Do your neighbors help or hurt the sale of your home? What would Mr. Rogers say?

jared....

I have dealt with this subject when I was doing tract sales and development in infill areas. I would go to the "eyesore owners" and discuss what could be done. Various responses have come up from indifference, to I have no $, to I am not the owner, to it isn't bothering me. In some cases, I have had to spend money to clean up properties and even had one painted plus installed wrought iron to boot......I stood to gain more and lose the most if something wasn't done. Having said all that, if it comes down to a single listing and I cannot get cooperation, then I disclose and hope for the best.....thank you

I built my home 3 years ago and that was a fear that someone would build next to us that would be a difficult neighbor.  Guess what?  I live next door to the "cluttered backyard guy".  I just can't win.

All reasons why I love HOA's and city ordinances, although they cant fix obnoxious neighbors.

I'm battling this on one of my listings right now.  Beautiful home with a view of the cluttered front yard and carport guy...nice guy with an awful looking house that has already caused at least one buyer (that we know of) to decide against making an offer.

Besides looking around I recommend buyer's drive through the neighborhood at different days and times. 

Funny but oh so true post. I have had the buyers wanting only to do a drive bye because of eye sore neighboring homes. It is also bad when you are presenting a home and the neighbors come out and talk to the potential homeowner. They always say the wrong things at the right time. I too will suggest that the buyers go out and park in front of the house at different hours of the day and night especially on the weekends.

Great post, love the photo illustrations!

My current next-door neighbor uses a toilet for a planter.

We also have our rental condo listed right now.  The neighbors are total potheads and like to keep the slider open, so anyone who comes to see the condo can smell it. I'm sure the neighbors are nice people but right now I hate them.

Hello - You don't just buy a home, you're also buying the neighbors and the neighborhood.  Love the pics!

I must have seen some of the same neighbors that you have. LOL.  Seriously, it can make a big difference.

That's how we bought the home we live in. It was occupied by very sloppy tenants at the time and no one would make an offer-except my hubby and me. We figured they would move out eventually. Well they did, the owner decided to sell and I got the listing! I sold the house to a very industrious young man who is totally remodelling the home! He is a great neighbor. He's doing a great job and I can't wait to see his finished product.

Well, Jared, I gues you've said it all.  The bad part of it is when the first thing out of the mouth of a new buyer is: "It in a nice neighborhood?" You can reply with, "They might check with Mr Rogers, he might live nearby. . . or not.

So true and hilarious!  The thing with neighbors is that they can be fine at listing point and than change during the listing or after the sale!  Neighbors aren't permanent!

Sue of Robin and Sue

This post is great. Neighbors can be a positive or negative influence. I helped a client finance a home purchase that was a short sale next door to her best friend. The friend new the neighbor and found out it was going to be foreclosed. The friend saved the deal and helped my client get her first home.

Unfortunately a "Neighborhood" comes with neighbors...and neighbors definitely do influence housing values.

Like anything else it could always be worse! Just imagine what the "worse" is in your situation and you will appreciate what you have even more!

I once listed  a home where a neighbor at the entrance to the subdivision painted large lemons on his garage telling people how bad the area was. A nightmare indeed.

I feel sorry for "lives next to Cujo" guy. You know, the dog that tries to break down the fence any time anyone comes within 50 feet.