Showing posts with label neighborhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neighborhood. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
San Jose councilman reverses support of homeless housing project
A San Jose City Councilman has come up with the "genius" idea for a homeless camp in a neighborhood close on Senter Road near Tully. As you can imagine many residences complained and raised bloody hell with the city so the project is a no-go for the moment. But in my opinion this is a classic example of NIMBY. Part of the nimbyism is due to the fact that a homeless camp in the neighborhood will almost certainly bring down property values.
SAN JOSE -- After being hammered by a storm of public pressure including threats of a civil grand jury complaint, Councilman Tam Nguyen has reversed his support of a homeless housing project on Senter Road.
Nguyen, who in January supported rezoning the land for a transitional housing community, said Friday the project doesn't have enough safeguards and neighbors weren't engaged. Now, he wants the city to treat homeless housing like medical marijuana dispensaries -- keep them away from schools, churches and liquor stores. San Jose's pot ordinance limits collectives to 1 percent of the city, mostly industrial sites.
Coincidentally, Nguyen's district has the most medical cannabis shops.
The proposed development, called the Renascent Place, is a 162-unit complex for chronically homeless individuals. It would be built on county-owned land at 2500 Senter Road that's inside city limits. Santa Clara County teamed up with Charities Housing, a nonprofit housing developer, to propose the project.
A team of eight to 12 employees would provide supportive services on site and the facility would have 24-hour security, according to planning documents. The lease would be for 85 years. The city's Planning Commission in April unanimously approved the project permit, but a group of neighbors appealed. The City Council on Tuesday will consider whether to deny the appeal.
Nguyen thinks the city should uphold the appeal. But Mayor Sam Liccardo, Councilmen Charles "Chappie" Jones and Johnny Khamis support the project, while calling for a plan to increase community engagement. Nguyen criticized the project managers for a lack of outreach and not having a "safety plan" to protect residents. Though Nguyen's January memo supporting the land-use change cited on-site managers and 24/7 security as important safety tools, he now says that's not enough.
"The way they are doing it does not provide a safe environment for the homeless or the neighborhood," Nguyen said. "They did not consider other criteria like crime activity and dumping." City housing officials counter by saying having "more eyes on the street" will actually deter crime and improve safety in the neighborhood.
"We know that activation of sites and providing more eyes can make the neighborhood safer," said Ray Bramson, San Jose's homeless response manager. "The potential of the project is not only benefitting the residents that are living there but improving the entire area."
Nguyen said public pressure didn't factor into his decision to oppose the project, but emails show a group of residents threatening to file a civil grand jury complaint against the councilman unless he met with them.
The threat came from Delbert Ng, a retired electrical engineer who lives on Albany Circle, not far from the project's property line.
"The main concern is the size of the project and high concentration of the most problematic chronic homeless," Ng said. "These are severely mentally ill and drug and alcohol addicted individuals. And it's not a lockdown facility, so they can come out into the community."
Patricia Ramos-Anderson, who doesn't live near the site but said her parents own property there, said the community wasn't informed about the new development. But city records show there were at least five community meetings with more than 100 attendees.
Homeless advocate Jennifer Loving, who directs the nonprofit Destination: Home, says building more homeless housing is the only solution to end homelessness.
"People are speaking out against things that haven't even happened yet," Loving said. "We need to do projects if we want to end homelessness. The council asks for solutions and we deliver responses to end homelessness and people don't like them. But the projects that are being proposed are good, solid projects."
Nguyen, who just returned from a trip to Portland where he slept in an outdoor tent city, says that experience taught him the importance of keeping homeless housing projects away from neighbors.
"The neighbors want to protect the value of their property -- that's natural," Nguyen said.
But Bramson said the focus should be to transition people back into the community. Affordable housing needs to be near transit and services to be successful, he added.
"Residents are less likely to have vehicles and need to be in places to access what they need for everyday life -- things like shopping for groceries or getting to a pharmacy," he said.
If the housing project is approved Tuesday, city leaders will also ask to apply for a $14 million grant under the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program to improve transit, trails and other infrastructure.
Source: Mercury News, Ramona Giwargis
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_30007401/san-jose-councilman-opposes-homeless-housing-project-ahead
SAN JOSE -- After being hammered by a storm of public pressure including threats of a civil grand jury complaint, Councilman Tam Nguyen has reversed his support of a homeless housing project on Senter Road.
Nguyen, who in January supported rezoning the land for a transitional housing community, said Friday the project doesn't have enough safeguards and neighbors weren't engaged. Now, he wants the city to treat homeless housing like medical marijuana dispensaries -- keep them away from schools, churches and liquor stores. San Jose's pot ordinance limits collectives to 1 percent of the city, mostly industrial sites.
Coincidentally, Nguyen's district has the most medical cannabis shops.
The proposed development, called the Renascent Place, is a 162-unit complex for chronically homeless individuals. It would be built on county-owned land at 2500 Senter Road that's inside city limits. Santa Clara County teamed up with Charities Housing, a nonprofit housing developer, to propose the project.
A team of eight to 12 employees would provide supportive services on site and the facility would have 24-hour security, according to planning documents. The lease would be for 85 years. The city's Planning Commission in April unanimously approved the project permit, but a group of neighbors appealed. The City Council on Tuesday will consider whether to deny the appeal.
Nguyen thinks the city should uphold the appeal. But Mayor Sam Liccardo, Councilmen Charles "Chappie" Jones and Johnny Khamis support the project, while calling for a plan to increase community engagement. Nguyen criticized the project managers for a lack of outreach and not having a "safety plan" to protect residents. Though Nguyen's January memo supporting the land-use change cited on-site managers and 24/7 security as important safety tools, he now says that's not enough.
"The way they are doing it does not provide a safe environment for the homeless or the neighborhood," Nguyen said. "They did not consider other criteria like crime activity and dumping." City housing officials counter by saying having "more eyes on the street" will actually deter crime and improve safety in the neighborhood.
"We know that activation of sites and providing more eyes can make the neighborhood safer," said Ray Bramson, San Jose's homeless response manager. "The potential of the project is not only benefitting the residents that are living there but improving the entire area."
Nguyen said public pressure didn't factor into his decision to oppose the project, but emails show a group of residents threatening to file a civil grand jury complaint against the councilman unless he met with them.
The threat came from Delbert Ng, a retired electrical engineer who lives on Albany Circle, not far from the project's property line.
