fishman
Veteran Member
Yes that is something to think about. My folks live in a lightly urbanized area about 10 miles from a 100k population center. They had a water tower/office put in place nextdoor and at the time weren't too thrilled. However, with houses sprouting everywhere it looks better and better every year. There's nobody there on the weekends, so barbeques and the like are much more private than they otherwise would be. Also, they hire a grounds crew that keeps things mowed really nice.
I really don't think it has lowered their property values at all. Now if that same property had been used as a trailer park (no zoning laws against it!) that would have been another story.
Also, one has to compare that neighbor to the two in the back. of the property. One has a prefab home that he replaces about every 5 years. He's not bad, and runs a couple of horses to keep things interesting. On the other side is a nice home that was built in the most ridiculous orientation, almost as though they were trying to make it ugly. Add that to the fact that they placed their septic pond about 20 yards from the edge of the property, and don't keep up their side of the fence, and you've got bad neighbors.
Oh, and how about the neighbor on the other side (left, front) of the property. They have an old shed that really needs repair. Because it isn't quite on the property line, they stack all kinds of junk on the back side of it. They can't see it, but we sure can. I mean, comeon, looking down the front yard sloping gently down to the highway about 100 yards away, with huge old sugar maples and flower beds, and then there on the left, an old shed with car fenders, and scraps of wood and brick piles. They also thoughtfully have been dumping chemicals on the edge of their property, killing a nice-sized dogwood that was actually starting to hide some of their mess.
Enough ranting. At least with a corporation, they generally abide by environmental rules and you don't feel too bad about chewing them out if necessary. It's probably a lot easier to deal with them than with neighbors.
I really don't think it has lowered their property values at all. Now if that same property had been used as a trailer park (no zoning laws against it!) that would have been another story.
Also, one has to compare that neighbor to the two in the back. of the property. One has a prefab home that he replaces about every 5 years. He's not bad, and runs a couple of horses to keep things interesting. On the other side is a nice home that was built in the most ridiculous orientation, almost as though they were trying to make it ugly. Add that to the fact that they placed their septic pond about 20 yards from the edge of the property, and don't keep up their side of the fence, and you've got bad neighbors.
Oh, and how about the neighbor on the other side (left, front) of the property. They have an old shed that really needs repair. Because it isn't quite on the property line, they stack all kinds of junk on the back side of it. They can't see it, but we sure can. I mean, comeon, looking down the front yard sloping gently down to the highway about 100 yards away, with huge old sugar maples and flower beds, and then there on the left, an old shed with car fenders, and scraps of wood and brick piles. They also thoughtfully have been dumping chemicals on the edge of their property, killing a nice-sized dogwood that was actually starting to hide some of their mess.
Enough ranting. At least with a corporation, they generally abide by environmental rules and you don't feel too bad about chewing them out if necessary. It's probably a lot easier to deal with them than with neighbors.