Loud neighbors, lawns that look like jungles, and colors that are torture to look at. These are massive red flags when you’re in search of a home. But when you already live in a place like this, these could be early warning signs that your property value might diminish.

Property value is influenced by a wide range of factors, and those factors can ruin even a nice neighborhood. Plenty of upscale locations have turned rundown in just the course of a few decades, thanks to reasons like this.

Can I sue my neighbor for lowering my property value? What lowers property value in the first place?

Let’s look at nine common red flags to be on the lookout for in this property value guide. Then we’ll discuss whether or not you can sue your neighbor for them.

1. Excessive Noise

Noisy neighbors love to give everyone in their immediate vicinity a headache. They play loud music at odd hours and have parties late into the night. Despite any HOA restrictions on noise past a certain hour, they continue to flaunt these requirements.

These neighbors can also come in the form of those who have no consideration in the early morning. They mow their lawn at 4 am or play music in the early hours.

Whatever the case, these neighbors are a nuisance to everyone else. Studies have shown that loud noise has a strong correlation with declining property values. All it takes is one careless neighbor to cause this effect on a single street.

2. Aggressive Pets

The stereotype that you’re in a bad neighborhood is a vicious pitbull held back by a chainlink fence. While this trope is common in movies, it’s a reality you have to consider. Territorial aggression is a part of a dog’s nature, meaning your neighbor’s dog will be a problem until they move out.

Aggressive dogs are a risk to neighbors of all ages. They pose a significant threat to young children and the elderly. But even a healthy young adult could suffer serious wounds from a dog attack.

Further, dogs contribute to the aforementioned noise problem when they bark, and thus reduce property values.

3. Neglected Lawns and Excessive Weeds

Perhaps the most obvious on this list are the lawns that haven’t gotten landscaped.

It doesn’t matter if it’s been weeks, months, or even years. These homes are more than an eyesore. They can harbor pests or much worse.

Neglected lawns tend to be a perennial problem. If your neighbor doesn’t keep up with lawn work now, it’s highly unlikely they will change.

4. Too Much Trash

Like with the weeds, an excessive amount of trash isn’t just a bad look for the neighborhood. Food waste can attract animals, which may stick around to feast on your lawn or trash. This can include nasties like rats, skunks, and even raccoons.

5. Violating HOA Regulations

HOA regulations are often the last line of defense against neglectful neighbors. Fines are often steep, and the HOA has a reputation for aggressively pursuing violators.

However, that becomes more difficult as more and more neighbors defy them. Your local HOA can become overextended trying to curtail some of these issues. Repeated offenses can lead to continued weakening of the HOA’s power in intervening.

6. Dilapidated Exterior

It doesn’t take much for a home to start to look like a haunted house. Peeling paint, missing roof shingles, and old rotting fences. The neighbor who doesn’t keep up with his lawn likely won’t care for his home’s exterior, either.

Poorly-maintained homes, like unruly lawns, are the first thing prospective buyers will see. Even if the home is a foreclosure, it’s a really bad look for your neighborhood.

7. Zoning Violations

Zoning laws are very strict about what is allowed, and what is not. Homeowners must review the law before making significant changes or decisions with their property. But that doesn’t stop homeowners from running secret AirBnBs or worse.

Violating these zoning laws can only hurt homeowners. As more of your neighbors overstep their bounds, they exacerbate this problem.

8. Too Much Partying

Partying needs to be excessive before it becomes a problem. Parties multiple times a month that go late into the evening or night aren’t just loud. They crowd the street with vehicles belonging to strangers and may bring undesirable folk into your neighborhood.

9. Financial Issues

Some neighbors may simply be unable to afford to live in your neighborhood. They may be unable to comply with some of the changes that the HOA requires. Or they may have poor home maintenance, old vehicles, and unsavory friends.

Home prices often act as a barrier. They keep a certain class of people in the neighborhood, which keeps its value high. But values begin to drop as soon as one too many neighbors start to live with lower standards.

How To Handle The Situation: Can I Sue My Neighbor for Lowering My Property Value?

Now that we’ve covered the nine most common issues, how do you deal with them? If a suit is the first thought on your mind, take a few steps back. It’s important to seek all available avenues before going with the nuclear option.