"The main concern is the size of the project and high concentration of the most problematic chronic homeless," Ng said. "These are severely mentally ill and drug and alcohol addicted individuals. And it's not a lockdown facility, so they can come out into the community."
Patricia Ramos-Anderson, who doesn't live near the site but said her parents own property there, said the community wasn't informed about the new development. But city records show there were at least five community meetings with more than 100 attendees.
Homeless advocate Jennifer Loving, who directs the nonprofit Destination: Home, says building more homeless housing is the only solution to end homelessness.
"People are speaking out against things that haven't even happened yet," Loving said. "We need to do projects if we want to end homelessness. The council asks for solutions and we deliver responses to end homelessness and people don't like them. But the projects that are being proposed are good, solid projects."
Nguyen, who just returned from a trip to Portland where he slept in an outdoor tent city, says that experience taught him the importance of keeping homeless housing projects away from neighbors.
"The neighbors want to protect the value of their property -- that's natural," Nguyen said.
But Bramson said the focus should be to transition people back into the community. Affordable housing needs to be near transit and services to be successful, he added.
"Residents are less likely to have vehicles and need to be in places to access what they need for everyday life -- things like shopping for groceries or getting to a pharmacy," he said.
If the housing project is approved Tuesday, city leaders will also ask to apply for a $14 million grant under the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program to improve transit, trails and other infrastructure.
Source: Mercury News, Ramona Giwargis
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_30007401/san-jose-councilman-opposes-homeless-housing-project-ahead
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Los Gatos residents complain about corporate buses
The controversy that's followed corporate buses from San Jose to San Francisco has arrived on Los Gatos' doorstep. Both Apple and Google operate buses that take town residents to work in Cupertino and Mountain View, but some of their neighbors are complaining.
One complainant is Michael Farr, who lives at Knowles Drive and Carpi Avenue, where Googlers are picked up in the morning and dropped off in the evening.
"They come and go just like a transit center," Farr said. "They're an accident waiting to happen. This is a residential street, not a parking lot."
Town manager Laurel Prevetti said the Googlers apparently started parking on Capri after being "kicked out of the Vasona Station shopping center"
because they were taking customer parking spaces.
Since Knowles and Capri are public streets, anyone can park there for up to 72 hours.
"We talked to Google in March to talk through some options," Prevetti said. "We have a lot of questions, we don't necessarily have a lot of answers. So, we need solutions. One solution is land: Is there land available so they can have a designated place to park?"
Mayor Barbara Spector is also working the issue, and parks and public works director Matt Morley is looking into a couple of parcels of land that could possibly be used for corporate parking.
Farr likes that idea. "They should buy a parking lot," he said.
He also thinks the buses should be regulated.
"If you want to have a shuttle, then you have to have a permit just like a taxi service," Farr said. "I find it really wrong to let big corporate buses use residential streets as a park and ride lot."
This isn't the first time residents have complained about the Google buses. In February 2012, Pam Kee told the Los Gatos Weekly-Times that the buses were endangering children walking to school on Shannon Road.
The buses no longer stop on Shannon.
Google and Apple both use the Office Depot parking lot at Lark Avenue and Los Gatos Boulevard, which is why Prevetti calls this a town-wide issue.
"We've received calls about the buses using residential streets from a few neighborhoods, so we have to look at this from a town-wide perspective," Prevetti said. "We don't want to push the problem around. Looking at the bigger picture, the buses do take cars off the road."
Even so, Prevetti said, it's a "sticky, quality of life issue" that the town council will likely discuss in June.
Source: San Jose Mercury News, Judy Peterson
http://www.mercurynews.com/real-estate-news/ci_29880745/los-gatos-residents-complain-about-corporate-buses
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
‘Help, a McMansion Is Going Up Next Door!’
I can think of one neighborhood right here in Cupertino, not far from my office that has a number of McMansions.
Janet Per Lee has lived in the same house in Mountain View, CA, for over 40 years. Built in the 1950s, her 1,000-square-foot ranch house is situated on a secluded quarter-acre with trees whose branches hang heavy with apricots, plums, pears, and figs, which she shares with her neighbors. Her three kids grew up playing in that yard, attending top-notch local schools. Although the kids are no longer living at home, Per Lee loves her community and, in a normal world, would never consider moving.
But this is no normal world. In fact, the Google headquarters is located less than a ten-minute drive away.
As this tech titan has grown exponentially, so has the neighborhood’s popularity. As houses in the area have gone up for sale, developers have bought them, bulldozed them, erected 4,000-square-foot mansions that are selling for over $3 million. In fact, eight years ago, it happened right next door to Per Lee, who learned the new house would fill the entire lot from front to back and tower over her own.
“It’s built so much higher than my house, virtually every window looks out into my backyard,” she says. Desperate to protect her privacy, she planted Italian cypress trees as a natural barrier. She tried to reason with the builder, whose unsympathetic response was: “Shouldn’t everyone be able to build their dream home?”
Big homes = big problem
What’s going on in Mountain View is an extreme version of a problem cropping up all over the country: Huge houses are being built on plots of land originally meant to accommodate smaller dwellings, sparking a heated debate over what’s best for the community. Some argue that owners of larger homes pay more taxes, which can benefit all. But if your home happens to have its air and light blocked by a behemoth next door, you would likely be very, very upset—and can most likely kiss the idea of cashing out on your home sale goodbye.
Those against the lenient building codes that allow for “mansionization” also argue that it negatively affects a community’s vibe.
“These houses are often akin to fortress walls on city streets,” contends Greg Goldin, curator at the A+D Architecture and Design Museum. “People in big houses tend to lead noncommunitarian, noncivic lives. These homes are the embodiment of their desire to turn their backs on the shared experience and common spaces of real city life. They are anti-city.”
That might sound extreme, but it’s exactly what Per Lee has experienced as her once-secluded pocket of Mountain View has evolved. Realtors® and developers advertise the vibrant community and shady tree-lined streets as a draw, but then chop down those trees to maximize building space on the lots—and once new owners move in she barely sees them out and about mingling with their neighbors.
Another factor: Homeowners believe they have the right to do as they please with their properties—especially when they’ve paid big money for their land.
“If people are paying millions for the dirt on which a teardown sits, they want to be able to make their own decisions regarding the housing,” explains Arthur Jeppe, a partner at Read & Jeppe in Newport Beach, CA.
