Warning: Rotten Neighbors Next Door

A controversial Web site gives new meaning to "Love thy neighbor." We've all lived next to an annoying neighbor, or maybe you are that person. I mean is it really necessary for someone to blast their electric guitar in the middle of the night or leave Halloween decorations up until Thanksgiving. Well stew no longer. Rottenneighbor.com brings homegrown griping to the Internet.

Rotten Neighbor is the first real estate search engine of its kind allowing people to rate and review good and bad neighbors before and after they move. The company's mantra says, "The site enables consumers to make smart real estate decisions. How? By user contributed information on millions of neighbors and neighborhoods nationwide as well as helping you understand local neighborhood trends."                                          

For example, a user can start their real estate search in Echo Heights, N.C., by searching city, zip code or street address, and then they can compare local trends on one block to another. From barking dogs to the party-crazed socialites, users can anonymously tattle away on the site.

Play nice
If you're on the receiving end of the stick, the site may not sit well. Real estate agents are also sharing their frustrations, arguing that it can paint an unfair and skewed picture of a home and its surrounding neighborhood. My friend who's an agent, said he's worried that if he's trying to sell a beautiful home in a family-friendly neighborhood, and there's one malicious comment about the home next door, buyers may look the other way.

Restaurant owners have been arguing the same point with Web sites that allow ordinary customers to rate and review the service and food. Welcome to the Internet revolution. Fact or fiction, everyone can put their opinion out there. But it's important to note that given the option, not all users on these sites use it as an outlet to slam their adversaries. When I was a catering manager, I remember reading numerous complimentary reviews from customers, which helped offset any negative comments that were posted.

In order to post a comment on Rotten Neighbor, users must register with the site and agree to their terms and conditions. Not all comments have to be negative. Users can rate a neighbor either rotten or rad. Posts that are offensive and violate the terms and conditions of the Rotten Neighbor site can be flagged for removal. When a post is flagged, it is sent to a mediator who then determines whether or not the post should be removed.

Worried that you've rubbed your neighbor the wrong way? Type in your address in the search engine and see if you appear on the site. I am glad to report that I have yet to bring either love or disdain from my neighboring cohorts.

Do you think Rotten Neighbor empowers consumers, or does it invade the privacy of others?