AITA for “tricking” my brother into selling me his half of our childhood home then demolishing it?

Following his acquisition of his late father’s residence, a man chose to purchase his sibling’s portion of the property with the intention of constructing a building with four units. The brother, having accepted financial compensation at the time, is currently expressing discontent and is requesting either complimentary housing or a percentage of the earnings generated by the rentals.

He’s encountering opposition from his brother and mother – who is warning she may cut him out of her inheritance – despite making a reasonable offer to buy them out and giving them the option to buy one of the properties. The full story is available below.

‘ AITA for “tricking” my brother into selling me his half of our childhood home then demolishing it? ‘

My parents split up when I was a kid. My brother was thrilled that our mom didn’t give him any rules, so he chose to live with her. I stuck to the custody arrangement since I wasn’t given an option. My mom cares for us both, but she treats my brother as though he can do no wrong. My dad got to keep the house.

He needed to purchase my mother’s share. The property was a house constructed back in 1953. The electrical system was outdated, making it quite incompatible with today’s needs. However, it featured an expansive garden, which was fantastic to have when I was a child. My father died in the COVID pandemic and divided his estate equally between my sibling and myself. I desired ownership of the house.

I suggested to my brother that we demolish the house and construct infill housing, as permitted by the neighborhood’s zoning regulations. His only concern was financial gain. I acquired his share of the property at its fair market price, and it was subsequently sold for demolition purposes. He used the funds to purchase a vehicle and take a trip, and he still has money remaining.

I tore down the house and put up a building with four apartments. Every apartment features three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a modest garden, and parking. I decided to live in one myself and get $2,000 monthly from the remaining three. The total mortgage payment comes out to $1,800 each month.

Essentially, my expenses are covered and I save $4,000 monthly. My brother is angry because I didn’t provide him with a free place to live, even though he considers it his former residence as well. I even proposed selling him a unit at my acquisition cost, but he declined. I’m confused. I proposed a business arrangement, compensated fairly for the property, and offered him a unit at cost, doing all I could to be equitable.

He believes I deceived him because I receive monthly “free” funds. Our mother threatened to disinherit me and leave him everything unless I provided him with a property or its earnings.

I concurred with the reasonableness of that arrangement and stated that I would not feel obligated to assist with her financial support or retirement in the future. Despite their combined pressure, I assumed the risks and incurred the debt, therefore, the funds are now mine.

Check out how the community responded:

WhyCommentQueasy −  Clearly NTA

Wrong_Midnight_1618 −  NTA You bought his half of the house, you paid him, he wanted the money. His share of the money was spent buying cars and going on holiday, your share of the money was spent investing.

He is simply angry and resentful as a result of his poor decisions, while you made wiser ones. Now, he behaves as though he has a right to benefit from your successful choices simply because of your familial connection. Furthermore, your mother was wrong to use such blatant emotional manipulation and ultimatums against you. Money truly reveals the worst aspects of people’s characters.

FunnyAnchor123 −  Let me get this straight: you bought out his share, put up your money to build this four-plex, he did not contribute a dime, yet wants you to give him an apartment rent-free? NTA. Unless you accede to his greedy & entitled demands. You owe him nothing.

It seems you’re unmoved by your mother’s ultimatum regarding her will and have already made her aware of the repercussions. I sympathize with your need to endure such individuals.

Helpful_Hour1984 −  NTA. My mom dotes on my brother like he farts perfume. That’s pretty obvious from your brother’s ridiculous request. Let me guess: when you were kids, he’d eat his treats quickly, then demand that you share yours with him. And your mother forced you to do it, because “faaaamily”.

You each received the same portion of the house. There was no deception involved. Your brother desired the funds and subsequently obtained them. His intention was to allocate them towards the purchase of a vehicle and a getaway, which he did. Conversely, you opted to allocate your share (along with likely a substantial amount more of your own capital and effort) into a venture with the potential for future appreciation.

He put absolutely nothing into it, didn’t do a thing to help, but thinks he deserves the rewards? This isn’t “free” cash; it’s the earnings from what you put in, the chances you took, and the effort you made. Your response to him and your mom (who’s letting him get away with this garbage) was spot-on. Keep those limits in place.

Never allow either of them to reside in one of your properties; they will not pay and you will be unable to evict them.

Edited to include: anticipate your mother leaving all her possessions to your brother, irrespective of your actions.

Consider this when evaluating the level of support you provide. If she stands to inherit a substantial sum, why is your financial assistance necessary? Could it be that she’s currently allocating her resources to benefit her favored child?

LowBalance4404 −  NTA and I love that you told your mom, “Cool, but now you are also on your own”. Good job and I do hope you follow through with that.

Hot_Razzmatazz316 −  INFO: did you tell your brother all about your plans for the land, or did you just offer to buy his share? If you were honest and upfront about your intention to tear down the house and build the fourplex, which would provide a place to live as well as passive income, he had all the information and the options were made clear to him, then NTA.

In times of sorrow, it’s easy to lose perspective. Considering the proximity of your father’s passing to the estate settlement and property sale, your brother’s focus may have been on immediate concerns, while you were considering the bigger picture.

Technically, you’re not an asshole, but it seems a bit sly since we don’t know what your brother was aware of or when he knew it. If I were you, I’d ensure my sibling was completely informed before proceeding, mainly to avoid any potential conflict between us.

Early_Fill6545 −  You asked in at every step of the way

Best_System_2927 −  It sounds like you treated him fairly and he was short-sighted, but You were so foolish to tell him the financial details. He’ll always feel. Cheated

allorahdanyn −  NTA and what does your mother even have in her will if she needs you to subsidize her retirement??

neogeshel −  Have you tried being related to less stupid people?

Was his strategy of prioritizing profit during the reconstruction phase misguided, or is his sibling’s perspective unfair? Let’s discuss your opinions!