Which is understandable, but shouldn’t they at least consider the impact on their immediate neighbors?
‘Neighborhoods need to evolve’
In Renton, WA, Robert Walker’s 1,000-square-foot bungalow came with a view of downtown Seattle’s skyline and Lake Washington. But in 2005, buyers purchased the home across the street from him and built a three-story, 4,000-square-foot house that blocked his whole view. Despite collecting signatures for a petition and arguing his case before Renton’s City Council, Walker got nowhere.
“The feeling definitely seemed to be that being a place that’s attractive to stable homeowners was more important than regulating what’s being built,” says Walker.
A similar drama is playing out in Arcadia, CA, where more than 30 homes larger than 5,000 square feet (some as large as 8,000–9,000) have been proposed in the 850-home community over the past six years. In response, a group of longtime residents formed Saving Arcadia, which is currently battling the municipal government and City Council. Its argument: Overly lenient rules for developers have led to the proliferation of McMansions on lots that were zoned back in the 1950s for smaller homes. Plus, these oversize dwellings overburden the city’s water, gas, electricity, and other utility services.
Yet not everyone is against mansionization. According to Benjamin Reznik, a Los Angeles–based lawyer who often represents large-scale developers, neighborhoods evolve—and need to be allowed to do so. So while he agrees that neighborhoods’ historic character needs to be preserved, he thinks NIMBYism (for “not in my back yard”)—where locals oppose almost all new, larger residences simply because they don’t want them nearby—is a mistake.
“City councils need to take a refined, surgical approach to proposed projects rather than just enacting zoning restrictions that don’t actually make sense for some of the plots of land being discussed,” Reznik contends. In fact he believes the most effective way forward when disputes arise is compromise that includes allowances such as reasonable increases in a residential structure’s height if it’s set back from the property line.
Another option is finding a creative solution. One example is building downward (if a property is set on a hill) in order to increase square footage while preserving neighboring views, which is increasingly happening in various areas near Newport Beach. So maybe there’s hope that we can all play nice after all?
‘The neighborhood I loved is gone’
For Per Lee, however, things have already gone too far. She’s recently decided to sell her home, even though she knows it will most likely be replaced by the very kind of McMansion she hates. The silver lining: She frequently receives unsolicited offers from builders who want to buy her property, and the prices keep going up.
Per Lee says she’ll miss the neighborhood where she’s lived for decades, and her fruit trees, but that she’s looking forward to relocating to a quieter area that’s more in line with her values. After all, she points out, “Bigger isn’t always better.”
Source: Realtor.com, Audrey Brashich
http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/mcmansion-next-door/
RELATED: McMansion Definition
Janet Per Lee has lived in the same house in Mountain View, CA, for over 40 years. Built in the 1950s, her 1,000-square-foot ranch house is situated on a secluded quarter-acre with trees whose branches hang heavy with apricots, plums, pears, and figs, which she shares with her neighbors. Her three kids grew up playing in that yard, attending top-notch local schools. Although the kids are no longer living at home, Per Lee loves her community and, in a normal world, would never consider moving.
But this is no normal world. In fact, the Google headquarters is located less than a ten-minute drive away.
As this tech titan has grown exponentially, so has the neighborhood’s popularity. As houses in the area have gone up for sale, developers have bought them, bulldozed them, erected 4,000-square-foot mansions that are selling for over $3 million. In fact, eight years ago, it happened right next door to Per Lee, who learned the new house would fill the entire lot from front to back and tower over her own.
“It’s built so much higher than my house, virtually every window looks out into my backyard,” she says. Desperate to protect her privacy, she planted Italian cypress trees as a natural barrier. She tried to reason with the builder, whose unsympathetic response was: “Shouldn’t everyone be able to build their dream home?”
Big homes = big problem
What’s going on in Mountain View is an extreme version of a problem cropping up all over the country: Huge houses are being built on plots of land originally meant to accommodate smaller dwellings, sparking a heated debate over what’s best for the community. Some argue that owners of larger homes pay more taxes, which can benefit all. But if your home happens to have its air and light blocked by a behemoth next door, you would likely be very, very upset—and can most likely kiss the idea of cashing out on your home sale goodbye.
Those against the lenient building codes that allow for “mansionization” also argue that it negatively affects a community’s vibe.
“These houses are often akin to fortress walls on city streets,” contends Greg Goldin, curator at the A+D Architecture and Design Museum. “People in big houses tend to lead noncommunitarian, noncivic lives. These homes are the embodiment of their desire to turn their backs on the shared experience and common spaces of real city life. They are anti-city.”
That might sound extreme, but it’s exactly what Per Lee has experienced as her once-secluded pocket of Mountain View has evolved. Realtors® and developers advertise the vibrant community and shady tree-lined streets as a draw, but then chop down those trees to maximize building space on the lots—and once new owners move in she barely sees them out and about mingling with their neighbors.
Another factor: Homeowners believe they have the right to do as they please with their properties—especially when they’ve paid big money for their land.
“If people are paying millions for the dirt on which a teardown sits, they want to be able to make their own decisions regarding the housing,” explains Arthur Jeppe, a partner at Read & Jeppe in Newport Beach, CA.
Which is understandable, but shouldn’t they at least consider the impact on their immediate neighbors?
‘Neighborhoods need to evolve’
In Renton, WA, Robert Walker’s 1,000-square-foot bungalow came with a view of downtown Seattle’s skyline and Lake Washington. But in 2005, buyers purchased the home across the street from him and built a three-story, 4,000-square-foot house that blocked his whole view. Despite collecting signatures for a petition and arguing his case before Renton’s City Council, Walker got nowhere.
“The feeling definitely seemed to be that being a place that’s attractive to stable homeowners was more important than regulating what’s being built,” says Walker.
A similar drama is playing out in Arcadia, CA, where more than 30 homes larger than 5,000 square feet (some as large as 8,000–9,000) have been proposed in the 850-home community over the past six years. In response, a group of longtime residents formed Saving Arcadia, which is currently battling the municipal government and City Council. Its argument: Overly lenient rules for developers have led to the proliferation of McMansions on lots that were zoned back in the 1950s for smaller homes. Plus, these oversize dwellings overburden the city’s water, gas, electricity, and other utility services.
