Special offer

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors. Agree?

By
Real Estate Agent with Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 UT DRE# 6541633-SA00

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors. Agree?

Ever wonder how an entire neighborhood or community lives together in harmony day in and day out, year after year? Everyone's idea of 'getting along' differs and is an individual aspect of life and may start with:

 

Respecting other's property.

We had a neighbor who felt like he could come over and go into our tool shed and 'borrow' whatever he happened to need that day, whether we were home or not. That was not acceptable and had a conversation with him regarding a few rules.

 

Valuing another's privacy. 

Showing up unnanounced when the desire strikes is not always a welcome habit to get into unless all parties have a prior agreement. Share phone numbers or e-mail addresses in order to announce community events. In emergency situations, there are exceptions of course. Offering help when needed during those times shows good faith between residents.

 

Honoring rules and regulations set forth. 

Expectations are that everyone will keep their properties presentable and includes: Weeds whacked, yards mowed, picked up and clear of junk like wrecked cars, engine parts or the results of a dumpster diving event. This also depends on CCRs and HOA.

 

Keeping noise to a minimum.

While it is impossible to be completely quiet, keeping noise to a minimum during the day is expected. Some residents may work nights and sleep during daylight hours. Loud gatherings at night with music thumping, excessive whooping it up and carrying on may not be acceptable to any / all surrounding parties unless, of course they are all present.

 

Quiet enjoyment for all.

All home owners are deserving of this, no matter the style, type or location of a neighborhood. Everyone seeks it, so paying close attention to HOA information and CCR's that drive a community is essential before a home purchase so there are no unsavory surprises once a property has closed and recorded.

 

While it is impossible to hand pick who may live next door or down the street, living harmoniously in a community definitely makes days more enjoyable while ensuring peace of mind. Your thoughts?

Posted by

I, Wanda Kubat-Nerdin at Red Rock Real Estate Utah am responsible for my opinions expressed in this blog. Information herein is deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed and may change due to market conditions. Please do not take my pictures or artwork and use them as your own, they are my property and copyrighted.

Member of

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin is a southern Utah REALTOR® assisting buyers and sellers in in the St. George area, Dammeron Valley, Diamond Valley, Veyo, Central, Hurricane, Ivins, La Verkin, Leeds, Santa Clara, and Washington real estate markets.
See my full profile

Red Rock Real Estate
90 E 100 S, St. George, UT 84770

BuynSellUtah.com
Mobile: (435) 632-9374 call or text
Email Me

My Blog Posts

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Thanks Lou! So glad that you approve!

Jun 30, 2014 04:39 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

The biggest problem is when people don't respect others property and privacy.  WE need to treat people like we want to be treated. 

Jun 30, 2014 10:01 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

True story Bill! We need more of that in this world.

Jun 30, 2014 10:26 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Wanda-We are finding that "common sense" is really not as common as it used to be. Fencing can help outline boundaries.

Jun 30, 2014 10:49 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Wayne, No argument here and good point!

Jun 30, 2014 12:29 PM
Ron Aguilar
Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT
Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

Wanda, good points. Coming from SLC Utah I can say that St.George is much better, to bad it took me 50 years to get here. 

Jul 01, 2014 12:06 AM
Linda Metallo DiBenardo
RE/MAX Impact, Lockport, Illinois - Lockport, IL

Noise ordinances and covenants of quiet enjoyment help  come into play also, especially when there are common walls/areas.

Jul 01, 2014 12:31 AM
Sarah Rummage
Benchmark Realty LLC, Nashville TN 615.516.5233 - Nashville, TN
Love Being Realtor® in the Nashville TN Area!

HOA rules need to be applied fairly. A friend is struggling being on the far side of a complex and the same couple owns on both side of her. They park in her carport, park in her driveway (which is only big enough for two cars)' put their ladder where it blocks her getting in and out, and on and on. HOA board does nothing 'because her neighbors are such nice people.' Yeah, right, if you are on the front side of the complex and aren't living next door to them. 

