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Not Happy you have New Neighbors?

I live in a subdivision...but my home is one of three on a cul-de-sac with 2 acres of privacy. The other two homes face away from me and minimal angles of viewing to my backyard.

I also look over a valley on homes below, some 400 hundred plus yards away. A lot was recently sold down in the valley street. Neighbors with land adjoining the new neighbors lot started scurrying to create privacy once the builder started construction.

One neighbor put in a invisible fence so their dog won't do his duty in the old field area that is now the neighbors new construction site.

Another neighbor planted trees along the lot line to make sure the new neighbor knew where his property ended.

The builder has made several issues with people along the lot line which has become a subject of debate. For example the builder put drain title toward the back of the new owners lot leading water away from the walkout basement. Sound like a good thing...until you understand the water is being diverted to the edge of the other existing neighbors lot.

Upon further investigation by a neighbor he find out that an easement exists that the builder knew about for run-off water. They had a few words over this issue before the builder told the existing homeowner to take it up with township planning.

That prompted the other neighbor to plant trees. I have seen fences go up when a new neighbor moves in next door to an existing neighbor without finding out who is moving in or what they are like.

I have seen thorn bushes planted because the last neighbors kid climbed the fence. So the existing neighbor is are going to make sure the new neighbor, if they have children, won't climb the fence.

Buying and selling is like choosing your relatives you never know who you are going to get! I talked to a seller's neighbor recently when I had a buyer interested in a property. He tells me...hope these people are more friendly than the last ones! I have lived here 30 years never had anyone throw their leafs and snow on my property before. "I hadn't spoke to them in 5 years"....."when they moving", was his next question.

I like my neighbors...but I must admit I don't see them much.

What about you?

Gary L White Flexit Realty...Home of Flexible Contracts

Live in Grand Rapids or West Michigan area, not under contract? Like to sell or buy a home....give me a call. It could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction. Always confidential, Never Pressured.

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Posted by Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away! on 11/01/2009 02:06 PM

Comments (49)

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Originally posted at: Gary White FlexIt Realty~Real Estate & Updates, Grand Rapids & West Michigan : Not Happy you have New Neighbors?

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49 Comments on Not Happy you have New Neighbors?

NOV

Strange how that happens, Gary. We humans certainly do like our territorial lines, don't we?

Hi Gary~ My husband gets very territorial, where as I don't give things like that much thought. If he had it his way, we would have NO neighbors ever,LOL! He says that fences make for good neighbors and truly believes it!

Gary, We live in a rural area as well and not much changes here. We are good neighbors, but like you, we do not see our neighbors much. We did have to curtail one neighbor from coming over and borrowing tools and equipment without asking, no problems other than an occasional bull in the yard...We wave as we / they drive by.

Hi Joan, we do seem to be a bit territorial...I live and let live...works for me. Thanks for your comments Joan.

Hi Vickie, I have heard that one before and know people that live by that saying as well. It is kind of like locks keep honest people honest. Thanks for your comments Vickie....hope all is well. :-)

Hi Wanda, I understand the tool issue....and you don't have to live in a rural area! I wonder what neighbors would say with a stray bull wandering by? Thanks for the comments Wanda..I could live with the rural life real easy if I had HIGH SPEED INTERNET!

Gary, my old neighbors moved (thankfully) but because they couldn't sell their house they rented it. Their tenant is a lovely woman, she's friendly and active in the community and is a real asset. However, the owner of the home has done nothing to secure his neighbors safety. He has a number of dead or dying trees in his yard and recently one fell and took down all the power lines to our house and prevented us from leaving until noon when the tree was removed from the road that leads to our home. Last summer one of his trees fell on our house, he cut off the end of the tree in his yard and made repairs to the fence, then proceeded to tell us how the rest of the tree was our problem now since it was on our property. We were lucky, we only had about $10,000 damage which the insurance company covered, it could have been worse, I hope the tenant decides to purchase the house.

NOV

I'm fortunate to have wonderful neighbors. We socialize frequently, and help each other out when needed. We have completely opposite political views, but we have agreed to disagree. Everyone is respectful. I don't think we would necessarily be friends if we weren't neighbors, but I feel blessed to have the neighbors we do.

Good fences make good neighbors...

Neighbors that you don't see very much make good neighbors, along with fences. Our neighbors are great and live 1/4 mile away. I guess we've had too many bad neighbor experiences and are a bit cynical :)

-M

Often we fail to see (or remember) how home selection can be stressful on buyers until we are put into situations with new neighbors ourselves.

