By Canmore Investment Group

Powered By The Latimore Team In Partnership With Keller Williams Realty. For A FREE Home Sale Consultation Call 800-836-3202 ext.6001

ARE NEIGHBORS AFFECTING PROPERTY VALUES?

One of the best things about a home can be living next to wonderful neighbors. Unfortunately, neighbors can also be a source of dissatisfaction with a home or neighborhood.

From loud noises to barking dogs and trash-filled yards, some neighbors can have an impact on property value and can deter potential buyers. When buyers tour homes, they are making note of more than just the house – they are assessing their potential neighbors as well.

The discussion about neighbors and the community is an important conversation to have with your clients in the beginning of the relationship. Understand your clients wants and needs and help them find not only the home of their dreams, but the neighborhood of their dreams.

What Sellers Can Do: Sellers should talk with the owners of neighboring properties. Let them know they are selling the home and want to present the neighborhood in the best light possible.

Make sure to let your sellers know that they should not conceal real problems or create a facade during showings. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t work with their neighbors to help get not only their home show-ready, but the neighborhood as well.




Sellers are likely packing up their own belongings and trashing collected junk. They can offer to allow the neighbors to use their collection bin for free to dispose of their unwanted items that have become an eye sore in the yard.

If sellers are working on their own landscaping, they can buy a nice outdoor potted plant for the neighbors to place on their doorstep. They can also offer to help them tend their yard if interested.

What Buyers Can Do
Help your clients do their homework on the neighborhood. Visit the neighborhood at different times of the day with them so they can see what kind of night atmosphere exists. Encourage them to take time to walk around the neighborhood. If neighbors are outside, talk to them.



General Neighbor Relations Tips for All

1. Let the neighbors know about the situation and how it is causing a disturbance. It could very well be that your neighbors don’t realize the issue. By giving them the benefit of the doubt, you will be kinder in your approach, as well as received on a good note.


2. If your neighbors are hard to contact by phone or won't answer their door, send them a short note.

3. Addressing the issue is the first step. As a priority, offer to compromise and offer solutions as well. This shows that you have thought this through and understand that to peacefully co-exist, both parties must be willing to do some work.

4. Be informed. Know the ordinances and regulations on noise, trash and curfews that govern your homeowner's association, municipality, county and/or state. Often times, if a home is in an HOA managed community, the association can handle the issue.

5. Don't forget the golden rule. If you want good neighbors, you should be one too. By approaching the issues with empathy and understanding, you are most likely to have a successful dialogue and solution.


–by Keller Williams International

The Latimore Team’s Real Estate Directory
FREE Instant Access To Your Home Valuewww.ColumbiaHouseValue.com

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The Latimore Team
Donald & LaToya Latimore
Residential Listing & Home Buyer Specialists
800-836-3202 ext. 6001
Email: HomeSales@LatimoreTeam.com
Keller Williams, Realty, Columbia NE

140 Wildewood Park Dr. Columbia, SC 29223

10 SECURITY SOLUTIONS to Keep Your Home Protected

1 Invest in an alarm system. The sound of an alarm not only deters burglars, it alerts neighbors and notifies law enforcement.

2 Put up an obvious surveillance camera. A basic camera for your front porch can cost as little as $100.

3 Clear shrubbery and trees that obstruct interior/exterior views. Safety experts suggest the three-foot-by-six-foot rule: keep shrubs trimmed down to three feet in height and keep tree branches pruned up to six feet off the ground.

4 There are more nighttime hours this time of year. Motion detector lights will ensure your home stays lit without racking up your electricity bill.

5 Deadbolt your front and back doors. Statistics show that 34 percent of intruders enter through the front door and 22 percent through the back door.

6 If you have sliding doors, place a metal bar along the bottom track. This will prevent an intruder from forcing the door open. A closet rod is an inexpensive solution in a pinch.

7 Buy a safe. A safe is the perfect place to store important documents, valuables, cash and jewelry.

8 Conceal your home’s exterior wiring. Burglars will look for ways to cut electricity in order to knock out lights and security systems.

9 Dogs are a major deterrent to home burglaries. Even if you don’t own a dog, any dog-type decoration, doormat, statue or sign may be all a would-be burglar needs to see to think otherwise.

10 Resist the urge to post on social media! Hold off on sharing your fun vacation photos until after you have returned home safely.








The Latimore Team’s Real Estate Directory
FREE Instant Access To Your Home Valuewww.ColumbiaHouseValue.com

Search Homes: www.LatimoreTeam.com
CLICK HERE To Download our Mobile App

Want to start a career in real estate? CLICK www.NationalRealEstateCareers.com

The Latimore Team
Donald & LaToya Latimore
Residential Listing & Home Buyer Specialists
800-836-3202 ext. 6001
Email: HomeSales@LatimoreTeam.com
Keller Williams, Realty, Columbia NE

140 Wildewood Park Dr. Columbia, SC 29223