How to deal with neighbours from hell

By Wayne Karl
December 16, 2014

Whether you’re a prospective buyer or a seller, dealing with neighbours from hell is a scary proposition.

Just how scary?

Heather Holmes, broker for ReMax Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage, in Toronto, shares some gory details.

“I dealt with this exact situation earlier this year,” Holmes told New Home & Condo Guide.

And it cost her – and her clients – dearly.

“I listed a three-bedroom semi in the hot Toronto neighbourhood of Leslieville. The house was fully renovated, move-in condition and had rare two-car parking. Houses in our market were being listed at or below market value, ‘holding back’ on offers until a week after listing, easily commanding six to 15 buyers’ offers, and selling for 10 to 20 per cent over the listing price.”

This particular house was attached to a home in disrepair, where the owners habitually drank beer and smoked cigarettes on their front porch.

????????????????????????????????????????????

“My clients and I were sensitive to the fact that this would turn off some potential buyers,” says Holmes. “We listed the house for $20,000 less than I would have recommended without this stigma.

“Our offer date was set for one week after listing. We had lots of traffic – more than 50 potential buyers viewed the home. Come offer night, however, we were presented with only one offer, below the asking price.

“My clients decided to sign back at the full asking price. The offer went back to the potential buyers, but just as their agent was getting into his car to meet his clients, two police cars pulled up to the neighbour’s house to respond to a domestic situation. Appalled, the buyers' agent had to let his clients know, and they decided not to accept our sign-back.”

Noisy neighbours

The house remained on the market, and did, in fact, sell a few days later for the full asking price.

Here’s where this neighbours from hell story really gets unpleasant.

“The neighbours on the other side of my client’s (not the attached semi) listed their almost identical home a few weeks later, and sold in multiple offers for $90,000 more than my clients sold for.

“So, in this case, the neighbours from hell cost them almost $100,000.”

Yes – $100,000.

How to deal with the neighbours from hell?

Holmes offers these tips:

For sellers

  • You want your neighbours to be cooperative, without insulting their lifestyle. Offer to have a lawn service come over to cut their lawn, for example, at your expense.
  • Ask them if you bought them a case of their favourite beer, would they mind sitting in the backyard, rather than the front.
  • Think creatively as to how you can get the result you want, but positioning it as also in your neighbour’s best interests.

Lawn trimming

For buyers

  • To protect yourself from buying this type of home, ask other neighbours to get the lowdown on what’s going on in the “suspect” house.
  • A home is likely the largest asset you will own, so don’t be shy about approaching others on the street for insight.
  • Such problems could turn out to be worse than you can imagine – or conversely, not a big deal at all.
  • Ask the listing agent direct questions – they are ethically and legally bound to answer questions about the property honestly.

 

 

About Wayne Karl

Wayne Karl is an award-winning writer and editor with experience in real estate and business. Wayne explores the basics – such as economic fundamentals – you need to examine when buying property. wayne.karl@nexthome.ca

Have great ideas? Become a Contributor.

Contact Us

Our Publications

Read all your favourites online without a subscription

Read Now

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

Sign up to receive the smartest advice and latest inspiration from the editors of NextHome

Subscribe