Yet not everyone is against mansionization. According to Benjamin Reznik, a Los Angeles–based lawyer who often represents large-scale developers, neighborhoods evolve—and need to be allowed to do so. So while he agrees that neighborhoods’ historic character needs to be preserved, he thinks NIMBYism (for “not in my back yard”)—where locals oppose almost all new, larger residences simply because they don’t want them nearby—is a mistake.
“City councils need to take a refined, surgical approach to proposed projects rather than just enacting zoning restrictions that don’t actually make sense for some of the plots of land being discussed,” Reznik contends. In fact he believes the most effective way forward when disputes arise is compromise that includes allowances such as reasonable increases in a residential structure’s height if it’s set back from the property line.
Another option is finding a creative solution. One example is building downward (if a property is set on a hill) in order to increase square footage while preserving neighboring views, which is increasingly happening in various areas near Newport Beach. So maybe there’s hope that we can all play nice after all?
‘The neighborhood I loved is gone’
For Per Lee, however, things have already gone too far. She’s recently decided to sell her home, even though she knows it will most likely be replaced by the very kind of McMansion she hates. The silver lining: She frequently receives unsolicited offers from builders who want to buy her property, and the prices keep going up.
Per Lee says she’ll miss the neighborhood where she’s lived for decades, and her fruit trees, but that she’s looking forward to relocating to a quieter area that’s more in line with her values. After all, she points out, “Bigger isn’t always better.”
Source: Realtor.com, Audrey Brashich
http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/mcmansion-next-door/
RELATED: McMansion Definition
Friday, February 12, 2016
The Nightmare Next Door: What To Do When Your Neighbor Is a Nuisance
The animals that live in the house across the street bark incessantly. The people two doors down play their music so loud you now know all the lyrics to every Kendrick Lamar song ever written. And something, presumably a dog (you hope) keeps leaving presents on your lawn. Annoyances like these can make it unpleasant to live in your neighborhood. And, they can quickly escalate, becoming dangerous or even in need of legal intervention.So how do you know how to handle a nuisance neighbor, and what should you do when the situation gets out of control? Knowing who you're dealing with is step one.
Annoying but (probably) not dangerous
The situation: Your neighbor is a busybody, always in everyone's business and clearly enjoys spreading it around. The animosity she creates is making it hard to enjoy social outings in the neighborhood.
The strategy: Have a talk with her. Perhaps the simple act of honest discourse is enough to get her to curtail her behavior. After all, no one wants a "Desperate Housewives" scenario.
Multiple people may need to be in on this act to get the point across that her behavior won't be tolerated. As a worst case scenario, disinviting her from social events may be necessary. Uncomfortable, but necessary.
Could go off the rails if provoked
The situation: Your neighbor complains about EVERYTHING. The way your kids' friends park on the street in front of your house. Your dog that barks exactly one time a day, for a 30-second period, when the mail is delivered. Even the way your trash can faces on trash pickup day.
And it's not just you. He's been terrorizing the neighborhood since the day he moved in, and everyone's too scared to confront him.
The solution: Kill him with kindness - but only if it seems safe. Could be the neighbor is a lonely man who doesn't know how to reach out and is channeling his sadness/lack of social interaction in a negative manner. Taking over some cookies, bringing in his newspaper, or offering to water his flowers might be the icebreaker you need to start breaking down those walls.
But, being able to judge a situation is key to knowing how to handle it. If you're not sure if your neighbor is just sad and lonely or if he's going to turn into a psychopath and burn your bunny, you probably want to keep your distance.
You should definitely watch your back
The situation: There has been a rash of vandalism in the neighborhood, with cars being keyed and landscaping being ruined. Or perhaps you've experienced hostile behavior from a neighbor yelling profanity at you or your kids.
The solution: There are some situations that can't be resolved any other way but getting the police involved. If you feel unsafe or if anybody is being threatened, don't be afraid to get the police involved. It could be that the scare is enough to alleviate the situation.
Involving the police could also be necessary if a neighbor is breaking the law.
"When only one person or a small number of people are disturbed by a nuisance, it is a private nuisance," said the Chicago Tribune. "Examples include a noisy neighbor, a barking dog, a trash-filled vacant lot and trespassers attracted to a vacant building. If a state or federal law or a local ordinance is being violated, the police or other officials should be notified to abate the nuisance."
Sometimes, a neighbor's antics affect more than your daily enjoyment of your home. If money or land are involved, things can get beyond testy. If keeping things calm and out of the hands of professionals isn't working, it may be time to take legal action.
"Consider having the property surveyed, which should resolve any questions about property lines. (And a survey could nip the problem in the bud, since the person who wants something to happen usually pays, said Emily Doskow, an attorney in Berkeley, California, and the editor of Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries & Noise on CNN. "The cost can vary anywhere from $300 to $1,500, depending on where you live and how complicated the survey is."
Be aware that there are several defenses that could derail your plight (knowing about the private nuisance when you moved to the neighborhood or tolerating it over a period of time are a few of them). Your attorney should be able to advise you of whether or not you have a legitimate case.
Source: RealtyTimes, Jaymi Naciri
http://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice1/item/42105-20160204-the-nightmare-next-door-what-to-do-when-your-neighbor-is-a-nuisance
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Vallejo man builds $1 million house, seeks to raise expectations, property values
Most of us know you shouldn't judge a book -- or a person or a city or neighborhood -- by its cover, and yet we all do it.Vallejo builder Andy Salon said he's trying to help change this city's image "one house at a time," by building a first-class home and selling it for nearly $1 million.
Salon said he designed and built the two-story home in Vallejo's Heritage District, sparing practically no expense with many European-inspired luxury features, hoping to bring up property values in the surrounding area. He's asking $949,000 for the house that cost him $739,000 to build.
"I'm very proud of this house," he said. "I hope it brings the highest price of any home in the area. That will raise the 'comps' here, and increase property values."
Upscale shouldn't be so unusual here, he said.
"When they find out I'm asking nearly $1 million, they say there's no way to get that much in Vallejo," he said. He hopes they're wrong.
Local Realtor, Toni Foster whose firm, Twin Oaks Realty is selling the house, said she's impressed by the workmanship.
"It sounds like he has great aspirations and inspiration. It's a phenomenal house. And I hope he gets his money and does exactly what he wants to do," said Foster, who is not the listing agent. "I wish everybody felt the same as him, and wanted to bring the city up. I'm excited by someone that feels our town warrants the kind of craftsmanship that he's doing."