Remember, you’re invested in this neighborhood. One negative interaction with your neighbor can put a bad taste in both parties’ mouths. Put your best foot forward to ensure peaceful transactions from here on out.

Talk To Them

Diplomacy is always the best policy. There’s a good chance your neighbor has different expectations than you do. The solution may require a simple conversation to help them understand how their decisions affect everyone else.

Keep in mind that people cannot read your mind. You may be utterly infuriated by the actions of your neighbor. Meanwhile, they are completely unaware of how they’ve affected you in the first place.

Approach them in a respectful and tactful manner. Avoid an outburst or any condescending language. Human psychology being what it is, you’re unlikely to reach an agreement if you’re aggressive or accusatory.

Further, your actions now will determine where a court case is viable later. If you skip this step and head straight for lawsuit territory, the judge may note your failure to make amends. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to try.

Being the mature, responsible party wins you points for a potential case, too. A judge is likely to look unfavorably on a case where you proved to be the unreasonable party.

Offer Help

Consider the fact that the neighbor may be aware that some of their actions are detrimental to the community. However, they may have a lot on their plate, forcing them to neglect important homeowner duties.

They may be suffering from health issues, or have had a tragedy like water damage from a huge leak. As a result of this situation, they may not have the means, time, or energy to fix things.

Be a good neighbor and offer what help you can. Mowing their lawn or helping to repaint only costs you some of your time. In return, you improve your property value.

Discuss It With the HOA

If push comes to shove, you always have that one last option: the HOA. The HOA thrives with cases where two neighbors were unable to come to an agreement. They can put pressure on someone who told you to shove it when you pointed out their poor behavior.

The HOA has contractual and legal power, meaning they’ll use more than words to get things done. They can give an ultimatum in no uncertain terms to oblige your neighbor to make changes. They’ll follow up with it, meaning you no longer have to deal with that neighbor.

The HOA pursues permanent solutions. A homeowner who fails to keep up with their lawn needs checkups to make sure they fell in line. A visit from the HOA is never a fun one, and most homeowners will change their attitude after such an interaction.

Take it to the Authorities

If the above has failed, it’s time to take it up with the law. There are a handful of ways you can do this before filing suit:

• Contact state or local departments and file a report
• Build a physical barrier to isolate yourself in the event of land disputes or other nuisances
• Install a “No Trespassing” sign
• Make a court case under nuisance laws if the neighbor is unreasonable
• Have an agent build a case for why your property value has declined

Filing a lawsuit is possible, but you will need strong proof that your neighbor truly lowered your property value. You may need to hire a realtor or other professional to provide adequate proof that the value went down. This may be a laborious and protracted affair, so do try to try other measures before you resort to this.

Need To Sell Your House Fast? iBuyer Can Help

Can I sue my neighbor for lowering my property value? In most cases, this should only be your last resort option. Find diplomatic solutions if possible, but don’t be afraid to get the HOA or the law involved.

iBuyer is your go-to source for real estate and home valuation. We’ll help you sell your home as a result of an emergency, or if you just don’t want to deal with the stress. Use our free home value estimator and find out how much you can get in cash for your property today.

The post 9 Red Flags Your Neighborhood is Lowering Your Property Value appeared first on iBuyer Blog.

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You might not think about it much, but your crawl space does, indeed, exist. What’s more, it requires attention from time to time to ensure that it’s thriving.

See, a damaged crawl space can affect real estate value, thus costing you money when you try to sell your home. To what extent can a crawl space issue affect value?

This article has you covered! Not only are we going to discuss crawl space moisture issues but also crawl space repair and more. Without further ado, here’s your ultimate guide for crawl space issues.

What Is a Crawl Space?

Let’s start by answering the simple question: what is a crawl space? A crawl space is a small unfinished area within the confines of a house. It’s generally tight and cramped and often requires that you crawl through it to navigate it physically.

Crawl spaces provide a barrier between a home and the damp ground outside. They help keep the finished parts of a home dry, allowing air to circulate below the home undisturbedly. This air circulation allows for greater insulation and moisture reduction.

