Curb appeal is extremely important when selling a home—and messy neighbors not only send red flags to potential buyers; they can cost you big bucks.
“Unfortunately, a neighbor’s unkempt property can very much distract or deter potential buyers,” says Robert Dodson, sales manager and broker at Charles Burt Realtors in Joplin, MO.
More than half of real estate agents (55%) believe that junk or clutter in neighbors’ yards “significantly decreases” your property value, according to a recent study by StorageUnits.com.
At least 28% of real estate agents feel it would diminish your property value by 15% to 20%.
Another 21% believe the decrease would be more in the 30% to 50% range.
The top items in neighbors’ yards that real estate agents said would lower your property value the most are: trash (85%), excessive clutter (82%), yard waste (69%), old cars (57%), building materials (52%), and too many cars (42%).
Meanwhile, 10% of real estate agents say neighbors’ RVs can harm your property value, while another 10% believe their boats can.
At least 7% feel neighbors’ cars parked in the driveway instead of the garage can also have a negative effect.
How to speak up if you have a messy neighbor
So, how can you politely ask neighbors to clean up their act?
“If you have a rapport with your neighbor, be upfront and let them know you’re going to list your home,” says etiquette expert Lisa Grotts, from Healdsburg, CA. “A polite way to encourage your neighbor to improve their yard without causing tension is to explain that their home has just as much to add to the selling process as yours does.”
Use a friendly tone, and make the approach light and considerate without coming off as confrontational.
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Grotts suggests saying something like this: “Hi, Trish. I hope you don’t mind me bringing this up, but I noticed the yard’s been looking a little overgrown lately. I completely understand how life can get busy — it happens to all of us! I just thought I’d mention it in case you hadn’t had the chance to take care of it. If you ever need a hand or a recommendation for a landscaper, let me know. We have a terrific team.”
If you get any pushback, offer to foot the bill for the yard cleanup or a house cleaner, and see if that encourages them to agree.
What to do if your neighbor won’t cooperate
If, after being upfront and polite, your neighbors still don’t want to clean up, Grotts suggests taking things step by step.
“Wait and see, offer a friendly follow-up and, if all else fails, go to your HOA or report the issue to local authorities,” she says. “Perhaps they can be the ones to intervene.”
Your real estate agent can always speak up, as well.
“Agents also have a unique opportunity to canvas the neighborhood and have conversations with the neighbors about the endeavor to sell a specific property and how they can help make the neighborhood appear more attractive,” says Dodson.
If that doesn’t work, you may just have to live with the eyesore next door and hope for the best.
There is one more thing you can do, though.
“As an agent, I purposefully will write the directions to a property that follows a route that is more appealing to the eye if the most direct route has unfavorable scenery,” says Dodson.