When Salon bought the lot at 738 Georgia St., about 18 months ago, it was empty except for a slew of old cement sinks, after the house that stood on it for at least 100 years, burned down in 1999, he said.
Another home of similar size, though 100 years older than the one Salon just built, sold several months ago for about $650,000, he said.
The four bedroom and 4- 1/2 bath, 2,600-square foot house, with a 600 square-foot two-car garage, has two fireplaces, wood floors throughout the downstairs and three levels of redwood decking. That includes one on the roof, accessible by way of a wrought-iron spiral staircase.
All the appliances, including a flat-screen TV and a security camera system with two monitoring locations -- come with the house.
The kitchen is all chrome and glass and the closets all have cedar floors.
Sliding back gates, tankless water heaters, energy and water-saving fixtures and appliances, including a bathtub spout in the master bathroom that resembles a waterfall, are among the special features. There's a panoramic view of Mare Island and to the eastern hills from the upstairs deck, and most of the upstairs rooms.
"You can turn on your heater or your central air-conditioning remotely, so the house is warm or cool by the time you get home," he said. "It comes with the latest model washer and dryer in the laundry room, upstairs. There's a remote for the toilets that controls the temperature of the seats and the water for the bidet."
There's a small glass shelf above the toilet paper dispenser, where one can lay one's cell phone or wallet. Salon said he tried to think of everything.
He included something called a Mansard roof -- a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope, punctured by dormer windows, at a steeper angle than the upper. It comes from the French architect François Mansart (1598-1666).
"Back then, in France, they charged extra taxes for a second story, so he used this style and called the second story a roof and only had to pay for one floor," he said. "The story grabbed me."
Other, clever little features include crown moulding, fire sprinklers, built-in surround sound and special USB plugs in the outlets.
"Everybody asks why I put so much money into this house," he said. "Everybody loves it, but they ask why, and I tell them, I want to change Vallejo, one house at a time. When I brought my plan before the planning commission, a couple of people opposed it, because, they said, Vallejo is a working class town, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I want to give it a little bit of an upgrade. I may not see it in my lifetime, but if we get 15 or so million-dollar homes sold here, it will start to change it."
Perception can be the greater part of reality, he said.
"People will start to see Vallejo in a different way," he said. He also said the improved attitude at City Hall encouraged him to test these waters.
"I want to make money on this, I'm not going to lie. I'm not a charity," he said. "But I live here, and I want to make a difference. One man can change the world, for better or worse. I, of course, am going for better."
Like Foster, Shelley Tappin, president of the Solano Association of Realtors and a Broker-Associate with Tipp Realty at Glen Cove, said she loves what Salon is trying to do with the house.
"It is rare to find a new home in the Heritage District that combines old charm with modern amenities," she said. "This home certainly offers some very nice features that buyers won't come across every day. I applaud the efforts and vision that the owner is contributing to the growth and future of our great city."
Source: Mercury News, Rachel Raskin-Zrihen
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_29486969/vallejo-man-builds-1-million-house-seeks-raise
Monday, December 14, 2015
How to Home In on the Right Neighborhood for You
Location, location, location. As the real estate agents say, it’s the No. 1 attribute in real estate. But it’s not just true when it comes to assessing a home’s value—it’s also a key factor in determining your future happiness, according to Katherine Loflin, a consultant in the new field of “placemaking.”Loflin, who has a new book out this month—“Place Match: The City Doctor’s Guide to Finding Where You Belong”—talked to us about how to find your perfect community, and why that’s so important.
Q: Why is living in the right place so important?
You live in a home, but your life happens in a place. Both are important to us living our best lives. From 2008 to 2010, I was the lead consultant in research that examined what makes people love where they live. The Knight Soul of the Community project in partnership with Gallup studied 26 U.S. diverse communities, nearly 43,000 people. The findings were remarkable. In every place studied, the same things came up as critical for creating quality-of-life places: People want a place they find beautiful, with opportunities that they enjoy, in an environment that feels welcoming. And places where residents were happy with those qualities experienced higher local economic growth.
Q: You compare finding the right place to finding the right romantic partner. Why?
Through my speeches and a couple of TEDx talks, I’d been teaching the science behind what makes people love where they live. Yet at the same time, personally I was losing my love for my own place and in the beginning stages of a difficult marital divorce. I had never felt more like a hypocrite!
During one speech I was making in 2012, I went rogue and made an unplanned comparison that mirrored my own life at the time about how certain places may not be a perfect match for everybody—a lot like marriage. To say it was a “aha moment” is an understatement. Simultaneously, I noticed a dawning awareness in the crowd. When I talk about dating your place, committing to it, or leaving it in a relationship context, the concepts just make sense to people and give them a framework for making decisions about where to live.
Q: What advice do you have for people who want to find the right place?
First, create a wish list for the place you want. What kind of place are you seeking, given where you are in your life—kid-friendly, retiree destination, walkable, cultural offerings, quintessential experiences that you crave? Just as we know the kind of person we are seeking as a partner, we should know the kind of place where we would thrive.
Next, spend some time there—date your place. And just like you should probably see your potential life partner with the flu before you marry, you have to learn about the challenges of the place. What are the issues the place is facing? Do you love it enough to want to help, or at least accept it, warts and all?
Q: What are the most common mistakes when choosing where to live?
Don’t move there based solely on vacation experience(s) there. Have you ever heard someone say, “It’s a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there”? That’s a real thing. Second, don’t make the mistake of thinking this is about “good” and “bad” places. Just like when you’re dating, it’s about your compatibility. While all people like places that are welcoming, different places do this different ways. In some places, welcoming means people hug you when they meet you. Some people love that, others not so much.
Q: How has this understanding of place affected the buying and selling of real estate?
One real estate journalist told me, “Today, houses are everywhere. We have to now also sell places. That’s what people are asking about more than the number of bedrooms.” Even when local economies failed at the end of the last decade, people who loved where they lived talked about taking solace in their place. As people felt disillusioned over the loss of a job that they had dedicated much of their life to, their values shifted. “I will no longer live to work, but work to live” was a common refrain I heard during that time.
Q: What are the most surprising stories you’ve heard about someone’s search for the right place?
The stories that always drop jaws are ones where I talk about people just “showing up” in a city or town they want to live in and figuring out the job and place to live once they get there. It is definitely a different strategy than what guided our parents, when absolutely everything 100% was dictated by the job.
