A Question of Neighbours

Once in awhile the question gets asked – “What do you know about the neighbours?” or “Who lives next door?” Whether the question is directed at me representing a buyer or directly to the seller or their agent, this is basically an open mine field for anyone who actually wants to attempt to answer. The question it seems gets asked more frequently by folks looking at high and medium density complexes as opposed to single family residential neighbourhoods. Closer living quarters equals closer contact.

The reasons why buyers ask are usually based around personal safety, level of interaction and how people tend to get along, noise, expectations of participation etc. (Though in my experience they aren’t actually able to define what they want to know clearly) All very difficult for anyone to assess and pass fair judgement. And that’s what it is – a judgement based on personal experiences, perceptions, expectations, desires, personal like and dislikes. Some people do have biases about who the people who maybe living around them but how someone else describes another person is very subjective. Is it the realtor to suss out ‘kind of people’ will live near you? There’s also a bigger question of ethics underlying the smaller question of wanting to know about the neighbours.

If you ask someone about neighbour and they tell you he has a slight mental health problem – what exactly does that mean? It means nothing really because there is no substance behind the statement. If you ask the woman who was cheated on by her husband by a neighbour, she may have nothing nice to say even though the “culprit” maybe a very nice individual. Maybe someone doesn’t like kids – or at least the neighbour’s kids. Maybe a neighbour doesn’t like certain cooking smells and has made an opinion of someone based on that. This could go on indefinitely. It happens all the time and it’s all about a point of view.

If a buyer is truly concerned (and they should be) about criminal activity, sex offenders and drug houses, and property crimes, that information is easily accessed by anyone including the realtor through local crime statistics and a quick search on the internet of community news stories. This is fact based information and part of my role to help people make educated decisions about where they want to live.

If a buyer truly feels the need to know about neighbours, than they need to do the legwork themselves of driving around, talking with people, knocking on doors, asking personal/private questions, talking with property managers etc. The can then form their own opinions based on the opinions of others.

I would say "cheap" as well, but that word is interpreted differently by everybody. I generally tend to think that most people notice the same things I do (this is mostly from experience of going through so many homes with so many people). That said, there are a couple of things that can be done easily or moderately easy by anyone within what I consider reasonable cost. 

1. If the caulking around your tub/shower/toilet/sink is showing signs of mold or mildew either clean it to pristine white (not as easy as you think) or remove it and replace it. There are so many "DIY" videos on the web or 1 hour courses available at places like Home Depot (I have seen them offered on the bulletin board at the Richmond, BC location) that I won't go into the details here. I'm sure Rona offers similar seminars. I've done the replacing in my 3 bathrooms in my Ladner home and have done it before in my Steveston condo) and it's not that hard to do.

2. A fresh coat of a neutral coloured bathroom paint (yes there are different types of paint - bathroom paint is made specifically to handle the moisture content) always refreshes and brightens a room and can cover up minor flaws. And don't forget to paint the trim around the floor, window frame and door.

3. If you have a bathroom fan and it full of lint, dust, rust or just looks gross try and have it replaced - ditto for a very outdated light fixture. (you may need to hire an electrician if you don't know one or can do this yourself).

4. Towel bars, toilet roll holders and shower rods can be very inexpensive and are generally very simple to install. So, if you are painting, remove these items first; make any repairs and then replace. Light switch plate covers are super cheap and dead easy. Knobs and draw pulls are easy and cheap as well. Ditto a toothbrush holder, garbage receptacle and soap dish (personally I prefer a liquid soap at the sink - much neater). 

5. Linens and shower curtains - if your home is going on to market, pick up a few fluffy white towels and a nice white/neutral coloured shower liner (you don't need a full curtain set). Put the towels out only for showings. It's amazing how pristine clean packs a punch with a prospective buyer.

6. I like to keep bric a brac in the bathroom to a minimum - of course, space usually dictates how much is out. A single large candle, a small flower arrangement, no toiletries except a great bottle of cologne. Be careful with scent, it bothers a lot of people. If your home is being shown put the hair products (shampoo and stuff included) away. 

7. Probably one of  the most important thing is a super deep cleaning. Got guys in your house? Ever looked at the wall behind the toilet?????  I'm just saying. 

8. So, if you have extra cash and feel the need to do a little bit more decide on what YOU notice that you don't like. Is it the flooring? the sink? the mirror or wall cabinet? The tub? The shower or surround? These are things that may take you in the realm of needing a little more expertise and assistance which costs money on top of materials. And some of these materials are not cheap either. 

If you have any ideas you would like to add or things you have had success with, please feel free to post! Would love to hear from you.