Frustrated Neighbors are Speaking Out

Last night I was on the way to a high school football game, about an hour away, when my phone cell phone rang.  I was driving on a I95, in bumper to bumper traffic and it was pouring rain. I couldn't see the hood of my vehicle.  It was terrible. I don't care to drive in that kind of weather.

I let the phone call go to voicemail as I wasn't going to attempt to pick the call up in those conditions. 

After 35 minutes we were out of the worst of the weather, so I played my voice messages.  One of the calls was from the neighbor of a house I currently have for sale.  The man was quite distraught.  His message indicated that he was quite upset with the way the lawn company was cutting the grass, on the home next to his. He said he knew they had been hired by the bank that owned the property.  He indicated that they were scalping his lawn, and throwing lava rock everywhere.  He was insistent that he be told who was in charge, as this situation needed to be handled asap.  He wanted the name of whomever was in charge at our company or whomever had ordered this inexcusable lawn company.

I could hear the frustration in this man's voice.

When I got off the road I returned his phone call. I listened to his story, and did not interrupt him.  He wanted my supervisors name or the name of the bank manager.

"Mr. 'Jones', I'm sorry that you are having so much difficulty with the lawn company on this home. It sounds as if you are in quite a frustrating situation. It sounds like you have a particular way you like to keep your lawn, and they are coming over the property line and damaging your grass. But, unfortunately, this home is not a bank owned property, the home belongs to the seller.  We are not involved in who is cutting the grass over there. Perhaps, you could speak to the lawn company, the next time you see them.  I'm sorry it is such a difficult situation for you. I will mention it to the owners of the property the next time I talk to them."

He was very gracious, thanked me for calling and said he thought the bank owned the house.

I understand this man's frustration. BUT, You know it strikes me oddly with homes on the market today. 

This home is sitting vacant and the owners have left town.

They are having the lawn maintained on a regular basis until it sells.

Most owners are either no where to be found, don't care about the lawn when they move, or the banks won't get the lawns cut at all. 

Code enforcement is called when the grass gets to be waist high, for fear of mosquitoes and snakes, with all the rain we have been getting.

This scenario reminds me of just how fed up some people are getting about things happening with homes in their neighborhoods. 

Oh, what's a neighbor to do?

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.