One Way to Keep Your Property Values Down

I recently had a transaction fall through because the homeowner's assn. officers got too "buttinsky" with the buyers and reflected badly on the neighborhood.

I have the home listed next door to where I live. Seller is like family. Has told me more then once that the first lowball ofer we got was from an interesting couple at best. After the showing the buyer went back without their agent and tried to make a deal bypassing agents. Seller called me and asked me to come help him get rid of the buyer. After she left Seller told me know matter what that would not be my new neighbor...

Sometimes you don't have to shoot yourself in the foot, friends and neighbors will do it for you.

Wow, wonder what would have happened with a downed tree limb?  Play nice Mr. Neighbor or we will have to double up on your meds.

...and how do you get this message out to the neighbor?

Pat

So true buyers want to know about the neighbors.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Patricia, for better or worse, it takes all kinds of people to make our world; it's unfortunate that it's gat so many of this disposition.  Thanks for sharing.

Sad to see this, but I have also seen where the SELLERS AS THE PROBLEM  When in that circumstance, one would think the WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD would be helping to get the place sold!

In some areas, it can be out in the community that the HOA and the seller who may of been on the board at one time, caused so many problems that the community has a reputation of being full of NUT CAKES!

Best to invite the neighbors over during a open house and judge for yourself.

GOOD LUCK and success.

It's not a bad deal to talk to them at all.  When listing a house it's like hey keep your yard clean and do you know anybody who might want to buy this house.

Been there...Currently have a gorgeous listing with a similar jack@## living across the street. Can you say property depreciation?

You reminded me of a time when I was showing a parcel of semi-remote river frontage. One of the neighbors came down on his 4-wheeler to make sure these prospective purchasers knew that there was a lot of theft and vandalism in the neighborhood - you don't dare leave anything that isn't nailed down. And... "There are no fish in that river."

The gentlemen I was with were amused by his antics - but they passed on the property.

Very true.  I have a listing where we were concerned about the neighbors - then they moved right before we put it on the market - Yippee!

I'm with Patricia, who knows what was going on with that guy?  I would talk to the seller then give him a starbucks card for being inconvenienced and let him vent a little.  Mabye he could lead to you a buyer or another listing, if he's fed up with parking, maybe he should move now!

It is possible  that this seller is  moving...to get away from this neighbor?

That is sad. More times than not, I've had friendly neighbors who have been an asset.

This makes a good point to ask about the neighbors as just walking the property may not show up issues such as this. Some things are out of our control as well as the sellers.

Think I'll use this 3rd party story the next time a client asks me to do an open house!  Thanks for sharing!

People aren't just buying a house, they are buying into a community and a lifesyle. Nobody wants to live near nagging people or someone they don't get a long with. I wonder what that neighbor's relationship is with the homeowner who is seller their house.

Interesting story. I run into folks like that quite often; I call them "Purple Lippers." They are so grouchy that their lips turn purple from the constant anger in their expression. People like this are fueled by their anger, and the only pleasure they have is making sure that others don't (have pleasure).

As ar as the potential buyers are concerned, don't you think they are relieved to find out about this guy sooner, rather than later? Next time you do an open house at this location, perhaps you should buy this guy and his family movie tickets, and get rid of him for the day.

I wonder if that would be unethical, just like trying to cover up any other fault with the property.

By the way, I have a buddy that ended up selling his home at a reduced price for no other reason than to get away from a neighbor. The neighbor was a State Police Officer. Every time the guy saw someone come to look at the house, he would come out and start some trouble.

May be why your sellers put their house up for sale....they don't like their neighbor!!!

So true. Neighbors can make or break a deal. I was sitting at an open house a few weeks ago and the neighbor behind, in a different subdivision, had a dog in the yard which cried and yapped the whole 3 hours I was there. I went looking for this neighbor (had to figure out which one is was from the other street) and let the homeowner know that the dog was a nuisance. I have not heard the dog since.