HELP--NEIGHBORS ARE KILLING MY HOME'S VALUE

Buying & Selling Real Estate
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HELP--NEIGHBORS ARE KILLING MY HOME'S VALUE

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Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes

now be warned, i do not have any empirical data or formuals for proof. however, 2 differnt showings have loved my rehab, but said the neighbors are killing it for them and they wouldn't ever live next to such people. quick recap, 6 cars in front of their house, 3 are on grass, other 3 are on driveway or in street. not sure if i should call the city or just talk to them? they have a few kids in their 20's that live there and don't work. instead they sit in their cars that don't run, and blast rap all day. their friends come over, and they blast rap together. cars stop by all the time for 20 seconds, go inside, get 'something' and leave. drugs?? who knows, maybe not...the thing is, they're super friendly people. should i just talk to them about not killing my sale?? lol. i was thikning about offering them 500 bucks to keep quiet and clean for a month or 2 until the place sells, and pay them when the house sells...would yall consider that rude or offensive?? none of this was going on when i bought back in february, but now they're out and about in the summertime, and killing my showings. you guys have any advice?? people drive up, see 10 thugs outside, and no matter how great the house is, don't like the neighbors. don't wanna step on toes, and piss people off when i have a vacant remodeled house..then again, i need to do something. what do you guys thiink?? anyone ever encountered this and have a great solution?? thanks

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Steve Babiak
Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
16y

Buy tickets to a ballgame for the neighbors - and schedule an open house for the starting time of that ballgame.

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  • Josh Green
    Financial Advisor · Tampa Area, FL · Member since 2008 · 956 posts · 214 votes
    16y

    call code enforcement

    0Reply
  • Loc R.
    Note Investor · Pasadena, CA · Member since 2009 · 849 posts · 544 votes
    16y

    Bryan,

    On the idea of paying them to keep quiet...just use the Golden Rule here.

    One idea would be to track down the owner of the house and see if they're willing to sell it to you on the cheap.

    Or vice-versa...sell it to them. They probably have lots of cash sitting around.

    0Reply
  • Mark N.A
    Real Estate Investor · North Carolina · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 483 votes
    16y

    Tough dilemma, Bryan.

    Very creative solution to offer monetary incentives but it's such bad karma.....

    Are they renters or owners? Owners 'should' want high nearby comps. So should LLs, but if not, review local codes and, if possible, make large complaints.

    My partner once hid inside a vacant property and documented the "bad" behavior going on next door. We made large complaints, got the police involved, followed by the LL, and changed the situation for the better.

    Good luck and keep us posted.

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  • Account Closed
    OP
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    josh, to my knowledge, code enforcement won't be able to do anything about rap music being played, or thugs hanging outside, bc the truth is that if these were handsome guys dressed in polo shrits and khakis it wouldn't bother people--sorry if that's not PC enough for some people. you can't discriminate agaisnt these people bc they dress like criminals, (although i'm so perplexed how they manage to keep their pants from not falling to the ground lol) so yes, code enforcement may be able to do something about the cars, but that really only solves a part of the problem..they can still hang outside on their property. and if i call code enforcement, then im'd ealing with pissed off neighbors. it may be better to jsut talk to them and offer the cash. hate to piss off neighbors that know a house is vacant. what doyou think???

    1Reply
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    OP
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    hey loc,

    what's the golden rule?? money talks?? lol. as for the owner......she lives there..her kids are the problem hahaha

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    mark, i thoguth about calling the cops, but i don't really have anythign on them....it's all suspicion at the moment. at any rate, it just looks bad, and i don't think that's the cops responsiblity to help make my property look 'good'. ya know?? the owner livs there, and she's a nice lady..that's why i was thinking i could talk to her. i've paid her son to cut the grass twice, so i've developed a nice relationsihp with her to be honest..ik just didn't wanna be one of those rude 'big shot investors' that offered money for her to clean up her "hillbilly-looking hard and hoodlum children"...cuz im pretty suer that's how it'll come off lol

    0Reply
  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    16y

    Were they there when you bought this place? If they've just moved in maybe they will move out soon. If they were there seems like you would have considered that in figuring your ARV. The neighborhood does have an effect.

    1Reply
  • Bill Gulley
    Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    16y

    Hi, don't even think of approaching them with a payoff, they will just hold you up for more.

    Most municipalities have a noise ordinance, noise should not go beyound the property line, and at certain times, check that out and report it until the cops get sick of going there and then the cops will really crack down on them. I know that works.

    Instead of paying those guys $500, that would pay for ten really big guys to go talk to them in the way they could understand, you know, with hand shakes, signs, colors, etc. and make it very clear to them to knowck it off and get quiet. They won't know where those guys come from, they just need to tell those guys they have friends in the neighborhood and they are tired of hearing them. Just a thought....Bill

    3Reply
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    OP
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    hey jon, they did live there when i buoght the place...but i bought in february when it was still cold, so they weren't outside playing rap and hanging out then...and since then, they've added a few cars to the yard lol.

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    OP
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    thanks for the tips bill..this is a small community though, and i feel like they'll know what's going on...maybe i should just directly speak with them...just nto sure if they'll take offense, i don't wanna come off as rude or that im' talking down to them

    0Reply
  • Jim Wineinger
    Real Estate Investor · ten mile, TN · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 374 votes
    16y

    Code enforcement is a whole lot more than just number of cars. It also speaks to the probable fact that in this SFH you may have several "unrelated" people there due to the number of cars (have the owners names checked by registrations). Then there is also maximum occupancy standards, and other code enforcement regulations that officials can be informed of without having to get your name involved as of yet.

