Selling Your House Next to the Neighborhood Eyesore

Sellers often work hard to improve their yards and homes before putting up the "For Sale" sign. It can be frustrating, to say the least, if a seller's home is immaculate - and their neighbor's home is anything but. What can a seller do to eliminate the eyesore next door? Should they even try to influence how the neighborhood looks, or merely focus on their own home?

Real estate agent Patricia Alfonso says the sellers should definitely take a look at their own neighborhood, because potential buyers certainly will. "The buyers will definitely look at the surrounding neighborhood, and even if your house is fixed up, if other homes aren't maintained, it will affect the value of your property," she explains.

Alfonso relates a recent sale she was making, where one serious buyer, initially interested in the home, turned away because of the condition of a nearby home and the people who lived in it. "They said, �I don't like the neighbor'. That can really keep buyers away, no matter what you do to your own home."

Most communities in the East Bay have an agency they can report problems to, but which agency handles the problem depends on the structure of local government. Frequently, the Planning Department, or Public Works Department will handle this type of complaint. Of course, eyesores which are also fire hazards may be handled by the local Fire Department as well.
In 1999, the City of San Leandro transferred most of these duties to the Community Compliance section of the San Leandro Police Department. Headed by unit supervisor Bill Baptista, the unit is charged with enforcing the zoning code, as well as preservation ordinances and related laws.

Baptista says before talking to the problematic neighbor, the seller should think about their relationship with that person. "It depends on how much rapport you have with your neighbor. If your neighbor doesn't know you well, and you bring it up, then they are likely to reject any suggestions. Then, when you call the enforcement agency, they will know who called, even if you phone it in anonymously, because you just had that conversation with them."