Would a messy garden next door put you off buying?

willis

Hi,
I'm looking for a house to do up and make a bit of money on, so I'll have more equity to put into buying a long term family house. I have modernised a house before and made money, and want to do it another time as I can't afford a house in the areas I would like to live long-term so need more equity!

Anyway, I plan to live in this house for around 6 months while I do all the work, then sell it. I saw a house today which is well within budget, a lovely big house in a reasonably nice area with lots of modernisation needed. I have done some research and believe it could be quite profitable.

The main problem with the house is the neighbours. Even though it's an ok area, the neighbours houses look pretty rough and I am worried it will put people off when I sell. There are about 3 caravans in the drive of the house next door, plus a big pile of rubbish (scrap metal, wood etc etc) in their back garden. There is also a pile of rubbish in the other neighbour's garden. It does just seem to be the immediate neighbours as other houses in the road are smart and obviously well cared for.
I don't really mind as I won't be there for that long, but I'm really worried it will put potential buyers off when I come to sell. Is the large potential profit worth the risk? Do viewers look at how well cared for the neighbour's houses are or is that just me?

Thanks

Cassa

It would put me off I'm afraid.

Carter_2

I do look at neighbours properties and if you look at my thread - 'Neighbours - should I be concerned?' I asked the same question about unkept houses. It was casting doubt in my mind as to whether to go ahead with my purchase. It was just the one house in an otherwise immaculate cul de sac and I ended up knocking on that neighbours door today as I had to satisfy myself they were ok.

You may get other conflicting views as this is just my opinion.

Horasio

willis wrote:

Hi,
I'm looking for a house to do up and make a bit of money on, so I'll have more equity to put into buying a long term family house. I have modernised a house before and made money, and want to do it another time as I can't afford a house in the areas I would like to live long-term so need more equity!

Anyway, I plan to live in this house for around 6 months while I do all the work, then sell it. I saw a house today which is well within budget, a lovely big house in a reasonably nice area with lots of modernisation needed. I have done some research and believe it could be quite profitable.

The main problem with the house is the neighbours. Even though it's an ok area, the neighbours houses look pretty rough and I am worried it will put people off when I sell. There are about 3 caravans in the drive of the house next door, plus a big pile of rubbish (scrap metal, wood etc etc) in their back garden. There is also a pile of rubbish in the other neighbour's garden. It does just seem to be the immediate neighbours as other houses in the road are smart and obviously well cared for.
I don't really mind as I won't be there for that long, but I'm really worried it will put potential buyers off when I come to sell. Is the large potential profit worth the risk? Do viewers look at how well cared for the neighbour's houses are or is that just me?

Thanks

I would worry about whether the were nice neighbours whilst you were there - they sound like chavs - avoid

Horasio

Carter wrote:

I do look at neighbours properties and if you look at my thread - 'Neighbours - should I be concerned?' I asked the same question about unkept houses. It was casting doubt in my mind as to whether to go ahead with my purchase. It was just the one house in an otherwise immaculate cul de sac and I ended up knocking on that neighbours door today as I had to satisfy myself they were ok.

You may get other conflicting views as this is just my opinion.

You have been thorough in your approach - I advise the OP to do the same if this was their only worry.

Are you feeling happier about the area now you have spoken to them? What did you say to them. I get tongue tied speaking to people at their front door:eek:

Sand_Man_2

When people come to see the house, they try to image a life style they would have there. Therefore, if the next doors house is really bad in terms of rubblish and neglect, it may put off potential buyers as they may assume that the neighbours are rowdy etc. Obvioulsy, this point all depends how much the neighbours image impacts on your properties image.

Carter_2

CCStar - I have actually started a new thread! I dont want to hijack this one but I will just say she is not English and is renting. She seemed very polite and quite a quiet person, there was no tv on and at first I though nobody was home. I feel a lot better now I have spoken to her thanks.

LizEstelle

Location, location...

Any one thing COULD put me off - it might depend on whether there were other compensating factors and how keen/desperate I was, whether I thought your price was good etc.

Horasio

Carter wrote:

CCStar - I have actually started a new thread! I dont want to hijack this one but I will just say she is not English and is renting. She seemed very polite and quite a quiet person, there was no tv on and at first I though nobody was home. I feel a lot better now I have spoken to her thanks.

Sorry :rolleyes: but you did mention it on this thread and simply asking how it went:(

Carter_2

Oh no! No need to apologise, I wasnt having a dig, far from it. It was nice of you to ask so please dont take my post the wrong way (Not sure which bloomin' 'smiley' thing I am supposed to use either)

cleoangel

I think that it would put me off, we have just sold (fingers crossed stage still though) and we have neighbours behind who think that if they shove all their junk out the back the clean-up fairies will dispose of it, and for ages 'we' did so that viewers would not see it etc.. the sofa being the next thing to get dumped is too big to stick in car and take to the tip. However we did sell with it there so maybe most people aren't that fussy?