Great house, questionable neighbor?

[Anonymous]

If you're really interested in the house, why not just go knock on the neighbors door and introduce yourself? Tell him you're thinking about buying in the neighborhood, but you wanted to ask a few questions about the neighborhood, et cetera. It's perfectly legal to do this. In fact, I wish I had asked neighbors questions before putting an offer on the house I currently own (I would have learned some things about easements that didn't come out until later in the process).

Then, after talking to him, you might be in a better position to judge. I have never had a conversation with my postman, and every time I see him, he's usually focused on getting his job done quickly or he's on his cell phone. I can't imagine that a postman really knows that much about some random guy.

You could also have your realtor ask the sellers directly about the neighbor or even ask indirect questions. For example, ask directly if there have every been any pest problems on the property. And then if you do put in an offer, make the deal contingent upon a thorough pest inspection not just on the house but on the entire property.

Basically, investigate. One of my closest friends has a messy yard and a house full of crap. But he keeps to himself and is a genuinely nice person. The worst neighbors, in my opinion, are the ones that are always complaining or getting into your business. And they usually have pristine yards and houses. I'd much rather have a neighbor with junk in his yard who minds his own business than a neighbor with a gorgeous yard who is always complaining about my property or, worse, calling the city if I'm late mowing the lawn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:just keep calling the cops and eventually some type of inspector will come out and make the guy leave if he is living in scwaller

Hooked on Phonics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're really interested in the house, why not just go knock on the neighbors door and introduce yourself? Tell him you're thinking about buying in the neighborhood, but you wanted to ask a few questions about the neighborhood, et cetera. It's perfectly legal to do this. In fact, I wish I had asked neighbors questions before putting an offer on the house I currently own (I would have learned some things about easements that didn't come out until later in the process).

Then, after talking to him, you might be in a better position to judge. I have never had a conversation with my postman, and every time I see him, he's usually focused on getting his job done quickly or he's on his cell phone. I can't imagine that a postman really knows that much about some random guy.

Eh, I actually WOULD put a lot of weight on what the postman says. I've seen my mail lady chatting with neighbors, I way and do a little small talk if I happen to be outside when she comes by, etc.
Maybe you have not really talked with your postman because you are busy working, or your postman just isn't social--but combine a more social postman with the busy body of the neighborhood--and there will be a LOT of gossip. Mail people tend to know things, too--because they are delivering the mail. If a certain household is having financial difficulty--the postman might be one of the first to know because of all the bills coming with red lettering, etc. If someone has legal trouble, the mail (certified letters, letters from courthouses, lawyers, etc.) will tell that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're really interested in the house, why not just go knock on the neighbors door and introduce yourself? Tell him you're thinking about buying in the neighborhood, but you wanted to ask a few questions about the neighborhood, et cetera. It's perfectly legal to do this. In fact, I wish I had asked neighbors questions before putting an offer on the house I currently own (I would have learned some things about easements that didn't come out until later in the process).

Then, after talking to him, you might be in a better position to judge. I have never had a conversation with my postman, and every time I see him, he's usually focused on getting his job done quickly or he's on his cell phone. I can't imagine that a postman really knows that much about some random guy.

Eh, I actually WOULD put a lot of weight on what the postman says. I've seen my mail lady chatting with neighbors, I way and do a little small talk if I happen to be outside when she comes by, etc.
Maybe you have not really talked with your postman because you are busy working, or your postman just isn't social--but combine a more social postman with the busy body of the neighborhood--and there will be a LOT of gossip. Mail people tend to know things, too--because they are delivering the mail. If a certain household is having financial difficulty--the postman might be one of the first to know because of all the bills coming with red lettering, etc. If someone has legal trouble, the mail (certified letters, letters from courthouses, lawyers, etc.) will tell that too.

Sorry, that should say wave, not way

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're really interested in the house, why not just go knock on the neighbors door and introduce yourself? Tell him you're thinking about buying in the neighborhood, but you wanted to ask a few questions about the neighborhood, et cetera. It's perfectly legal to do this. In fact, I wish I had asked neighbors questions before putting an offer on the house I currently own (I would have learned some things about easements that didn't come out until later in the process).

