In a perfect world, you would get along perfectly with your neighbors. But sometimes, your neighbors might be less-than-ideal, and while that can be challenging to deal with while you’re living nearby, those neighbors can get even more challenging when it comes time to sell your home.
A recent article for realtor.com outlined three types of neighbors that can block your home sale, and how to deal with them, including:
- The neighbor that wants your home. If your neighbor is looking to expand their property, and your home would allow them to do so, they may try to discourage other buyers so they can take your property for themselves. If you find yourself in this situation, you could sell to your neighbors… if they’re offering the right price, of course. But if you don’t want to go down that road, either because of their behavior or a lowball offer, tell them directly that you won’t be selling to them, and if they continue to frighten off would-be buyers, your next step will be to get a lawyer involved.
- The less-than-friendly neighbor. When someone is buying your home, they’re also buying the neighborhood, and if you have an unfriendly, mean, or abusive neighbor, that can make your property seem less appealing. If you have a neighbor with an attitude that could turn away potential buyers, you might be tempted to lie, but that could get you into legal trouble down the road if your buyers and the neighbor have issues. Instead, talk to your agent (and an attorney) to figure out what and how much you need to disclose.
- The neighbor that doesn’t take care of their property. You might keep your property in pristine shape, but if your neighbor has let their home and property fall into disrepair, it could discourage buyers. If you have a good relationship with your neighbor, let them know you’re getting ready to sell, and offer to help them spruce up their property. If you have a homeowners’ association, you could also loop them in and see if they can take action under their bylaws to compel the owner to clean their place up.