The second and third hand stories I have heard are from people who want not only more than fair market value, but usually enough to retire on for the rest of their life. Fortunately for taxpayers, the Constitution does not support that interpretation.
I have never seen a case where land went for less than the fair market value and have seen many times when it went for MORE than fair market value. Some people have a greatly inflated value of what their land is worth, but there are plenty of PRIVATE appraisers to go to to confirm or dispute the offer.
I have seen several times when a person hires several appraisers who come up with numbers that are not high enough for him. One after another is fired. At least twice, I have seen the person go to court tying to convince 12 taxpayers that they should open their wallets for him — just because he wants more, not because the land is worth more. In neither case did the taxpayers side with the owner.
I know in some states, the laws allow the jury to take the easy way out — split the difference. In my state, the jury must take either the States offer or the owners claim. No splitting the difference. That discourages both sides to make unreasonable claims.
I wish I lived in your fantasy world. I also wish you knew my neighbor. If you did, you would know how stupid your remarks were.