When you’re selling your home, you’re most likely overwhelmed with the many moving parts in the process. However, have you also taken into account your neighbors when selling your home? They’re a crucial factor! Good neighbors can make any home appear far more desirable, whereas bad neighbors can put a damper on the best deal. Some of the main strategies to rely on include:
- Making friends, not enemies. Bad neighbors can bring out the worst in us. Still, it’s best not to engage when it comes to poor behavior. Instead, do your best to be a kind neighbor and keep the peace. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it can make the whole selling process easier.
- Knowing that curb appeal is important—and it doesn’t depend on your house alone. Though your home may look great, there could be a big problem if the other residences look unkempt or overgrown. Make sure to communicate with your neighbors throughout the selling process to minimize potential sources of dissuasion for homebuyers. Additionally, if your neighbor’s home needs a bit of work, consider trying to lend a hand. Bring up the fact that you’re moving—then ask if they mind letting you tidy up the appearance of their home. Make sure that you’re careful in your phrasing here so that it doesn’t sound like you’re criticizing them. You can also tell them that having a uniform appearance across the neighborhood could increase your chances of selling sooner. Finally, don’t make the mistake of telling your neighbors to fix their curb appeal—without extending any help. You could try and take on the handiwork yourself, or you could fund lawn-care and home services—within reason—if your neighbor permits it.
- Taking advantage of the Homeowners Association. If you’re having issues with your house’s appearance, the curb appeal of the homes around you, or a neighboring home without an owner to maintain it, get into contact with your neighborhood’s Homeowners Association. If you’re fortunate enough to have one, the organization can help you with questions and keeping up curb appeal.
- Communicating frequently. Whether you know that your yard is about to overflow with cars for your open house or your neighbor is known to have a cluttered lawn, the best medicine in communication. Make sure that you give neighbors the courtesy of knowing when showings are. Don’t forget to request that they clear messes off their lawns as well!
- Extending an invite to the showing. Another big potential use for your neighbors when selling your home involves them interacting with potential buyers during a showing. While you should never be present when a Realtor is showing your home, your neighbors are welcome to come. They’ll certainly appreciate the free food! Just make sure that the neighbors you invite are positive and reliable; otherwise, they can really ruin your chances of a sale. If you decide to try this idea out, make sure to frame it as a zero-obligations optional offer. You can also say that it might be fruitful for him or her to meet their potential new neighbor.
If you weren’t planning to consider using your neighbors when selling your home, you should definitely pick and choose which of the options above will best suit you. After all, putting a home on the market is a team effort—so don’t put the full burden on yourself. Happy selling!
Need some help selling your home? Ryan Roberts has you covered! Call him at (334) 750-9872 or email him at [email protected] to sell your home in the Opelika, Lake Martin, and Auburn area. And don’t forget to follow our blog for more real estate, property listing, and home maintenance tips.