Are Your Neighbors Affecting Your Home Sale?

Hey Neighbor

Has your home been on the market for ages?  Your home has had a few showings but no offers have come in? what is causing the lack of interest in your home?

Perhaps the reason your home isn’t budging may be the same reason that you are trying to move, your neighbor’s property. It could be the unkempt lawn, the dilapidated exterior buildings, or maybe the neighbor’s home itself is lacking repair. Frustrating as a bad neighbor can be, there still may be hope for your home’s sale. Here are a few tips for dealing with less than ideal neighbors.

Charging down to your neighbor’s home and demanding that they address the issues with their property will be tempting, but you want to be sure of the issues in question before you make your claim. Speak with your Realtor and ask them what you think the problem is, and if they agree with your assessment that your neighbors are contributing to a lack of interest in your home. Be sure to ask around your neighborhood and ask other neighbors in the area what they think to gain perspective before making the trip to your problematic neighbor.

“Speak softly…”

Use tact when approaching your neighbors, telling them that they need to fix things right now will most likely result in strained relationships between you and them with the likelihood of your neighbor undertaking the desired remedies diminished greatly. Present yourself calmly and politely, offer to help them with the fixes and explain that the fixes will not only benefit yourself, but will also increase their home’s value as well. Should you feel that a direct conversation isn’t practical or ideal, try a more subtle push by organizing a neighborhood cleanup and hiring a junk removal service for the community. The problematic neighbors may just clean up their property without needing to be asked

“,,,and carry a big stick”

You’ve offered to help and asked nicely, you’ve done subtle suggestions and given them plenty of opportunities to remedy the issues, but they refuse. There are other steps you can take to force their hand into maintaining their property. Many municipalities  have bylaws concerning the upkeep of property, it may be time to get local officials involved.  Obtaining the backing of your other neighbors can make this process easier to accomplish. Remember though, you should always approach the neighbors first and ask nicely before reporting them to the authorities.

Messy neighbors can be a hurdle to getting your home sold, but can be overcome. The vast majority of cases a bit of diplomacy and the other to help will bring about the solution.

Have you tried selling your home and given up? Was it a lack of interest in your home, lackluster service from your agent, the process being too confusing or tiring, or all three? Let me help you with your real estate goals, My team has decades of combined experience in real estate and I’m considered an expert in my field. Give me a call or send me an email, I’d love to get in touch and answer any questions you may have about Durango real estate!  

Come and see what your home is worth instantly, zero hassle and free!

-Come and see homes for sale in your area here-

Give me a call at 970.335.8225 or send me an email at sam@thegallantnetwork.com