Q: How can people who love their place change it?
There are always stories of a place going from unknown or declining to a thriving destination—like the upstart chef who couldn’t afford to open his own restaurant except in a small town. Then he took advantage of its rural location to help local farmers by creating a farm-to-table component of the restaurant, which further helped it succeed. And in a few short years, the place is transformed.
Source: Realtor.com, Judy Dutton
http://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/right-neighborhood-for-you/?iid=rdc_news_hp_carousel_theLatest
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Home Buyers: Don’t Wait Forever for ‘The One’
I've had more than a few buyer clients who were too picky and had too unrealistic expectations for their own good. As a Realtor, I look at properties all the time and each one has its share of pluses and minuses. I always tell my clients that they are never going to get 100% of what you want for the property you are looking for.
For example, a first time home buyer client of mine found a property in the good school district neighborhood she wanted, within her price range, enough square footage, the number of beds and baths, updated kitchen, etc., etc., BUT this particular home didn't have hardwood floors. I had to remind my buyer that given the number of properties we both spent valuable time looking at, we both knew there wasn't anything out there that came this close to what she was looking for. Even though she was aware of this fact, she came VERY close to passing on the property. So I had to remind her that hard wood floors are a relatively easy fix for a few thousand dollars that she can always add later, but if she passed on this property, she'll never come this close again with a home in her price range, especially seeing how the market was appreciating in value and would quickly be out of her budget.
When you’re dating, you can spend years searching for the perfect relationship only to—possibly—wait too long and miss out on something great. Suddenly, over your sad microwave meal and bottle of cheap red, you’re looking back on your life choices, wondering what could have been if you hadn’t been so darned picky.
Well, the same goes for house hunting. You can drive yourself crazy searching for your dream home. You’ve found houses that have come close, after all. So the perfect one is bound to appear soon, right?
Not necessarily. We know the hunt can be emotionally draining, but at some point you have to go from house hunter to home owner.
We’re not encouraging you to make a choice that will fill you with buyer’s remorse. But to borrow a line from the Rolling Stones: You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes … you get what you need.
We can’t give you love advice (and trust us, you would not want us to), but we do happen to know a few things about real estate. Here are three questions to ask yourself; the answers will help you determine whether it’s time to settle on a home that might not be what your dreams are made of.
1. Are my expectations realistic?
Everyone has a dream home. Mine is a Craftsman with Victorian high ceilings, art deco details, and a Mid-Century Modern feel. But here’s the thing. That Frankenstein of architectural styles doesn’t exist—and your dream home probably doesn’t either.
“There is no such thing as a ‘perfect home,’” says Ryan Fitzgerald, Realtor® and owner of Raleigh Realty in Raleigh, NC.
There’s always going to be something not so lovable in each house you view. The key to finding the right home is setting realistic expectations.
“You can find a home that meets almost all of what you are looking for,” Fitzgerald says.
Make a list of your dream features and amenities before you start house hunting—but be willing to let some of those features go once you start looking at properties. It helps to score each feature on a scale of 1 to 10—that way you (and your partner, if you have one) are on the same page about which amenities are deal breakers and which are simply nice to have.
2. How many properties have I viewed?
Once you’re house hunting, it can be nearly impossible to decide when you’ve looked at enough houses. After all, the perfect house could be listed any day now.
Go ahead and view online listings as much as you want. There’s no harm in real estate stalking in your spare time, but you should set a limit for actual viewings.
“If you go view more than eight homes [without finding anything], there’s a good chance you’re confused as to what you’re actually looking for,” Fitzgerald says. “You’re trying to piece together a home that doesn’t exist.”
If you find that you’re searching for your own Frankenstein (it won’t work, I promise), take a moment and ask yourself how many homes you’ve visited. Have you reached the (self-imposed) cap? If so, make a list of each property’s strengths and weakness, and then get ready to compromise.
3. What am I willing to compromise?
If you’ve set realistic expectations and looked at more than a few houses, it’s time to start making some tough decisions. It might feel like settling, but you’ll probably thank us later when you’re finally a homeowner.
Just make sure you’re not compromising on something you’ll regret later.
“If you’re going to compromise, do not compromise on location,” Fitzgerald says.
The real estate adage “location, location, location” bears repeating here. After all, a great house won’t matter much if you’re driving two hours to work every day or the only nearby grocery store closes at 7 p.m.
If you’re not sure where to compromise, ask your Realtor. That’s what they’re there for.
The exception to the rule
After months of searching (especially in competitive markets), you might feel the pressure to choose something—anything—just to achieve homeownership and stop throwing away your money on rent.
We’re going to contradict ourselves a bit here and tell you this: Sometimes it’s OK to keep looking. When you’re deciding on a home, you should always consider the current market, even if it means you’ll be shopping for a little while longer.
“If you are having trouble finding a home and you have proper expectations, don’t settle—especially if you’re in a hot market,” Fitzgerald says.
If you’re in a sellers’ market, homes can go quickly and you might just be missing the window of opportunity. It might make sense to wait a little longer than rush to try to beat out an overzealous buyer.
After all, competition can breed short-lived desire—and you don’t want to be stuck with a dud after the admirers have moved on to the next attraction.
Source: Realtor.com, Angela Colley
http://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/when-should-you-settle/
For example, a first time home buyer client of mine found a property in the good school district neighborhood she wanted, within her price range, enough square footage, the number of beds and baths, updated kitchen, etc., etc., BUT this particular home didn't have hardwood floors. I had to remind my buyer that given the number of properties we both spent valuable time looking at, we both knew there wasn't anything out there that came this close to what she was looking for. Even though she was aware of this fact, she came VERY close to passing on the property. So I had to remind her that hard wood floors are a relatively easy fix for a few thousand dollars that she can always add later, but if she passed on this property, she'll never come this close again with a home in her price range, especially seeing how the market was appreciating in value and would quickly be out of her budget.
When you’re dating, you can spend years searching for the perfect relationship only to—possibly—wait too long and miss out on something great. Suddenly, over your sad microwave meal and bottle of cheap red, you’re looking back on your life choices, wondering what could have been if you hadn’t been so darned picky.
Well, the same goes for house hunting. You can drive yourself crazy searching for your dream home. You’ve found houses that have come close, after all. So the perfect one is bound to appear soon, right?
Not necessarily. We know the hunt can be emotionally draining, but at some point you have to go from house hunter to home owner.
