"And who's going to enforce that?" John fires back, nodding in the general direction of the neighboring lot under construction. "Them? Does the city government even agree that you own the place? Or is it only a matter of time before someone sticks a 'for sale' sign on the front lawn?"

The questions are pointed and he makes no particular effort to sound kind, but they're not rhetorical, either. If this is part of a new development that Darrow's advertising, this home might just as easily end up on offer as any of the rest.