Then, after talking to him, you might be in a better position to judge. I have never had a conversation with my postman, and every time I see him, he's usually focused on getting his job done quickly or he's on his cell phone. I can't imagine that a postman really knows that much about some random guy.

Eh, I actually WOULD put a lot of weight on what the postman says. I've seen my mail lady chatting with neighbors, I way and do a little small talk if I happen to be outside when she comes by, etc.
Maybe you have not really talked with your postman because you are busy working, or your postman just isn't social--but combine a more social postman with the busy body of the neighborhood--and there will be a LOT of gossip. Mail people tend to know things, too--because they are delivering the mail. If a certain household is having financial difficulty--the postman might be one of the first to know because of all the bills coming with red lettering, etc. If someone has legal trouble, the mail (certified letters, letters from courthouses, lawyers, etc.) will tell that too.

If the mailman and the rest of the neighbors are that gossipy and discussing someone's personal mail and issues, that would make me not want to live in that neighborhood.

Again, I'd be less concerned about a recluse with a messy yard than about a bunch of people constantly nosing into my business.

[Anonymous]

can the mailman also tell you if he has a lot collection bills? Maybe you could make a case for him to sell the house at auction.

[Anonymous]

In Montgomery County if you can see that kind of hoarding from your yard, you can call housing code enforcement and they will fine the person until they clean it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd try to get a little more info than relying on the postman to suggest he's mentally ill. We live next door to a man who lives alone and his house and yard are a mess, mostly because he lives alone and has parkinsons so he's limited in what he can do (and I suspect cant really afford to hire a landscaper or whatever). He's a little lonely, so he is chatty when we encounter him in the driveway or walking his dog, but he's not only harmless but (other than the mess) a good neighbor - tells us when he's away, takes in our paper when we're away, warns us if something's afoot in the neighborhood, etc. Now, I dont love looking at his backyard every day, but it is separated by a fence so I just dont look.

Not to be snarky, but has anyone in the neighborhood offered to cut his grass...do a clean up for him...not on the regular...but every once in a blue moon...if you say he has Parkinson's...not like he is crazy you are afraid to engage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Not to be snarky, but has anyone in the neighborhood offered to cut his grass...do a clean up for him...not on the regular...but every once in a blue moon...if you say he has Parkinson's...not like he is crazy you are afraid to engage.

That was what I was going to say. If he is a nice neighbor why don't you help him clean his garden. That will be a nice gesture and you will enjoy the view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're really interested in the house, why not just go knock on the neighbors door and introduce yourself? Tell him you're thinking about buying in the neighborhood, but you wanted to ask a few questions about the neighborhood, et cetera. It's perfectly legal to do this. In fact, I wish I had asked neighbors questions before putting an offer on the house I currently own (I would have learned some things about easements that didn't come out until later in the process).

Then, after talking to him, you might be in a better position to judge. I have never had a conversation with my postman, and every time I see him, he's usually focused on getting his job done quickly or he's on his cell phone. I can't imagine that a postman really knows that much about some random guy.

Eh, I actually WOULD put a lot of weight on what the postman says. I've seen my mail lady chatting with neighbors, I way and do a little small talk if I happen to be outside when she comes by, etc.
Maybe you have not really talked with your postman because you are busy working, or your postman just isn't social--but combine a more social postman with the busy body of the neighborhood--and there will be a LOT of gossip. Mail people tend to know things, too--because they are delivering the mail. If a certain household is having financial difficulty--the postman might be one of the first to know because of all the bills coming with red lettering, etc. If someone has legal trouble, the mail (certified letters, letters from courthouses, lawyers, etc.) will tell that too.

If the mailman and the rest of the neighbors are that gossipy and discussing someone's personal mail and issues, that would make me not want to live in that neighborhood.

Again, I'd be less concerned about a recluse with a messy yard than about a bunch of people constantly nosing into my business.

Every neighborhood has a gossip. In our family, we call it "the Patrick" because in our last neighborhood, it was a man named Patrick that knew everything about everyone. We moved into our house here, and found out that "Brian" next door was the Patrick of our new neighborhood.

