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Dork27
LIF Zygote
Member since 11/14 4 total posts
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Buying a new house and neighbors
Hello ladies! I am new to this site and so far I love it. So much great info. My husband and I are looking for a house and I have a question for you. Would your decision to buy a house be swayed by the condition of the next door neighbors house?
I saw a beautiful house today, everything that we want and right in our price range. The block is nice but the house right next door is kind of shabby looking. Fence falling apart, mailbox broken and tilted over. Not kept up very well.
Would this make you pass on the house?
Thank for the opinions!
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Posted 11/12/14 3:28 PM  |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
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Buying a new house and neighbors
To some extent it probably would. If it was more "minor" things, like you mentioned, I don't think that would prevent me from buying. But if were bigger things like broen down cars parked in the yard and lots of "junk" around, that would probably make me think twice. It would also depend on how much of it directly impacted on the house I was considering buying (i.e. Is the fence between the 2 properties, is it falling onto what would be your property?)
But, we bought that run down house on the block - there was an older woman who lived there by herself and couldn't take care of things. The trees and bushes were so overgrown that the neighbors told us (after we moved in), that they called it the Adams Family House. We have since made tremendous changes. So, the house you're looking at - it could chnage for better or worse, anytime - just something to keep in mind.
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| Posted 11/12/14 3:45 PM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
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Re: Buying a new house and neighbors
I would be concerned but idk if I would let that stop me from buying. I would ask my realtor to find out what the story is with that house. Are they elderly who can't keep up with the house? Are they just slobs? That would make a difference.
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| Posted 11/12/14 4:57 PM |
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Dork27
LIF Zygote
Member since 11/14 4 total posts
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Buying a new house and neighbors
Thank you ladies!
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| Posted 11/12/14 9:52 PM |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
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Gina
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Buying a new house and neighbors
So funny you mention this bc there's a house for sale in my neighborhood that has everything we want, but doing a drive by, it's not surrounded by the nicest looking houses. Makes it a really tough decision. I don't know if i would go for it.
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| Posted 11/12/14 10:39 PM |
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Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
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Buying a new house and neighbors
I depends how bad the surrounding homes were. If it were just that house and the rest was a nice block I would overlook it. There's one house in my neighborhood like that, needs a paint jobs early bad, weeds growing up through all the cracks in the driveway, etc. the family is very nice though. You never know what someone's situation is as these things are expensive to get done. It doesn't always speak to the character of the homeowner...
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| Posted 11/12/14 10:52 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
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Buying a new house and neighbors
Neighbors can change at any time and a house that seems run down might have a very good reason. We live in a community that is still partially seasonal so sometimes leaves don't get picked up or flyers hang off mailboxes, etc. Honestly perfect lawns are not popular in my neighborhood. It doesn't bother me, we have amazing neighbors that all help each other out.
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| Posted 11/13/14 3:41 AM |
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Re: Buying a new house and neighbors
Posted by Mrs213
I depends how bad the surrounding homes were. If it were just that house and the rest was a nice block I would overlook it. There's one house in my neighborhood like that, needs a paint jobs early bad, weeds growing up through all the cracks in the driveway, etc. the family is very nice though. You never know what someone's situation is as these things are expensive to get done. It doesn't always speak to the character of the homeowner...
Agreed.
We have one house on our block like this and basically it was an older couple who walked away from the home. I really don't notice it anymore and all of our neighbors are awesome.
Right now we are the ugly house on the block because we are in the midst of renos that DH is doing himself to save us $$$$ so it is taking forever. I just had to actually renew our permits.
I'm the shoemaker's wife. 
We are also probably the neighbors who would do anything for any of our neighbors in need and have.
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| Posted 11/13/14 5:44 AM |
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Re: Buying a new house and neighbors
Posted by KellyFG
Neighbors can change at any time and a house that seems run down might have a very good reason. We live in a community that is still partially seasonal so sometimes leaves don't get picked up or flyers hang off mailboxes, etc. Honestly perfect lawns are not popular in my neighborhood. It doesn't bother me, we have amazing neighbors that all help each other out.
Yup! Another reason I like my hood is because there is no need to keep up with the Joneses here.
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| Posted 11/13/14 5:45 AM |
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Dork27
LIF Zygote
Member since 11/14 4 total posts
Name:
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Buying a new house and neighbors
Thanks very much for the opinions ladies!
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| Posted 11/13/14 4:58 PM |
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SHOPAHOLIC
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 1712 total posts
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Re: Buying a new house and neighbors
I'm sensitive to this myself and it made finding a house so much harder!
For things like a mailbox and some fencing I could probably live. If the grass is tall, siding falling off or in bad shape, junk all over the lawn or yard ( if that is visible from your property) I can't look past that stuff.
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| Posted 11/13/14 7:46 PM |
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justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
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Re: Buying a new house and neighbors
Honestly? I'd pass.
I'd just imagine that if there were ever an issue down the line - a tree falling over from their house to yours, or something else that could potentially affect the both of you - that they wouldn't be 'easy' to deal with in the situation (given their shabby property).
When we moved in, we found an issue that involved our neighbor (they planted bamboo years before we bought the house and it came over into our yard). The outcome was fine, but I attribute that to the fact that they tend to their property as though it were an arboretum.
Maybe that's short sighted of me...but it's SUCH a major purchase that I wouldn't be able to write it off and say, 'well, they probably are super helpful and have great character.' It might be too much of a gamble for me.
Message edited 11/13/2014 8:35:12 PM.
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| Posted 11/13/14 8:33 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
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Re: Buying a new house and neighbors
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
Posted by KellyFG
Neighbors can change at any time and a house that seems run down might have a very good reason. We live in a community that is still partially seasonal so sometimes leaves don't get picked up or flyers hang off mailboxes, etc. Honestly perfect lawns are not popular in my neighborhood. It doesn't bother me, we have amazing neighbors that all help each other out.
Yup! Another reason I like my hood is because there is no need to keep up with the Joneses here.
Same here. We have a house next door and another nearby that are not the nicest to look at. They are both older men who make an effort with their homes but just have oddball taste. However they are both amazing neighbors. One comes over and rakes our leaves or mows our lawn more often than I should admit since DH is always busy doing renovations inside. They bring DD gifts or veggies from their garden and just look out for everyone in general. On the other hand, the house with the OCD perfect house and lawn nearby are not our ideal neighbors for other reasons. I'm sure many people would disagree and be much more concerned about that kind of thing but it's just not me. We also probably couldn't afford to live in a neighborhood where every lawn and house was perfect!
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| Posted 11/13/14 9:02 PM |
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