New Survey Says This Is the Thing Your Neighbors Judge You For
Homeownership comes with a ton of responsibilities besides your mortgage: cleaning, upkeep, paying the bills. Being woven into the tapestry of your community is a rewarding return on investment, but a new survey reveals homeowners have a responsibility to their neighbors, too.
According to new research conducted by OfferPad, people tend to resent their neighbors’ messy yards. Makes sense: It will affect the purchasing decisions of future buyers. Even if the house itself is fabulous, if it’s next to a “visual disturbance,” the value of your home could actually decrease.
Most homeowners have been messy adjacent
In the study, 65% of homeowners reported they’d lived next to an overgrown property at some point, and said they’d have been willing to spend an average of $180 to clean it up—10% said they’d have paid more than $400.
Why are messy yards such a big deal?
Fair or not, most people believe a yard is a direct reflection of the homeowner—but a bad vibe also falls on the neighbors. One house that’s not handling its business is an eyesore that could affect the property values of the whole neighborhood. The good news is, nobody’s asking for a perfectly manicured lawn. All it really has to be is “not bad.”
Keep up with your lawn weekly.
Maintenance is 90% of the battle. Cut your grass before it gets too long. Even if your lawn is mostly weeds, a fresh cut hides a multitude of sins. If you have a weed eater, edge your sidewalk to create clean lines.
Trim your shrubs quarterly.
Trim your shrubs once a quarter so they don’t overtake your yard. At the same time, pull weeds in your garden.
Shine it up every so often.
Little things really do make the difference. If you have a garden hose or pressure washer, spray down your sidewalk and front porch every now and then. Add fresh mulch once a year to keep things looking fresh.
Add some flair if you’re feeling it.
If you want to go the extra mile, add a potted plant to your front porch. Plant a few perennials in front of your home. You and your neighbors will both appreciate the results. And should you ever decide to sell, the efforts you make now will pay off with potential buyers.