I personally have a neighbor I can not wait to move away from. He moved in almost 3 years ago, and I have lived here nearly 6. Previous neighbors had been a blessing. Sometimes I guess we take good neighbors for granted, until we become tied to some first time homebuyers who take us to the limit and beyond because they fail to recognize there is give and take with homeownership and neighbors who do not move every 6 months to a year. Our neighbor has become a virus among all surrounding homes, to the point that no one cares and prefers to stay inside rather than have the social network we used to have.

Unfortunately there is no repair available to the relationships at this point.
I tease my wife that we may have to disclose that our neighbors are horrible, and that our property values will suffer when we do sell.
Its sad to see what one homeowner can do to a community.

As for good fences make good neighbors, I bought my place under the belief that I would not need a fence..... now I am not sure that even a fence would solve the issue, and the fact that I would need one proves to me it is time to move!

Having just moved into a travel park and now living in a 35' trailer we sit only a few feet from our new neighbors. Previously we had a 3000 sq' home and now it is only 300 sq' with an acre of land. Quite an adjustment to make for us.

Yes, people can be funny. I like my neighbors but all you need is one home sale to change the dynamic and you have to hope for the best.

Neighbors are important to a happy home. Fortunately all of my neighbors, but one are wonderful. My husband had a not so pleasant experience with our next door neighbor right after they moved in which has made for a strained relationship ever since. My husband planted a row of arborvitae to separate our lot from theirs. However, should they ever move and I like the new neighbors, I won't ever be able to see them or converse with them. Sad, isn't it?!

Neighbors can be territorial and be happy to tell you how they want things to be. This past weekend, I was showing a vacant 12 acre parcel of land. A neighbor was very quick to come over and explain how they didn't want any more houses in the neighborhood because they "liked it dark" and too many house lights "made things too bright". They were also quick to say where a house should go, how only one house should be allowed, and lastly, "make sure they don't install lights up their driveway as that's ugly and (of course) bright!

We have wonderful neighbors on both sides of us and on our entire cul-de-sac...thank goodness. All the homes in our area are one acre lots so we really aren't on top of anyone, however, my husband would love to put a privacy fence up on one side. He just enjoys his privacy. I've talked him out of it (for now) because I would hate for the next door neighbors to think we dislike them. Even though we've known them for years I think they would get their feelings hurt.

hey, that's a great looking 'hood, i love it!

the builder is presumably a sophisticated guy...and he INVITES you to get the township involved? so at the very least you now know he is a dumba$$...who on earth ever wants the guys who issue permits involved any more than they need to be. here in california, where the wackos all end up, the issue of run-off is one we do not screw with...your guy would be shut down in 5 minutes if his grading plan deviated in any small way from that which he got permitted.

i am looking forward to the day when i can move somewhere where the fences are for privacy...we deal in 3000-7000 sf lots here commonly. the homes in the pic looked like they were just far enough away to be neighborly without being stacked side to side...my neighbors dogs are welcome in my yard...i have a few who stop by while they are out on patrol and doin' their doggin'. mine has a few he likes to visit.

that was very nice of the dog guy to put up the invisible fence.

If there is ever any concern from the buyers, then I take them to a more established neighborhood! Good post

Our home backs up to the Safeway. There is a high retaining wall, but it does not reduce the noise. Fortunately Safeway has yet to complain about my kids noise.

Yes the neighbors. What really stinks is when there is a change like the new home being built.

NOV

Neighbors can be good and bad. It should always a consideration we buying in a new area.

Hi June, as you know there may be recourse to a guy that lets his property go and causes damage. One option you may put in your neighbors ear is a lease/option. Thanks for the comments June. Hope you didn't dress to scary for Halloween! :-)

Hi Michelle, good neighbors are a blessing...having a mister fix-it next door with junk cars is everyones nightmare. Thanks for the comments Michelle.

Well, it's not the new neighbor's fault! So I hope everyone gives the family a chance to "fit in". Sounds like the contractor is to blame.

Your story reminded me of my first home in Seattle. Right after I bought it, a developer bought two homes on the other side of me and tore them down to make a small apartment building. As he started to lay the basement foundation, he hit the water table and decided to drain it away from his property. Well, by doing so, he also affected the ground underneath my home which was on a slab and you guessed it - - my foundation folded like a V with the weight of the house bearing straight down the center.