We’re not encouraging you to make a choice that will fill you with buyer’s remorse. But to borrow a line from the Rolling Stones: You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes … you get what you need.
We can’t give you love advice (and trust us, you would not want us to), but we do happen to know a few things about real estate. Here are three questions to ask yourself; the answers will help you determine whether it’s time to settle on a home that might not be what your dreams are made of.
1. Are my expectations realistic?
Everyone has a dream home. Mine is a Craftsman with Victorian high ceilings, art deco details, and a Mid-Century Modern feel. But here’s the thing. That Frankenstein of architectural styles doesn’t exist—and your dream home probably doesn’t either.
“There is no such thing as a ‘perfect home,’” says Ryan Fitzgerald, Realtor® and owner of Raleigh Realty in Raleigh, NC.
There’s always going to be something not so lovable in each house you view. The key to finding the right home is setting realistic expectations.
“You can find a home that meets almost all of what you are looking for,” Fitzgerald says.
Make a list of your dream features and amenities before you start house hunting—but be willing to let some of those features go once you start looking at properties. It helps to score each feature on a scale of 1 to 10—that way you (and your partner, if you have one) are on the same page about which amenities are deal breakers and which are simply nice to have.
2. How many properties have I viewed?
Once you’re house hunting, it can be nearly impossible to decide when you’ve looked at enough houses. After all, the perfect house could be listed any day now.
Go ahead and view online listings as much as you want. There’s no harm in real estate stalking in your spare time, but you should set a limit for actual viewings.
“If you go view more than eight homes [without finding anything], there’s a good chance you’re confused as to what you’re actually looking for,” Fitzgerald says. “You’re trying to piece together a home that doesn’t exist.”
If you find that you’re searching for your own Frankenstein (it won’t work, I promise), take a moment and ask yourself how many homes you’ve visited. Have you reached the (self-imposed) cap? If so, make a list of each property’s strengths and weakness, and then get ready to compromise.
3. What am I willing to compromise?
If you’ve set realistic expectations and looked at more than a few houses, it’s time to start making some tough decisions. It might feel like settling, but you’ll probably thank us later when you’re finally a homeowner.
Just make sure you’re not compromising on something you’ll regret later.
“If you’re going to compromise, do not compromise on location,” Fitzgerald says.
The real estate adage “location, location, location” bears repeating here. After all, a great house won’t matter much if you’re driving two hours to work every day or the only nearby grocery store closes at 7 p.m.
If you’re not sure where to compromise, ask your Realtor. That’s what they’re there for.
The exception to the rule
After months of searching (especially in competitive markets), you might feel the pressure to choose something—anything—just to achieve homeownership and stop throwing away your money on rent.
We’re going to contradict ourselves a bit here and tell you this: Sometimes it’s OK to keep looking. When you’re deciding on a home, you should always consider the current market, even if it means you’ll be shopping for a little while longer.
“If you are having trouble finding a home and you have proper expectations, don’t settle—especially if you’re in a hot market,” Fitzgerald says.
If you’re in a sellers’ market, homes can go quickly and you might just be missing the window of opportunity. It might make sense to wait a little longer than rush to try to beat out an overzealous buyer.
After all, competition can breed short-lived desire—and you don’t want to be stuck with a dud after the admirers have moved on to the next attraction.
Source: Realtor.com, Angela Colley
http://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/when-should-you-settle/
Friday, May 1, 2015
How to sell your home despite having lousy neighbors
I've sold homes in great neighborhoods here in the Silicon Valley, and I've sold homes in some no so great neighborhoods here in the valley. In my opinion it really boils down to great marketing and promotion by the Realtor, condition of the property and price.
How to Sell Your Home Despite Having Lousy Neighbors
A shaken Rebecca Rand said the bulldozer ripped right through her kitchen. Another neighbor, Mary Davis, upon receipt of a frantic call from her husband, ran from her home just before the colossal machine demolished it.
While good fences are said to make good neighbors, it was a fence that set Barry Swegle off. This particular fence was erected by a neighbor, lining the driveway Swegle used to get to his property. It was a long-standing dispute and Swegle finally snapped. He used a logging bulldozer to damage or destroy several outbuildings, a truck, a boat, a power pole and four homes in the neighborhood (including those of the two women above).
Thankfully, Swegle is an extreme case and not all neighbors are this nutty – but many can be annoying. Disputes are common, and it's how you handle them that will determine their outcome – and potentially, the value of your home.
What if your neighbor's habits and lifestyle jeopardize the sale of your home – or at the least, affect your ability to get full market value for it? Attempting to reach a resolution with a problem neighbor will require diplomacy and patience.
WHEN TO DISCLOSE A DISPUTE WITH A NEIGHBOR
Home sellers have an obligation to disclose to the buyer any adverse conditions that may materially affect the home's value. Naturally, sellers are hesitant to meet this obligation out of fear they'll drive away the buyer. Failure to disclose, however, may result in a trip to court and huge amounts of money out of your pocket.
If a neighbor creates a nuisance, you are most likely required to disclose that. Your real estate agent is the expert on disclosure regulations in your area, so don't hesitate to ask questions.
If you still feel that a problem with a neighbor doesn't require disclosure, take heed of a 1998 California court case in which the seller failed to disclose ongoing disputes with a neighbor. Sometimes the arguments became so heated that the seller was forced to call the police.
After the buyer moved into the home he, too, experienced problems with the neighbor. He eventually learned about the seller's undisclosed disputes and sued the seller. The buyer prevailed in court, winning a rescission of the sale, court costs, attorney's fees and damages.
There's an old real estate adage that all sellers should follow: "If in doubt, disclose."
NOISE COMPLAINTS
The most common dispute among neighbors is about noise, according to FindLaw.com. Barking dogs, domestic disturbances, loud music and noises associated with motor vehicles are among the complaints most often reported to police.
So, just how much does a noisy neighbor affect your home's value? "I've seen many situations where external factors, such as living near a bad neighbor, can lower home values by more than 5 to 10 percent," Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges told Business Insider. For a home that should sell for $200,000, for instance, a bad neighbor might cost the seller $10,000 to $20,000.
HOW TO DEAL WITH A NOISY NEIGHBOR
The folks at Nolo suggest talking to the errant neighbor to try to come up with a solution. They recommend that you approach as if he or she has no idea there's a problem. Be calm and friendly.