Crawl spaces are also beneficial in that they provide space for ductwork, plumbing, and electrical wiring. They enable service providers to easily access these entities, providing as much convenience as possible.

Not all homes have crawl spaces. Some have basements. And others are built on top of a concrete slab.

But if you do have a crawl space, you need to take measures to maintain it. If you don’t, a number of problems can crop up. We’ll get into these problems in more detail below.

How Crawl Space Issues Affect Your Home Value

Crawl space issues run the gamut from mold growth to pest infestations to uneven floors and more. As you might expect, all of these problems have the potential to affect a home’s value negatively.

What would you do if your prospective home had a pest infestation in its crawl space? In all likelihood, you would be looking for a price reduction.

If the floors were uneven, you would expect an even bigger reduction. That’s not a cheap problem to fix, after all.

The fact of the matter is that a damaged crawl space is a liability. No one is going to pay the optimal price for a liability. In other words, as the seller of your home, if you have a damaged crawl space, you will miss out on money.

This is why, prior to putting your home on the market, you need to strongly consider repairing the problems in your crawl space. Depending on what those problems are, you could be saving thousands and maybe even tens of thousands of dollars.

How to Fix Crawl Space Issues

Now, you’re probably wondering how to fix crawl space foundation issues. Of course, this depends on the specifics of the problem. So, to get you started, let’s review several common problems below.

1. Uneven Floors

One of the most troubling crawl space issues you can come across is the issue of uneven floors. This generally presents itself as a floor that dips and sags.

What causes it? Deteriorated floor joints and columns, not to mention standard crawl space settling. What causes this? Moisture!

So, if you want to prevent this problem from happening, you have to get rid of the moisture that makes its way into your crawl space. This can be done through crawl space encapsulation.

Crawl space encapsulation entails placing a waterproof barrier around the edges of the crawl space. It also includes sealing vents and insulating the walls of the crawl space.

Of course, you’ll also need to repair the deteriorated columns and floor joints. Until these are repaired or replaced, your floors will continue to sag, and likely worsen over time.

2. Water in the Crawl Space

Crawl space moisture issues are extremely common. After all, the crawl space is right next to the soil, which holds tremendous amounts of groundwater. Crawl space water issues are almost an inevitability.

The issue is that water can wreak absolute havoc on a crawl space and the house that surrounds it. Not only can it result in mold growth and musty smells but structural damage as well.

Therefore, you must do everything you can to keep your crawl space moisture-free. This starts with the encapsulation of your crawl space. It’s then supplemented with things like dehumidifier installation and sump pump installation.

3. Mold Issues

Simply put, crawl spaces are hotbeds for mold. Because they take on water on a regular basis, and because they’re dark, they’re practically the perfect place for mold to thrive. Therefore, it’s almost certain that, at some point, you’re going to have mold growth in your crawl space.

Now, you might be thinking: so what? You can’t see it, so what difference does it make? But mold can have a number of negative effects outside of an unpleasant aesthetic.

For one, mold smells bad. Rest assured, that smell will make its way into your home.

For two, mold can cause crawl space health issues. Therefore, if it’s present in your crawl space, you could find yourself prone to fits of sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and more.

This is why we strongly advise removing mold from your crawl space. Even more, we recommend encapsulating your crawl space to prevent further mold growth in the future.

4. Rotten Smell

Does your home carry a rotten and musty odor? This is often referred to as the “old house smell”. Where does it come from? In most cases, the crawl space.

As was noted above, as a crawl space is exposed to more and more moisture, it attracts mold. The more this mold accumulates, the stronger and smellier the odor it releases.

As you might expect, the smell produced in the crawl space tends to waft up into the home’s first floor. So, if there’s mold in the crawl space, the home itself is going to smell old and musty.

The fix? First of all, you need to get rid of the mold. Then, you need to take measures to waterproof your crawlspace. This includes sealing vents, applying a vapor barrier, adding a sump pump, installing a dehumidifier, and more.

5. Pest Infestation

Crawl spaces are particularly prone to pest infestations. This stands to reason, as they’re cold, wet, and uninhabited places where insects can find refuge and feel comfortable.

