While some neighbors are playfully engaged in “keeping up with the Joneses,” others find themselves next door to Joneses who don’t take care of their homes or yards. The situation can cause a lot of angst as neighbors worry about how to approach the neglectful property owners.
If you’re trying to sell your home, that ups the ante for finding a solution to the eyesore next door. Experts say the poorly kept property will almost certainly affect your ability to sell your home for top dollar.
Start by trying to reason with your neighbors, perhaps even offering to help them get the property in shape, advises Holly Slaughter, editor-in-chief of the RealEstate.com Tips and Tools section. Improving the look of your neighbor’s property is a form of home staging, she said.
“Everybody wants that great-looking yard, but there can be obstacles,” she said. Someone’s work schedule might have gotten heavier, or their lawn mower has broken, or there might be temporary financial or health issues.
Start with a friendly conversation, Slaughter suggested. “The angle to take is how can you help them. What are the barriers that can be broken down? Maybe you can pitch in, and if you don’t have time, maybe you hire a lawn service while your home is up for sale.”
Of course, she said, the friendly neighbor tactic works best if you are actually friendly neighbors. If not, that conversation can be a little more challenging.
If there are multiple problems with the eyesore next door, think about “where you can achieve the big wins,” Slaughter said. Overgrown yards are easy to fix with a mower. If you can’t deal with the whole yard, consider focusing on getting the front yard in shape, she said. And a good power-washing could make the house look better.
If the neighbor has a yard full of junk, they might be able to temporarily move it to a garage or shed, she said – either theirs or yours. But “if they think it’s artistic, you’re probably not going to have much luck,” she said.
If honest, friendly dialogue doesn’t work, you might have recourse through the authorities.
The code enforcement office of your city or county might be able to compel your neighbor to mow, clean up trash and remove abandoned cars from the street and yard. If the property is truly a health hazard, harboring rats or septic problems, the health department might get involved. If the property is abandoned, the city or county might even tear it down. It can’t hurt to ask if other avenues fail.
If you’re not sure where to start, try calling your representative on the city council or the county board. They should be able to help you navigate the regulatory maze.
Rules differ by jurisdiction, though. And even if authorities take action on a complaint, it can take weeks or months before anything actually changes.
But chances are that a friendly, collaborative approach and a helping hand will make a difference, and you just may be able to do away with that eyesore while you’re selling your home.
Published on May 30, 2007