Sandy Carroll’s Blog

In response to the question about what to do when you have your house listed on a beautiful cul-de-sac and you have a neighbor who doesn’t keep up their yard.

There are 3 approaches:   The nice, warm, and fuzzy, time consuming one, the “blame it on the authorities” one and let others help approach.

The nice warm fuzzy one is when you approach them and spend warm fuzzy time telling them why you are moving, how much you enjoy the neighborhood, you know they must have some issues (word it nicer and put on your listening ears) and ask if it is okay if you or your gardeners mow and water and do a little maintenance work that isn’t permanent.   This would be at your expense.   With the right approach, you make a friend, find out what is happening, and make sure they are friendly if anyone comes to look at your house and they happen to run into the buyers and their agents.   Be prepared to listen, and listen twice, suggest, negotiate, and pay.   It is likely well worth it.   Likely they are aware of the situation and can’t physically or can’t financially do the work.

The alternative:   Call the city or governing body.   Most jurisdictions have nuisance laws for noise, stagnant water, lack of maintenance or any issue.   Call the landlord if there are tenants, and then also call the city, if the landlord doesn’t respond.   It may take nagging calls to the landlord and the governing authority.   If the house is already listed, let your agent know your progress so they can pass on the information to any prospective buyers.   If the tenant is being evicted or moving then you would want them to know so the buyer knows the problem is short-lived.   Be prepared for them to let anyone know what a difficult neighbor you are, that can intimidate offers if they think you are an impossible negotiator.   Neighbors you have antagonized will make it a point to be outside to talk to anyone coming to open houses or walk-throughs and it likely won’t be nice.

If all you have to do is mow their lawn, and sneak some water on it, then do it as long as you aren’t making any permanent changes.   Get “extra” flowers and plant for them.

A third alternative, rent a dumpster, send out a flyer, and have a cul-de-sac share the  clean-up date.   Neighbors help each other and get the job done.   Give  out hot dogs and make it a party so that particular neighbor doesn’t feel singled out.   Maybe you can even get your real estate agent to sponsor it.

http://homes.realtor.com/prop/1073850019

 Ever wonder why we are so particular about dates on contracts?   Things happen, for instance, this Los Angeles area landmark burned today, reportedly while in escrow, at an asking price of $17,000,000.   Again, reportedly, the new owners were going to demolish it or do major renovation to the property.   It will be interesting to see what happens.   It may work out and the disasterous fire may have only saved the new owner demolition costs.   Likely it won’t be that simple.

It is a difficult concept for some, the fact that when you sign on the dotted line for any real estate contract, that it is binding and could be costly to cancel the contract.

I equate it to relationships, dating, marriage, divorce, any of those emotional times in your life.   When you drop in open houses, not much different than chatting with a cute person in the vegatable aisle in the grocery store.   Maybe you exchange contact information, maybe not.   Eventually comes the time (more on the in between stages later) you enter into a contract of some kind.   For relationships it may be a lease, living together, a wedding engagement, or even marriage.   It may be as simple as adding that person to your cell phone service (Big Mistakeke!!).

It is as difficult, as emotional, as costly, and as damaging to get out of a real estate contract as a relationship.   It may be the best decision you ever made or the worst, but it is a serious decision.   Whether you “go to escrow” or just sign a listing agreement you are committed to that professional.   Yes, you can cancel, but same as getting an old boyfriend out of YOUR house, it isn’t easy and it could be costly, and you could end up on “Judge Judy,” airing all your dirty laundry and getting as tacky as suing for the cell phone bill.  

As in all relationships, you think it won’t happen to you, but guess what?   It can.  

Stories you won’t believe later.   Some rumors, some happened to me, some probably totally made up, but great stories.

http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=253&targetid=7

Follow this link for information to the Port of Long Beach 3rd Annual Green Fest/Open House.   Free food, activities, boat tours.  

Well this is a nice fresh start isn’t it?   My first blog entry.   Tomorrow is the first day in a brand new office.   First Team is moving to 3900 Kilroy Airport Way in Long Beach.   Years ago, I had an office there, in another life, right at the end of the runway, in one of the first buildings built there.   What a great complex!  

Held an open house on a listing both on Saturday and today.   There are buyers, but they are picky and looking for deals.   Had a good cross section, even a man who hasn’t ever bought before was looking to own instead of rent, just a guess he was about 45 years old.   This weekend there were a few more people than last weekend, but at a different location.  

Tomorrow’s update… maybe I’ll put a picture here, another first!

Welcome to Sandy Carroll’s Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in Long Beach.