Jul 01, 2014 12:35 AM
Raymond Edler
Keller Williams Realty Dallas Fort Worth 214-552-2091 - Prosper, TX
#1 Real Estate Office in DFW

Good point, totally agree

Jul 01, 2014 01:06 AM
Buster Avila
RE/MAX Metro - Saint Petersburg, FL
None

Agreed, all these rules apply.  

We are very good friends with the neighbors on one side - we text before borrowing each others' tools.  We text to let each others' dogs out.  We respect each others' privacy.

And we tore down 1/2 the fence between our backyards so we could share a tiki hut and grill, and it just makes it easier to visit each other.  

Everyone is waiting for us to have our big fight, but it's been three years and nothing yet...

Jul 01, 2014 01:26 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Great post and so true. I had never thought of this but fences are important for so many reasons. Fences also keep pets inside and not roaming the streets.

Jul 01, 2014 01:47 AM
Deborah Newell
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty - Virginia Beach, VA

At first I was against fencing our back yard because I liked the openness, but then we got a pool and had no choice. Now, pool or not, I'm glad to have the fence for our own privacy. Even though we do have two neighbors who started feuding and one put up a spite fence and of course we have to look at it (can't even describe it)! (Only time I've ever wished for a Homeowners Association!

Jul 01, 2014 02:20 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I have had good neighbors and bad neighbors.  Often it is just a matter of reaching out and establishing a relationship.

Jul 01, 2014 03:20 AM
Jerry Lucas
ABC Legal Docs LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Notary Training, Consulting. Colorado Springs, CO

I have a 6 foot cedar fence around my back yard.  The wild, noisy boys from the rental property next door climb over the fence to retrieve balls they throw or kick into my yard.  The parents do not supervise the boys. 

I recently called the police when the boys were playing with fire in the back yard.  Three boys each had an aerosol spray can with flammable contents.  They were turning the spray cans into flame throwers by lighting the flammable spray with a lighter and chasing each other around the back yard with the flame throwers.  One boy got burned on the ankle. 

Police car and fire truck came out and the mom got reprimanded by the police and fire officers.  Repeated code violations at this rental property.  Landlord doesn't care as long as he gets his rent. 

Jul 01, 2014 04:43 AM
Jeff Jensen
The Federal Savings Bank/Lending in 50 states - Greenwich, CT

I appreciate your sentiments.  We have had problem neighbors in the past.

Jul 01, 2014 07:40 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Wanda, I think all home owners need to read this post and take your advice!

Jul 01, 2014 03:31 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Great post, Wanda!      We have a neighbor who should have read this many years ago.    Great neighborhoods take a lot of work and maintenance  by all parties.   Like all relationships - yet not all are meant to work out. 

Jul 01, 2014 07:31 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Ron, Glad you have finally arrived!

Linda, That is so true. Everyone has the right to quiet enjoyment o matter where they live!

Sarah & John, Photographs with date and time stamp will help if she feels the need to take it a step further. All rules must be enforced and no 'favoritism' allowed!

Raymond, Thank you for stopping by!

Lisa, You have an exceptional situation and hope it lasts for you all. Awesome!

Kristin, We have had problems with home owners letting their dogs roam free and have seen them on the side of the road due to being hit. So sad!

Deborah, Too bad people play childish games when they could work it out in a civil manner. An HOA would be handy in your situation!

Gene, Many times that is the case. We have only had a few problems but thankfully, we have good neighbors.

Jerry, Sounds like 'boys gone wild' especially when mom is not around! Not acceptable!

Jeff, Most of the time, people can work to settle their difference if all parties are willing.

Sharon, I do agree and am always willing to pass along good information!

Dagny, Some people's expectations are set way too high and while we can only control our own actions, some wish to control everyone else's as well! Not going to happen.

Jul 02, 2014 02:35 AM
Chandler Real Estate Liz Harris, MBA
Liz Harris Realty - Chandler, AZ
#ChandlerRealEstateAgent

What a great post today, I had a pleasure reading it, cannot wait for the next one, have a great day! Liz in Chandler

Jul 02, 2014 09:38 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Thanks Liz! Glad you enjoyed the post!

Jul 02, 2014 11:25 AM