Buying semi-detached - should I be concerned about who my neighbours will be?

Antman27

I saw a semi-detached property today and quite liked it. However, the the adjacent house was really shabby and their back garden when seen from this property's first floor was one of the most poorly maintained ones I've ever seen. It really put us off and are now seriously considering not putting in an offer.

We have friends who live on the same road and they reckon it's not a big deal as the street is quiet and they've never had any problems. We're still not convinced though as this will be our home for the long term. 

I know this is a personal choice and neighbours could change any time, so I'm not sure if we're overthinking this. Any comments/perspectives greatly appreciated.

Mojisola

You could move into a house with lovely neighbours who sell up soon after so you never really know who is going to be next door in the future.

As your friends know there haven't been any problems in the street, you need to decide if seeing the scruffy house and garden all the time would get on your nerves and upset you.

Gentoo365

Messy garden but otherwise unproblematic is better than perfect garden and party house all weekend.

You have a massive advantage in knowing someone on the street who can vouch for the low hassle of that area.

IAMIAM

I always knock on and state I am potentially buying the house and get a feel for it...

ForestBluebells

I went and knocked on the door of neighbours houses before I bought to get a feel for who I’d be living near

lonibra

It's quite a personal thing isn't it. As long as they aren't loud party people I wouldn't care. But then I know of people who place a lot of weight on how well manicured the front gardens look on the street they're looking to buy in.

benson1980

Our current and previous house have been next door to very neglected houses, and gardens- panned out fine. Aside from taking responsibility for sorting out boundaries in between, as already mentioned it is highly unlikely you will get any noise from them when enjoying your outdoor space, as they'll never be in theirs....

We also found the occupants pleasant enough

lookstraightahead

Our neighbours garden isn't perfect but they are very hard working people working for the NHS with two young twins and they are lovely.

they don't have time for their garden. There are bigger things in their life. Like saving the lives of those having accidents maintaining their gardens 😂

Cakeguts

It is probably an older person who isn't able to maintain the garden but will be a nice quiet neighbour?  I am sure you would prefer that to a family of screaming kids who were out making a lot of noise during the weekend.

climbthatwallseegar

My parents have a large garden that is a bit unkept. They are actually fairly houseproud but they are elderly and the garden is a lot of work. When the couple next door to them were moving the husband offered to tidy it up as I think he was worried about it affecting his sale. My dad declined and the neighbours house still sold very quickly so it obviously didn’t put buyers off. 

Phil4432

What do you mean by 'really shabby?'  Gutters not maintained?  Roof looks like its caving in?

If the garden is the only issue, and the rest of their home ok, I wouldn't be that put off.  But it really depends on who they are and what the rest of the property is like.

If it the whole neighbors house was in an obvious state of neglect, I'd not be interested.