Opinion: neighbor's garage is unsightly - should I ask them to paint it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Maybe the paint contains lead and that is a danger to the community.

Only if you eat it.

And if the garage was built after 1974 (or thereabouts), it won't contain lead paint.

OP... are the paint flakes falling off the garage and landing on your side of the property? (Is the garage built right on the property line?) If it's offset a few feet off the property line, the likelihood of paint flakes landing on your property is less...

I'll give you that it is unsightly, but a health hazard??

[Anonymous]

Will house hunters be put off by my unsightly, obese neighbors?

[Anonymous]

Really if you're not willing to pay to have it painted for them, then butt out. Do some landscaping, or build a trellis/pergola and plant some fast growing vines or roses to hide it, if it bothers you that much. Lady Banks' Rose for example gets big fast, she smells nice, and is thornless

[Anonymous]

You can't ask them to paint it. If I were the neighbor, I'd find that completely and totally obnoxious. They might even decide that, because you were so rude as to ask them to do it, they now want to make it EVEN harder for you to sell your house. (just saying it's a possibility)

You can offer to have it painted for them, and pay for it. That would be acceptable. But, other than that, you have no other options.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PPs -- just ask if you can pay to have it painted, as part of your staging your house for sale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with PPs -- just ask if you can pay to have it painted, as part of your staging your house for sale.

I agree. If I were moving soon anyway, I wouldn't be too concerned about hurting their feelings or offending them. I agree--it's part of staging. You'd pay for it, of course. The higher you sell your house for, the better it is for their home value anyway--and maybe they don't even know how horrid it is.

If someone offered to foot the bill for improving my property, I could put my ego aside and see the bigger picture.

[Anonymous]

OP here: wow, so glad I posted! I don't offend easily so if a neighbor came to me and explained the same situation I think I would be more embarrassed then insulted.

But you all provided great advice that I didn’t expect. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

OMG...we just bought a $1 million house last October with a structure exactly like you are describing...peeling paint and all on the shed/garage out back. It didn't hurt the sale of the home which had the garage on the property as there were 5 other contracts for asking and over on this house. I guess it depends where you live. The 'shed/garage' conveyed 'as is'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG...we just bought a $1 million house last October with a structure exactly like you are describing...peeling paint and all on the shed/garage out back. It didn't hurt the sale of the home which had the garage on the property as there were 5 other contracts for asking and over on this house. I guess it depends where you live. The 'shed/garage' conveyed 'as is'.

okay..not my shed...ours isn't brick and there is no siding...and it backs up to the backyard neighbor's shed...i'm not your neighbor after all.

[Anonymous]

If you have an HOA then I'd call them. They would probably get a violation and have 30 days to fix it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't ask them to paint it. If I were the neighbor, I'd find that completely and totally obnoxious. They might even decide that, because you were so rude as to ask them to do it, they now want to make it EVEN harder for you to sell your house. (just saying it's a possibility)

You can offer to have it painted for them, and pay for it. That would be acceptable. But, other than that, you have no other options.

It is, indeed, presumptious, for you to ask them to paint their garrage. I would probaly laugh and if I chose to paint I might paint it purple with yellow polka dots. Maybe they don't like something on your property or, maybe, you've been a pain the entire time you have lived next to them.

[Anonymous]

If it is important to you, I would ask the neighbor if you can paint it. Don't camaflouge it like you are doing them a favor. It impacts you, not them. Just be straight - I am selling my house and it would really help to have the garage painted -so can I paint the backside? If the neighbor expresses an interest in getting the whole thing repainted, then discuss hiring someone and sharing the cost.

And I do feel for you. We have two garages and two sheds backed up to our property. And we are the only neighbors that spend anytime outdoors, so it's not like anyone notices the 10 feet weeds growing around the structures (it appears that their lawn services don't deal with big weeds - guess they think they are plants). I have daydreams of sneaking into their yard and weeding. How sad is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't ask them to paint it. If I were the neighbor, I'd find that completely and totally obnoxious. They might even decide that, because you were so rude as to ask them to do it, they now want to make it EVEN harder for you to sell your house. (just saying it's a possibility)

You can offer to have it painted for them, and pay for it. That would be acceptable. But, other than that, you have no other options.

It is, indeed, presumptious, for you to ask them to paint their garrage. I would probaly laugh and if I chose to paint I might paint it purple with yellow polka dots. Maybe they don't like something on your property or, maybe, you've been a pain the entire time you have lived next to them.

You yourself sound like a dreamboat neighbor, albeit one who can't spell. Vindictiveness and immaturity are two very, very attractive qualities for any neighbor.

In any case, purple with yellow polka dots sounds lovely, much better than a shed with peeling paint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is important to you, I would ask the neighbor if you can paint it. Don't camaflouge it like you are doing them a favor. It impacts you, not them. Just be straight - I am selling my house and it would really help to have the garage painted -so can I paint the backside? If the neighbor expresses an interest in getting the whole thing repainted, then discuss hiring someone and sharing the cost.

And I do feel for you. We have two garages and two sheds backed up to our property. And we are the only neighbors that spend anytime outdoors, so it's not like anyone notices the 10 feet weeds growing around the structures (it appears that their lawn services don't deal with big weeds - guess they think they are plants). I have daydreams of sneaking into their yard and weeding. How sad is that?

Roundup is your friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is important to you, I would ask the neighbor if you can paint it. Don't camaflouge it like you are doing them a favor. It impacts you, not them. Just be straight - I am selling my house and it would really help to have the garage painted -so can I paint the backside? If the neighbor expresses an interest in getting the whole thing repainted, then discuss hiring someone and sharing the cost.

And I do feel for you. We have two garages and two sheds backed up to our property. And we are the only neighbors that spend anytime outdoors, so it's not like anyone notices the 10 feet weeds growing around the structures (it appears that their lawn services don't deal with big weeds - guess they think they are plants). I have daydreams of sneaking into their yard and weeding. How sad is that?

Well I know you're not my neighbor (no sheds anywhere near our property) but I wish you were mine. I'd die of happiness if someone would get rid of the forest of weeds that are taking over areas of my yard. I just haven't been able to get out this year and do anything. I feel bad because our house is near a bike path.