How to Spot Bad Neighbors When Buying a House

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I had the worst neighbors EVER for several years--4 young adult children & their live-in dates living with the parents in a 3 bedroom house. Cars all over the place; they were operating an illegal small engine repair shop in the garage & parked vehicles they were parting out in front of my home. This was a lovely neighborhood; but the HOA Board backed down when the lunatic threatened lawsuits if the CC&Rs were enforced.
They were the only bad neighbors I have ever had; my current neighborhood is heaven compared to what the "Horrible Hillbillies" did to my old street. I sold, even though I liked the house. I have been thrilled every day since the move & it even worked out extremely well for me financially. In the end, Karma wins out.

tricia fa of NV 11:32PM January 28, 2013

@HATFIELDMCCOY, you're an old, racist, white guy aren't you?
Signed, someone that had to live next to one of you for several years.

Marc of AZ 5:06PM September 21, 2012

How about people with a 5 acre attitude in a postage stamp lot? Neighbors moved from Westchester County NY to LA .....one & 1/2 years of remodeling .... when we finally objected to contactors parking in front of our house EVERY day (blocking trash cans from pick-up, street sweeping, and also destroying our yard), they complained to neighborhood watch & we rec'd a lecture. They have zero idea of "inside voices" in their teensy though enchanting remodeled So Cal backyard. We are no longer on speaking terms.

they ain't gonna drive me out of CA 10:00PM August 24, 2012

One telling indicator, regardless of how the actual property is maintained, is way too many vehicles in the driveway for the size of the home (or even on the lawn, if it's not restricted). It screams 'hang out house' and you can expect beer parties, loud music and constant traffic.
Don't be fooled by the age of the owners -- there's plenty of middle aged jerks who refuse to utilize considerate behavior. Pools are another big one; most likely you will be dealing with loudmouths and margarita clambakes at one point or another. Another non PC red flag is children's toys scattered around all over the place, instead of being picked up and put away properly -- the kids will end up trespassing on everyone's property as the parents shrug their shoulders, until they get injured on your lawn, then it's civil lawsuit time.
Do google searches -- you'll be amazed at the number of police reports on domestic disturbances and drug raids pop up . Check the property at various times, especially on weekend evenings. Also notice if the neighbors have a general routine -- do they go to work at a set time, or does someone always seem to be there (retirees excluded). Signed, someone who had to live by a horrible neighbor for several years.

HatfieldMcCoy of LA 6:12PM August 03, 2012

I recently moved out of the"glorified ghetto" and into a suburban neighborhood with my middle class white husband. And this article is very biased like Socrates said. We have a neighbor very opposite of what is described in this article. Our neighbor is retired and takes care of his lawn like no one I know. He keeps up with his house beautifully, even makes us look bad. But he complains about everything! He is always listening to our conversations and looking in to our yard, so we have no privacy! He is picky about parking so if we park out of where he think we should, in fron of our own house, he will indirectly curse outside when we are outside. And one time when I was putting stone down one stone got in front of his lawn and he picked it up and grumpily said "Is this your rock?!" And threw it over our house. So this artice is mistaken.

HomemakerPage of PA 11:30AM July 02, 2012

Bad neighbors can be in really nice neighborhoods. Doesn't have to be rentals or low income!! I lived in an expensive neighborhood and my neighbors were awful. We had CC&Rs that specifically stated you could not have radios or music in your backyard but my neighbor played music in the back yard 14 hours everyday. She was even on the HOA board. It became a problem when I sold my home and I had to disclose them as a nuissance. During the brokers tour the music was on loud - at 9 am - and my agent was asked numerous times about it. It greatly diminished the value of my home (besides driving me nutty for 6 years).

Tee of CA 1:58PM April 21, 2012

Items 1-3 of the bad things to lookout for in this article describe our subdivision perfectly--a glorified ghetto. We are in the process of escaping, and have done our due diligence at the place we are buying.

Socrates of NC 2:24PM January 26, 2012

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!!

RoboReemer of KY 12:42AM June 27, 2011

The borrower and the lender need to do the calculation to see how long it will take for the effect of the lower interest rate to make up for the cost of the refinance, read more about refinancing your home at "123 Refinances"

thomascruz44 of CA 4:36AM June 18, 2011