But insects, unfortunately, can cause several problems after they’ve worked their way into a crawl space. Some of these insects will gnaw at the wooden support beams within your crawl space, causing structural damage and resulting in sagging floors. Other insects will spread disease, making your home a potentially dangerous place.

Therefore, they need to be done away with. First, call up a pest control company. Once they’ve eradicated the insects in your crawl space, consider encapsulating your crawl space.

Encapsulating your crawl space will make it much more difficult for insects to work their way into it. Plus, it will be less attractive to insects, so they’ll be less likely to go there anyway.

6. Cold Floors

Another problem that a crawl space can cause is the problem of cold floors. When a crawl space isn’t properly insulated, the air within it can travel upward. During the cold months of the year, this, of course, makes the floor cold.

The solution? Insulation! Make sure that your crawl space is adequately insulated and you’ll never have to worry about this problem ever again.

7. High Energy Bills

The last problem we’re going to discuss is the problem of high energy bills. Why might a crawl space cause energy bills to skyrocket? It all comes down to a lack of insulation.

As noted, the air in the crawl space will rise into the home above. Therefore, if you’re trying to, for example, heat your home to counteract cold outside, a non-insulated crawl space will negate some of your efforts.

To make up for this, your heating system will work even harder. This, of course, will result in greater energy usage and, therefore, higher energy bills.

The remedy is simple: insulate your crawl space.

Sell Your Home Today

As you can see, crawl space issues can have quite a negative effect on a home’s overall value. Therefore, before you put your house up for sale, you’re strongly advised to repair your crawl space.

Looking to sell your home today? iBuyer.com has you covered. Get started by requesting a home valuation!

The post Crawl Space Issues: How They Affect Home Value appeared first on iBuyer Blog.

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After climbing steeply for the last couple of years, the median sales price for houses in the US is finally leveling off. At the end of the third quarter of 2022, the median cost had reached $454,900. With house prices constantly fluctuating, you need a seasoned professional to help you gauge the value of your home.

Whether you’re applying for a mortgage, refinancing, or selling your home, you need a home appraisal. But that throws up more questions, including what is a home appraisal and how much does a home appraisal cost?

We’ve created a home appraisal cost guide to help you understand every part of this process. We’ll look at the home appraisal cost and what you can do to keep the cost of a home appraisal down.

How Does a Home Appraisal Work?

You may be wondering, How much do appraisals cost for homes? But before tackling that question, we need to understand how they work.

Home appraisals can only be conducted by state-licensed and certified professionals. Home appraisers are independent – they do not work for the lender.

They assess the value of your home by comparing it to other homes sold in the same area. They take into account factors like:

• Square footage
• Condition of the home
• Style of the house
• Age of the house
• Building materials used in construction

They will inspect your property inside and out, looking for features and faults that could affect its value. Next, they’ll research records about the property and what’s happening in terms of development in the local area. Finally, they’ll produce a report that includes their valuation and reasons for arriving at that figure.

What the Home Appraisal Includes

It’s important to remember that the appraisal does not just look at the value of the home. It also takes into account the land value and other permanent structures on the land.

Appraisers are impartial and experienced, and they can look beyond minor flaws. If the house is a little untidy and the lawn needs a trim, don’t worry. Minor factors like these will not affect the outcome of the appraisal.

There are some factors the appraiser will look at that you can do nothing about. This includes:

• Local amenities – shopping facilities and schools
• Access to transportation
• Road connections
• Vacant or condemned lots in the area

Why Do You Need a Home Appraisal?

A home appraisal is normally part of the lending process. For example, if you are buying a home with a mortgage, you will need a home appraisal. This is how the bank protects itself and assesses the level of risk involved with lending you the money you need.

You may also need a home appraisal if you want to refinance your current home. You may want to borrow more money for home improvements or other reasons. The mortgage lender will usually make a home appraisal a condition of the loan.

Important for Sellers, Too

Although buyers need home appraisals, they are of interest to sellers, too. If your home is in poor condition, the appraisal may be low. A low valuation may lead to the buyer being unable to borrow enough money to pay the price you have agreed on.

