10 Ways Your Neighbor can Kill Your Chances of Selling Your House!

     Bad neighbors can be more than a nuisance - they can kill your chances of selling your house.  Obnoxious neighbors can wreck the value of nearby houses, dropping comparable prices by 10% or more.

 

     10 of the worst offenders:

• Barking or vicious dogs.

• Cars on blocks, abandoned vehicles, "driveway mechanics".

• Loud music, loud television, other excessive noise.

• Busybodies who come over to chat with your prospective purchasers.

• Loudmouths who complain about the neighborhood and everything else.

• Lawns not mowed; trash or junk in the yard.

• Abandoned houses ("The Foreclosure Next Door").  

• Party Houses and Hangouts.

• Garages packed with clutter; garage door is left open.

• Ugly houses and houses in need of repair.

 

 

     Any of these scenarios can be a total turn-off to potential Buyers.  Bad neighbors can appear in all price ranges and all types of neighborhoods, from lower-income townhouse subdivisions to upscale Golf Community neighborhoods.

    

    What can you as a Seller do?

•     Try talking with the neighbor.  You might be able to resolve the problem with a simple conversation and a little diplomacy.  Sometimes people do not realize that their behavior or the appearance of their house is offensive.  It may be a Landlord or Rental Management Company that has not seen the property in a long time.  Dog owners may be oblivious to the barking.  The hard working CEO who is gone much of the time may not know that his teenage children are using the house as a party place and a hangout. 

•     Contact the Homeowners' Association.  A particular offense might be a violation of the Deed Restrictions.  Many HOA's have the legal authority to place Liens on houses that are in violation of the Covenants.

•     Contact your City Department of Code Enforcement or Zoning.  Those cars on blocks and that knee-high grass in the front yard may be a violation of City Ordinances.  Let City or Government officials be "the bad guy" to get problems corrected.

•     Foreclosures:  contact the Lender that is the owner of record.  If you cannot get through or cannot get results, bring in your local TV Station or other news media and let them highlight the eyesore.

•     Retain an Attorney for possible Civil Litigation (sue them).  Few people want to bring a lawsuit, but it may be your only choice.  See your attorney for legal advice.
  

      Bad neighbors can be more than a nuisance - they can kill your chances of selling your house.  Obnoxious neighbors can wreck the value of nearby houses, dropping comparable prices by 10% or more.  Ask your Real Estate Agent for help or advice.

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog article is to be construed as legal advice, tax advice, or financial advice.  For legal advice see an attorney.   For tax advice or financial advice see a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or other qualified professional.

 

Frederick Griffin, Licensed Real Estate Broker       Tallahassee, Florida       850-339-4861

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     Buying or Selling a Home in Tallahassee, Florida?  You need the services of a trusted, dedicated Real Estate Broker when making the biggest financial transaction of your life! 

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Frederick Griffin, Licensed Real Estate Broker       Tallahassee, Florida       850-339-4861