ARE "NOSEY NEIGHBORS" REALLY TRYING TO HELP?

ARE "NOSEY NEIGHBORS" REALLY TRYING TO HELP?

While showing houses this weekend, my client she absolutely loved the last house we saw and she was considering submitting an offer.  Upon exiting the house and locking up the keys in the lockbox, the "nosey neighbor" decides to do some exterior house cleaning.  As we were leaving, the "nosey neighbor" decides to give my client a little advice.

The neighbor told my client she should not buy the house and gave 100 reasons why. He also said the house is subject to flooding and there is a stream that runs under the property and it causes the basement to flood and the backyard to pool with water.  As a prospective homebuyer and a Realtor, this is the absolute WORSE news you can hear about the house you're thinking of buying.  The house my client was looking at was a new constructed home and the builder graded the house so it sits higher than the other homes near it.  

The "nosey neighbor" went on to say that that he had to have a second sump pump installed in his home because he had 6 feet of water in his basement.  Of course this news was very alarming and scary to my client.  The neighbor kept going on and on until we nicely said thank you and decided to do a second walk through of the house.

When we went back into the home, my client felt strange about the conversation.  She said, "I can't decide if the neighbor was racist and just doesn't want a black woman moving next door or if he is genuinely trying to help me!"  It's sad that racism is still prevalent in 2015, but unfortunately when you are a minority it is a thought that crosses your mind.  

In my experience when the "nosey neighbor" starts messing around in their yard while you're showing a house, it usually isn't followed by good news.  There have been times when the neighbors have been a lifesaver in providing history on a home especially when it is a foreclosure, but that is not always the case. 

In this situation, I suggested we contact the Listing Agent and Builder and find out if a French Drain had been installed and were they aware of the stream flowing under the home.  We asked what type of drainage system was installed and questions about the sump pump.  The builder offered to meet with my client and I to walk through the house to address any concerns...Hopefully the Builder will be able to satisfy any questions my client has, but if not we will be moving on to another house...  The "nosey neighbor" may get the results they were looking for after all...  To Be Continued...

Tabitha Richardson
Broker/REALTOR®

443.415.4215 cell  
443.320.9099 efax
410.363.1535 x101 office  
410.363.1536 fax

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