Daily Real Estate News  |  June 15, 2009  |   Clean the Ways of Messy Neighbors
A “neighbor from hell” can reduce the value of a property as much as 20 percent, estimates Sid Davis, a real estate practitioner and author of “A Survival Guide to Selling a Home.”

Here are some of Davis' suggestions for approaching the problem.

• Reason with the neighbors. Advise your client to knock on the door and start by saying something positive like, “I’m sure we can resolve this together.”

• Suggest your client volunteer to do the work himself. Sometimes properties are in poor condition because their owners are unable to do the work and can’t afford to hire someone else to do it.

• Offer moral support. While it may work best if your client does the talking, having a real estate professional nearby can ease the situation. Occasionally, getting support from the local authorities or the neighborhood association can help, especially if you are initially rebuffed.

• Lawsuits are a last resort. Sometimes communities have mediation services that can help resolve the problem harmoniously.

Source: Universal Press Syndicate, Ellen James Martin (06/12/2009)