The buyer may come back to you and try to negotiate a lower price for the property. If you’re selling a home, you should never consider a deal to be set in stone until the buyer receives a favorable appraisal report. It can take time for the appraisal to be completed, which can be problematic if you want to sell quickly.

Not Just for Mortgages

If you’re buying a home for cash, you’re under no obligation to get a home appraisal. However, it may still be a wise move so that you do not pay too much for the property.

How Much Does a Home Appraisal Cost?

On average, the home appraisal cost for a single-family home is $300 to $500. However, costs vary from state to state and can depend on other factors, as discussed below.

While costs vary, appraisers may only charge customary and reasonable service fees. After the appraisal, you will receive a valuation and a report detailing how they arrived at the valuation.

Who Pays for the Home Appraisal?

Normally, the borrower pays the home appraisal cost. This could be the buyer or the homeowner if they are refinancing.

It’s a significant amount and crucial to obtaining the financing needed to complete the purchase. It’s a cost that the buyer must pay out of pocket, whether the deal completes or not.

Home appraisers may work for a flat fee or may be paid by the hour. But if an appraiser asks for a percentage of the home’s final value as payment, that’s a red flag. If an appraiser wants to work on that basis, find another one.

What Factors Influence the Home Appraisal Cost?

To answer, How much does it cost for a home appraisal? We need to bear in mind that there are several factors involved. Unfortunately, some of these are beyond your control. But there are some things you can do to keep the cost down.

Size of the Home

It makes sense that the bigger your home, the higher the cost of the appraisal of the house! The evaluator has more acreage to cover to assess the entire house accurately. This will take them longer, and consequently, they may charge more for it.

Condition of the Home

Poorly maintained homes throw up lots of red flags that make appraisers antsy. This may drive up the cost of your home appraisal, as they need to research the property’s condition.

On the other hand, well-maintained homes are easier to appraise. There are more locally available comparables, and the appraiser can have more confidence in their valuation.

Bear in mind that home appraisers will look at:

• Health and safety issues
• Structural integrity of the building
• Visible flaws

If they have concerns, an appraiser can request additional inspections. For example, they may notice a problem with the roof. The appraiser could refuse to complete their report until they have received a copy of the roof inspection report.

The takeaway? For an easier and less expensive appraisal, keep your home in tip-top condition.

Location of the Home

If you live in a big city or an affluent part of the country, the answer to how much home appraisals cost may be higher than elsewhere. Also, if you need a home appraisal for a property way out in the boonies, you should expect the cost of the home appraisal to be higher.

These appraisals cost more because:

• The appraiser has to travel further to view the property
• The appraisal will take more time to conduct
• There are fewer comparable properties, meaning more research for the appraiser

You can’t pick up your home and move it closer to an urban area! This is one that homeowners have to take on the chin.

Type of Mortgages

Some types of mortgages require special appraisals. This includes government-backed mortgages. The property must meet certain structural and safety requirements to gain approval for FHA loans.

There are also special requirements for VA Home Loans that are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These loans limit the fees that appraisers can charge for their services.

How Is a Home Appraisal Different from a Home Inspection?

It’s easy to confuse the terms home appraisal and home inspection. Both are very important when buying a house, but they’re very different things.

The purpose of a home appraisal is to ascertain the value of your home. As this home appraisal guide has shown, it is obligatory, and several factors influence the final valuation. But it is not the role of the home appraiser to inspect the home.

A home inspection is not mandatory but is always recommended when buying a home. It tells the buyer about the condition of the home. It looks at:

• Interior
• Exterior
• Structure, including the foundation
• Roof
• HVAC system
• Plumbing
• Electricals

You will receive a detailed report, which may include recommendations for work that needs to be completed urgently. Buyers may use the home inspection to negotiate the price down.

Sell Your House Without the Hassle

The process of getting a home appraisal can be time-consuming and expensive. Plus, the home appraisal cost is not cheap and can rise depending on the home and its location. What if there were a simpler way?

If you’re looking to sell your home without the complication of a home appraisal, talk to iBuyer.com. We connect you with trusted buyers who are looking to buy homes as-is. No appraisals, no renovations, no hassle.

Submit your home address for a free valuation and connect with motivated buyers today!

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