He must have gotten what he wanted, because I couldn't afford to fight him in court and my home was not safe to live in. So I had to sell it for the value of the land. Guess who bought it and put in a parking lot for his apartment building?

IF the neighbors homes are close to a house my buyers are contrmplating buying, I sometimes recommend that they go say hello on their own and introduce themselves. Better to find out something now then after they have purchased.

I have a larger than normal lot for my community and the neighbor swore a part of mine was his. He got permisssion from the homeowners association to plant trees along the property line. After surveying, etc, and planting the trees 2.5 feet within his lot line as required he has less than before.

Works for me, now he knows that my lot is not partly his and I actually like the plants they planted!

We have great neighbors! When we moved in about 5 of them stopped in together to welcome us. When we throw our annual party at our house, everyone on the street is invited. The neighborhood also has annual holiday party. We all watch out for each other. It's a good thing.

NOV

Hi Gary, As builders, we move a lot. We have lived on 1/4 acre lots as well as 3 acres backing up to the woods. I find it isn't proximity, or lack thereof, that makes good neighbors. It's attitude.

Hi Don, locks keep honest people honest too! :-) Thanks for the comments Don.

Hi Kevin & Monica, everyone has had the neighbor experience. We keep a happy distance but also appreciate the fact that we have nice neighbors. Thanks for the comments Kevin & Monica.

Hi Brady, you are a few hours north of where I lived in Melbourne Florida. It is a sad statement when neighbors can change the dynamics of a neighborhood so dramatically. I have always looked for a bit of elbow room while maintaining the services I wanted. Not always easy to find. Thanks for the comments Brady.

Hi Jackie, that would be an adjustment. I had sailboats for years and my wife always wanted grass instead. I am sure the new digs changed your life. One thing about it...you can move it! Thanks for the comments Jackie.

Hi Marian, so true one home sale can change everything in a neighborhood. One family that lets the other families take care of their child....instead of them tending to meals and mental activities can also impact neighbors. Thanks for the comments Marian.

Hi Jamie, we all have issues at times over something but how those issues are resolved makes life go round. I too have had neighbors do all kinds of things including dumping grass clippings, cut down trees, put up fences on the wrong side of the lot lines. It happens. Thanks for the comments Jamie.

Interesting how neighbors can interject their thoughts on how you should live before you purchase. Thanks for the comments...Sign your post next time and I will make sure to include you in the future. Thanks again for your comments.

Hi Wendy, sometimes you just have to explain you wanted to control the noise if you have guests over. They might even help you put up the fence! :-) Thanks for the comments Wendy.

Hi Michael, I think it is extremely nice to put up the invisible fence too. I have no fences, don't mind dogs as long as the owner....picks up what the dog leaves behind...so to speak. The run off issue is the same here. I think the build may have stepped over the line. Looking at the change in the easement for drainage. I think it was a smoke screen to get the neighbors off his back. If they were informed on easement issues for drainage they might take him up on the option of requesting a township supervisor. Might not make the builders day. Thanks for the comments Michael.

Hi Sandy, home choices are so based on neighborhoods and neighbors that making the right choice is very important. Thanks for the comments Sandy.

Hi Gene, have you drawn a playground on your side of the wall yet? Depending on the layout sometime small planned trees will cut the noise big time. Thanks for the comments Gene.

Hi Mike, change is constant and when you have empty lots and a nice neighborhood someone will eventually purchase the lot to build. Roll the dice and hope for the best! Thanks for the comments Mike.

Hi Mark, isn't that the truth. Sometimes you have an idea of the neighborhood based on maintenance issues, how lawn equipment is stored and other tell-tale signs. Thanks for the comments Mark.

Hi Martin, today the EPA, Planning commission and others might have assisted you because of the diversion of the water table. Sounds like the shaft to me. I hope the area neighbors also give the new people a chance. Thanks for the comments Martin.

Hi Jirius, great advice, exploring the neighborhood before buying is always a great option. Thanks for the comments Jirius.

Hi Gail, the old saying applies....all is fair in love and war! He lost the war and you love the plants...happy ending. :-) Thanks for the comments Gail.

Hi Jen, the blessing of having great neighbors can never be understated. Thanks for the comments Jen.

Hi Margaret, you hit the nail on the head....attitude is the issue. Thanks for the comments Margaret.

NOV

Wow Gary. Sounds very daunting. I hope that this new neighbor gets his act together.

Hi Mark, the neighbor wasn't the bad guy...I think the builder created the issues with his attitude. The new neighbor will be fine in time. Thanks for the comments Mark.

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