var k=0;k>2;n=(n& 3)<<4|t>>4;t=(t&15)<<2|h>>6;h&=63;f||(h=64,e||(t=64));c.push(b[k],b[n],b[t]||"",b[h]||"")}return c.join("")};try{return JSON.stringify(this.a&&this.a,S)}finally{Uint8Array.prototype.toJSON=a}}:function(){return JSON.stringify(this.a&&this.a,S)};var S=function(a,b){return"number"!==typeof b||!isNaN(b)&&Infinity!==b&&-Infinity!==b?b:String(b)};M.prototype.toString=function(){return this.a.toString()};var T=function(a){O(this,a)};u(T,M);var U=function(a){O(this,a)};u(U,M);var ja=function(a,b){this.c=new B(a);var c=R(b,T,5);c=new y(w,Q(c,4)||"");this.b=new ea(a,c,Q(b,4));this.a=b},ka=function(a,b,c,d){b=new T(b?JSON.parse(b):null);b=new y(w,Q(b,4)||"");C(a.c,b,3,!1,c,function(){ia(function(){F(a.b);d(!1)},function(){d(!0)},Q(a.a,2),Q(a.a,3),Q(a.a,1))})};var la=function(a,b){V(a,"internal_api_load_with_sb",function(c,d,e){ka(b,c,d,e)});V(a,"internal_api_sb",function(){F(b.b)})},V=function(a,b,c){a=l.btoa(a+b);v(a,c)},W=function(a,b,c){for(var d=[],e=2;ec?0:c}else c=-1;0!=c&&(W(a.b,"internal_api_sb"),Z(a,Q(a.a,6)))},function(c){Z(a,c?Q(a.a,4):Q(a.a,5))})},Z=function(a,b){a.c||(a.c=!0,a=new l.XMLHttpRequest,a.open("GET",b,!0),a.send())};(function(a,b){l[a]=function(c){for(var d=[],e=0;e