    All the while having the showing realtor take approiate pictures (they are always taking pictures) which doccuments some suspicions for later official complaints, if needed.

    And code enforcement comes from more than one departemnt. Building code enforcement is one thing, zoning enforcement is another, and police enforcement is yet another.

    Get to know a local official (since you are helping upgrade the neighborhood) and see what kind of suggestions they may have to keep you investing in the neighborhood. The "elected" officials can be a good source of convincement to other powers to ACT approiately.

    0Reply
  • Steve L.
    Investor · Rancho Cucamonga, CA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 684 votes
    16y

    I'd be pretty insulted if someone offered me money temporarily to make my kids act differently. Very tough situation.

    I think 2 showings is not enough, someone will like the house. Maybe you can suggest to agents that early morning showings 8-11am work the best as there is XYZ construction going on in the afternoon? Or times when the kids are likely sleeping.

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    16y

    Buy tickets to a ballgame for the neighbors - and schedule an open house for the starting time of that ballgame.

    4Reply
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    OP
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    thanks for the advice guys. steve, that's a great idea...i just hope they don't catch on.

    and steve l, these "kids" of hers are older than i am. if they were children, it woudlnt' be a big deal. but to see 25 year old "kids" hangin in chairs and drinkin on the lawn at 3 in the afternoon, is bad news

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    16y

    Give them some beer money for the ballgame too, then. :D

    3Reply
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    OP
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    with these rascals, i think i need tosave the beer for me and the open house...lol....thanks ffor the tip though, i may have to figure somethin like that out..the truth is though, that people will have the address and can drive by whenever they want at anyother time when these guys will be home...nothin i can do about that except pay their mother off, but i'm stillnot sure if that's ethical..i've mowed neighbor's yards before when doing rehabs, but this is a little more personal

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    16y

    If they are drinking alcoholic beverages outside in public, you should look into whether that is permitted in your area. I think that might just be truly breaking the law - but probably just a misdemeanor.

    0Reply
  • Ron Harris
    Investor · Oklahoma City, OK · Member since 2010 · 279 posts · 90 votes
    16y

    Maybe distribute flyers throughout the neighborhood that code enforcement with officials will be monitoring the neighborhood for the next 2 months for the "neighborhood watch" and reporting violations to the police, housing authority, census, DHS ...etc. Plaster the neighborhood, but make sure they get one too (on each car).

    Of course, you probably should find out if you can actually distribute something like this or you may be in trouble, too.

    0Reply
  • Ibrahim Hughes
    Real Estate Consultant · Bloomfield, NJ · Member since 2010 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    I actually know people like this Bryan. Trust me. The BEST thing to do is to approach them like a man, pay them respect and talk to them about how their behavior is making it difficult for you to sell the house. Believe it it not (especially since you say they are friendly) they may understand and tone it down. Try it.

    I don't like the suggestion about hiding the problem until it sneak up on your new buyers. Karma WILL come back to bite you.

    2Reply
  • Ron Harris
    Investor · Oklahoma City, OK · Member since 2010 · 279 posts · 90 votes
    16y

    A shotgun works too, but usually it's a one time thing since you'll be in an orange jump suit thereafter...

    1Reply
  • Bill Patterson
    Real Estate Investor · Portage, MI · Member since 2010 · 470 posts · 315 votes
    16y

    Bryan, if you can't beat them....join them! I'd talk to them and ask if they knew any potential buyers for your great property. Let them know that if they can find a buyer for you, that you will throw a big party for all (or other compensation that you may be able to work out). Most likely their friends or referrals won't be turned off by their antics!

    4Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    hey bill..great idea..i actually did that lol..told them i'd pay them 500 bucks if they brought me a buyer. i had a talk with them last week and they weren't happy, but it's been better since then. the mom told me they were planning on moving this summer anyways..maybe i can buy their home..kill 2 birds?? anyways, when prospective buyers call me, i'm honest and tell them why it hasn't sold, and that the neighbors are friendly though so feel free to say hey to them, and then i also let them know i'm trying to buy their house soon, and that they'll be moving out. thanks for all the *creative* suggestions

    2Reply
  • Lisa Foo
    Member since 2010 · 14 posts · 0 votes
    16y

    OFfer to help clean the place up!!
    My brother cleaned up his neighbors entire yard since it was killing his leads.

    No, he didnt HAVE to clean it up, but hte fact is, if you want it to sell, you helping them over that is whats going to get it done. OFfer to take vehicles to a scrap yard, or show them how to donate the car and get tax benefits, tell them where a junkyard is where they can get money for parts, etc.

    not your responsibility,but it will be your gain in the end! FOR a neighborhood, i am not always willing to clean a neighbors yard if needed. BUt,since im on this site, you can clearly tell im no stranger to hard work.

    0Reply
  • Mark B
    Investor · Albuquerque, NM · Member since 2009 · 118 posts · 43 votes
    15y

    Well, now that it is winter, are these guys back inside? Time to sell!

    Just wondering what happened here. Update?

    I agree NOT to offer them money to be quiet, that can only backfire in so many ways. I think Bill had a great idea to get them involved in the sell by offering them the finders fee. Even if they have no leads, it gives you the opportunity to talk about what potential buyers are looking for and makes them more aware that you need their help.

    Most cities have a rule about cars on lawns or quantity in the front yard. I'd definitely go to the zoning department and explain the situation there to get advice.

    Looking forward to hearing the update.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    hey there..thanks for making me update this! the property did sell..i just get antsy and anxious...in truth, it was only on the market 2-3 weeks until i went under contract...not the worst thing in the world.....as for the neighbors, i did talk to them, and it did not go over well...in the end though, i priced it right, and so someone was willing to take the house with those neighbords for the price

    1Reply
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