WAS I WRONG TO SECRETLY OUTBID MY IN
LAWS FOR A HOUSE ON OUR BLOCK?
My wife struggles with her overbearing parents, who ignore boundaries and offer unsolicited opinions. Despite their support for her education, her people-pleasing nature makes pushback hard. I’m less affected, having gained independence early and built wealth. Moving far from them helped, but after retiring, they eyed a house two doors from ours.
When it hit the market, their low bid alarmed us—we didn’t want them as neighbors, nor a scarce home going to part-timers. Using separate funds, I formed an LLC, outbid them, and planned to rent it out, sparing my wife the burden of lying. My brother called it an AH move, so I confessed to her. Initially upset, she appreciated the intent. We rented to a quiet couple, keeping it secret. Her parents fumed about the “mystery buyer.” Our secret strengthened us, blending teamwork with strategic moves to maintain peace.