If this doesn't work, visit the neighbor again to remind him about the problem, and say that you hope the two of you can solve it without involving the police.
If you think the confrontation may become heated, send the warning in writing – again being polite and friendly. Enclose a copy of the local noise ordinance that addresses noise problems.
Unfortunately, short of calling the police or suing the neighbor in a court of law, this is probably the most you can do to get a loud neighbor to cease and desist.
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND, THIS LAND IS MY LAND
Another common dispute between neighbors occurs over property boundaries. Perhaps your neighbor plants a tree or installs a fence, and it just so happens to be on your property.
A dispute over property lines must be dealt with quickly, so that it doesn't cloud your home's title. Dealing with this problem is similar to dealing with noisy neighbors. First, however, do your homework.
"Find your settlement papers and search for a drawing that indicates your property line. You can find this information on the plat, a representation of the property survey, which you should have received at settlement," suggests Ann Cochran, writing for the National Association of Realtors®.
You'll need this as proof of encroachment when you speak with your neighbor. If you can't find it, Cochran suggests that you check your state or county government's website for the information. If all else fails, you'll need to order a survey of the property.
Armed with the proof, visit your neighbor and calmly explain the problem. Hopefully, this will bring about a resolution. If it doesn't, your next step is to write the neighbor a letter, once again documenting the encroachment, and again, asking that he remedy the problem. If you still see no relief in sight, consider mediation, and finally, if all else fails, a lawsuit.
So when it's time to sell, unless the noisy neighbor shuts up or the encroacher moves his stuff back to his side of the property line, you'll need to disclose the problem to any buyer that submits an offer on your home.
Source: RealtyTimes, Hellen Kelbaugh
http://helenesellshomes.realtytimes.com/advicefromagents1/item/34654-how-to-sell-your-home-despite-having-lousy-neighbors-baltimore-real-estate
How to Sell Your Home Despite Having Lousy Neighbors
A shaken Rebecca Rand said the bulldozer ripped right through her kitchen. Another neighbor, Mary Davis, upon receipt of a frantic call from her husband, ran from her home just before the colossal machine demolished it.
While good fences are said to make good neighbors, it was a fence that set Barry Swegle off. This particular fence was erected by a neighbor, lining the driveway Swegle used to get to his property. It was a long-standing dispute and Swegle finally snapped. He used a logging bulldozer to damage or destroy several outbuildings, a truck, a boat, a power pole and four homes in the neighborhood (including those of the two women above).
Thankfully, Swegle is an extreme case and not all neighbors are this nutty – but many can be annoying. Disputes are common, and it's how you handle them that will determine their outcome – and potentially, the value of your home.
What if your neighbor's habits and lifestyle jeopardize the sale of your home – or at the least, affect your ability to get full market value for it? Attempting to reach a resolution with a problem neighbor will require diplomacy and patience.
WHEN TO DISCLOSE A DISPUTE WITH A NEIGHBOR
Home sellers have an obligation to disclose to the buyer any adverse conditions that may materially affect the home's value. Naturally, sellers are hesitant to meet this obligation out of fear they'll drive away the buyer. Failure to disclose, however, may result in a trip to court and huge amounts of money out of your pocket.
If a neighbor creates a nuisance, you are most likely required to disclose that. Your real estate agent is the expert on disclosure regulations in your area, so don't hesitate to ask questions.
If you still feel that a problem with a neighbor doesn't require disclosure, take heed of a 1998 California court case in which the seller failed to disclose ongoing disputes with a neighbor. Sometimes the arguments became so heated that the seller was forced to call the police.
After the buyer moved into the home he, too, experienced problems with the neighbor. He eventually learned about the seller's undisclosed disputes and sued the seller. The buyer prevailed in court, winning a rescission of the sale, court costs, attorney's fees and damages.
There's an old real estate adage that all sellers should follow: "If in doubt, disclose."
NOISE COMPLAINTS
The most common dispute among neighbors is about noise, according to FindLaw.com. Barking dogs, domestic disturbances, loud music and noises associated with motor vehicles are among the complaints most often reported to police.
So, just how much does a noisy neighbor affect your home's value? "I've seen many situations where external factors, such as living near a bad neighbor, can lower home values by more than 5 to 10 percent," Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges told Business Insider. For a home that should sell for $200,000, for instance, a bad neighbor might cost the seller $10,000 to $20,000.
HOW TO DEAL WITH A NOISY NEIGHBOR
The folks at Nolo suggest talking to the errant neighbor to try to come up with a solution. They recommend that you approach as if he or she has no idea there's a problem. Be calm and friendly.
If this doesn't work, visit the neighbor again to remind him about the problem, and say that you hope the two of you can solve it without involving the police.
If you think the confrontation may become heated, send the warning in writing – again being polite and friendly. Enclose a copy of the local noise ordinance that addresses noise problems.
Unfortunately, short of calling the police or suing the neighbor in a court of law, this is probably the most you can do to get a loud neighbor to cease and desist.
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND, THIS LAND IS MY LAND
Another common dispute between neighbors occurs over property boundaries. Perhaps your neighbor plants a tree or installs a fence, and it just so happens to be on your property.
A dispute over property lines must be dealt with quickly, so that it doesn't cloud your home's title. Dealing with this problem is similar to dealing with noisy neighbors. First, however, do your homework.
"Find your settlement papers and search for a drawing that indicates your property line. You can find this information on the plat, a representation of the property survey, which you should have received at settlement," suggests Ann Cochran, writing for the National Association of Realtors®.
You'll need this as proof of encroachment when you speak with your neighbor. If you can't find it, Cochran suggests that you check your state or county government's website for the information. If all else fails, you'll need to order a survey of the property.
Armed with the proof, visit your neighbor and calmly explain the problem. Hopefully, this will bring about a resolution. If it doesn't, your next step is to write the neighbor a letter, once again documenting the encroachment, and again, asking that he remedy the problem. If you still see no relief in sight, consider mediation, and finally, if all else fails, a lawsuit.
So when it's time to sell, unless the noisy neighbor shuts up or the encroacher moves his stuff back to his side of the property line, you'll need to disclose the problem to any buyer that submits an offer on your home.
Source: RealtyTimes, Hellen Kelbaugh
http://helenesellshomes.realtytimes.com/advicefromagents1/item/34654-how-to-sell-your-home-despite-having-lousy-neighbors-baltimore-real-estate
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)