Neighborhood problems and selling my house

**austin018** · 04-10-2012, 05:15 PM

We plan to put our house up for sale this early summer and have been preparing/fixing things to get it ready. However, lately there have been some noticeable changes to the neighborhood and immediate area (we are outside Charleston, SC).
Foremost, there were a bunch of foreclosures and short sales back in 2008-10 with several of those getting bought up by investors and rented out---formally there were few renters in the area.
Starting about 6 months ago I began to notice some changes---we have 4 houses around us now that leave dogs out often---it is common for them to bark incessantly, sometimes as early as 7am to later than 10 (the people are often not home and leave them out---its unpredictable exactly, but most days)---all of them are renters it turns out, newly moved in.
Most houses are kept in good repair, but I have seen a slide with some of them. The house next to mine took a bit "under the weather", but not an eyesore. I also have noticed the HOA covenants are essetially not enforced anymore unless it is a *blatant* violation--even then they are not nearly as quick to pounce on you as they were a few years ago.

Basically, I can see the neighborhood is not exactly going up...I am concerned of tying to sell the house given those factors, which are basically outside of my control. I do not want to sink too much money into repairs/improvements if it might not make a big difference. House is already in decent shape, just needs average painting/cleaning....Any suggestions?

**bigtoe** · 04-11-2012, 04:50 AM

I am not sure what your question is but as for selling your house, now is the time. Real estate prices are still going down so you will get more for your house today than you will next year, especially with the start of the decline in the neighborhood.

**Malok** · 04-13-2012, 11:20 AM

You need to speak to a real estate agent that is an expert on that area to get their thoughts/opinions. That being said, if the area is starting to nosedive, you should probably get out ASAP. Its not likely to improve anywhere in the near future.

**austin018** · 04-14-2012, 08:19 AM

Ok, thanks guys----I realized I omitted a portion of my original post! Basically, my question was with an HOA neighborhood/subdivision like in my case----how bad of a sign is it when enforcement quickly becomes considerably more lax than previously? The almost cession of enforcement coincided to when a number of homes were foreclosed and scooped up by landlords starting a few years ago.

I do intend to seeking out an agent in about 3 weeks once I finish up these final repairs and smaller improvements.

**CC Lifestyle Realty** · 04-16-2012, 11:36 AM

Get an agent and one that is smart in repairs before you actually perform any repairs. I am going to bet you are waisting some money on items that are not necessary nor will influence your ability to sell and the final sale price. Also get an agent that knows the values in your area. Here in Houston home prices are not going down, they rose last year by 1%.

**MAngo Condo** · 04-24-2012, 08:49 PM

Why don't you contact the owners of the rented homes to comlain about the dogs.
I agree that they will make it more difficult to sell your home.
I wouldn't want to buy a home surrounded by yapping dogs...

**Austin023** · 05-06-2012, 10:17 AM

That has proved futile. In fact, most I found are owned by entities (ie real estate companies, investment firms, etc.) that are not even in the area. Most of them were bought up, fixed up a bit and then rented out---was pretty sudden starting around 3 years ago. An entire cul-de-sac of 4 houses on the other end of my street is now owned by a single company, along with several others nearby. THAT is what got me all the more concerned.

**MAngo Condo** · 05-06-2012, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Austin023

That has proved futile. In fact, most I found are owned by entities (ie real estate companies, investment firms, etc.) that are not even in the area. Most of them were bought up, fixed up a bit and then rented out---was pretty sudden starting around 3 years ago. An entire cul-de-sac of 4 houses on the other end of my street is now owned by a single company, along with several others nearby. THAT is what got me all the more concerned.

In that case you know where this is going, downhill!
My advice would be to not sink any money into the property over and above making it look good and get out before you get some really bad neighbours that will have possible buyers running for the hills.
Are the neighbours amiable? Would they be willing to keep the dogs in a pen or better inside if you scheduled visits for a specific day in the week?