Patrick and Brian--both of them aren't "mean" gossips--it's just that they do know everyone, and everything about them. Shortly after we first moved in, we had an issue with a different set of neighbors. We had never had an issue with neighbors in our last home (lived there 8 years) and haven't had any in this neighborhood since (We've lived here almost 7 years now). Anyway, we ended up asking Brian about these neighbors, and he told me that those neighbors we had the issue with, also had an issue with the people who owned our home before us. He was able to tell us just about everything, and make us feel a bit better about our own situation with them--sounds like they didn't really get along with anyone.

[Anonymous]

We live next door to a house like you describe and there have been rats living in his ivy and under his porch. We've put out bait traps and it takes care of it, but I wouldn't have bought this house if I'd known what dealing with him would be like.

[Anonymous]

We went to and spoke with all the neighbors and the crazy house. Got awful feedback and never submit a bid.
Real shame, was a nice house for sale.
But rarely do you outstay the crazy neighbor, rarely. He'll even outlive you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Not to be snarky, but has anyone in the neighborhood offered to cut his grass...do a clean up for him...not on the regular...but every once in a blue moon...if you say he has Parkinson's...not like he is crazy you are afraid to engage.

That was what I was going to say. If he is a nice neighbor why don't you help him clean his garden. That will be a nice gesture and you will enjoy the view.

We help where we can - DH will shovel for him and we're happy to lend him our mower, which is nicer than his push job, but he's been here for 20 years. It would take a lot more than an occasional couple hours to do anything about the overgrown brush and ivy.

[Anonymous]

OP, my friend bought in a close in "desirable", knock down neighborhood where *no one" would expect to see what you mention. Its bad. It just so happens the ones who live like this probably bought their house on foreclosure (or inheritance) and can barely afford the taxes. Stay F-A-R away. They will try to make their troubles yours.

Neighbors like that are well aware they are one mortgage and/or tax payment away from living in an entirely different zip code. And thy will take it out on anyone.

Not to mention, PP has a point with vermin. Do you really have that kind of time to be calling public agencies on them every day until something is done about it? Because I guarantee you will be the one paying the higher taxes and it will be on your dollar, but still.....

Very likely this is not the classiest neighbor. Very likely they know how to play the "system" (you name which one, they know how). While the cops are well aware of these types of neighbors and their games, it might be more worth it to you to live around people more of your stature. Say, who don't think living in squalor is normal??!!

I would however say you have more on your side - as who wouldn't want to see the end of such neighbors.

As for the postman - *go with it*! He is a reliable source with absolutely NO horse in the game and no reason to defend anyone. Our last postman was a *wealth* of very accurate information - use it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP, my friend bought in a close in "desirable", knock down neighborhood where *no one" would expect to see what you mention. Its bad. It just so happens the ones who live like this probably bought their house on foreclosure (or inheritance) and can barely afford the taxes. Stay F-A-R away. They will try to make their troubles yours.

Neighbors like that are well aware they are one mortgage and/or tax payment away from living in an entirely different zip code. And thy will take it out on anyone.

Not to mention, PP has a point with vermin. Do you really have that kind of time to be calling public agencies on them every day until something is done about it? Because I guarantee you will be the one paying the higher taxes and it will be on your dollar, but still.....

Very likely this is not the classiest neighbor. Very likely they know how to play the "system" (you name which one, they know how). While the cops are well aware of these types of neighbors and their games, it might be more worth it to you to live around people more of your stature. Say, who don't think living in squalor is normal??!!

I would however say you have more on your side - as who wouldn't want to see the end of such neighbors.

As for the postman - *go with it*! He is a reliable source with absolutely NO horse in the game and no reason to defend anyone. Our last postman was a *wealth* of very accurate information - use it!

from OP's description, the issue is most likely mental ilness, not lack of "class" or coming from a "lower" social level (it may be surprising to you that the working class people living pay check to paycheck I know keep their places squeaky clean and throw the garbage in the trash can and not in their yard). that person is probably alone and does not have close family members who can step in and help, or simply keeps them away, like sometimes mentally ill people do. and this may be even more shocking to you, but mental ilness can strike well off people in wealthy areas.........