How Your Neighbors Affect Your Property Value (2024)

When you start your home buying journey, one sometimes overlooked tip to consider is that you should be cautious when choosing neighbors in regards to future property values. Now, although you can’t actually choose a neighbor when you already live in a home, you can reconsider buying a house because of existing neighbors; that’s what this tip is all about.A house may look great and have all the features you want, but if it’s the only house on the block that’s in great condition, or there are neighbors that have unkempt lawns, or other visual disturbances, then the property value of that home could decrease after you purchase it, making it a not-so-great investment.

A decreasing property value can make selling your home in the future more difficult or selling for less than what you purchased it for, causing you to lose money in the long run.

According to the Appraisal Institute, a bad neighbor could potentially reduce your home’s value up to 10%. This sort of effect is referred to as external obsolescence; where external factors have an affect on your home’s value, instead of factors on your property that can cause a decrease.

What you should look out for

There are signs to look out for that can determine the direction of which the home’s value will head in the future. Although external obsolescence can have a negative impact on your home, it can be temporary things, so it’s important to do a little research.

Physical factors

This point can seem obvious, but sometimes it’s overlooked because you may consider it to be an easy fix. For example, a neighbor’s unkempt lawn can have a negative impact on your home. The simple solution is to clean it up, add some easy curb appeal, etc. This could be a temporary factor in reducing your home’s value, but if this neighbor has a regularly unkempt lawn, then it may not be so temporary.Some lawns can be in complete disrepair, and the closer these properties are to your home, the more severe of an impact it has on your home’s value.For whatever reason the neighbor is unable to clean up their property, whether they simply don’t have the time or finances, the risk is that it could decrease your home’s value. The more neighbors you have that have the same problem, the more of an impact it will all have on surrounding homes and your property, ultimately affecting property values of an entire neighborhood.Thankfully, many neighborhoods have HOA guidelines that each homeowner has to follow. This can guide homeowners in picking an exterior door color to allowing only a certain number of cars to be kept on your property. You can report an irresponsible neighbor to the local HOA and they’ll handle the situation from there.

Financial factors

If a neighbor has severe financial issues, then an unkempt lawn may be the least cause of concern. A big impact on your home value would be a nearby foreclosure. A study by the New York Times saw a 1.3% drop in home values of homes that were within 300-500 feet of a foreclosed home. The impact can be even more significant if the foreclosed home is also in physical disrepair.If you live in a condo for example, neighbors who don’t pay maintenance fees can have an impact on your unit’s value and the rest of the building because of a lack of desirability of living there by potential homebuyers.Although a foreclosure could have a severe impact on home values, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s permanent. It’s possible to see things turnaround when you ride it out and wait until the bank or lender sells the home to a new homebuyer.

Ultimately, unsightly yards and foreclosures affect the resale value of your home because they bring down the average home values in the neighborhood.

Legal factors

It’s important to do research of criminal neighbors as well, because a registered criminal or someone engaging in criminal activity could potentially put a dent in your home’s value by 10%. Most communities share lists of homeowners with criminal backgrounds, which you can have access to when looking into different neighborhoods.Other factors aside from the ones listed above could also potentially impact your purchase choices or selling abilities, such as neighbor’s behavior. For example, if a neighbor is disruptive and/or throws loud parties all the time, this could have a negative impact on your neighborhood. There’s no real good way of knowing about these factors when looking for a home though, since you don’t live there yet. But you can ask the current homeowners of the house about neighbors, and although they may likely outline the positives, you can gauge how positive you really see those factors being off your own past experiences or opinion.

How Your Neighbors Affect Your Property Value (2024)

FAQs

How Your Neighbors Affect Your Property Value? ›

According to the Appraisal Institute, a bad neighbor could potentially reduce your home's value up to 10%. This sort of effect is referred to as external obsolescence; where external factors have an affect on your home's value, instead of factors on your property that can cause a decrease.

What lowers property value the most? ›

What hurts property value — 12 factors to consider
  1. Deferred or neglected maintenance. ...
  2. Home improvements done wrong or not built to code. ...
  3. Outdated kitchens and bathrooms. ...
  4. Shoddy workmanship. ...
  5. Bad or ugly landscaping. ...
  6. Frail or damaged roof. ...
  7. Noise pollution. ...
  8. Registered sex offenders in the area.
Feb 25, 2023

What brings down the value of a house? ›

Changes in the real estate market can lower the value of your home. Natural disasters and climate change can lower your property value because the property is a greater risk to purchase. Foreclosures in your neighborhood can also drive down property value.

What are 3 things that can impact the value of a home? ›

A home's value is affected by local real estate trends, the housing market, the home's condition, age, location and property size.

What actually increases property value? ›

Supply and demand. The basic law of supply and demand have a major effect on the housing market. Simply put, as the housing supply decreases or as demand rises, creating an inventory shortage, home values go up. A real estate inventory shortage means that there are fewer sellers than there are buyers.

What devalues a neighborhood? ›

Ultimately, unsightly yards and foreclosures affect the resale value of your home because they bring down the average home values in the neighborhood.

What adds the biggest value to a house? ›

Projects That Boost Your Home's Value
  • Remodel the kitchen. Updates to the kitchen pay off. ...
  • Upgrade the appliances. ...
  • Boost the bathrooms. ...
  • Remodel the attic or basem*nt. ...
  • Get decked out. ...
  • Boost curb appeal. ...
  • Improve energy efficiency.

What increases home value the most? ›

Upgrades that add physical square footage or make the home feel more spacious
  • Convert or build a home office. ...
  • Finish your basem*nt. ...
  • Open up the floor plan. ...
  • Add stone veneer to the front of your house. ...
  • Get a door of steel. ...
  • Replace your garage door. ...
  • Update your mailbox and house numbers. ...
  • Touch up or re-do your exterior paint.
Jan 31, 2022

At what age does a house start losing value? ›

If you haven't renovated your home in the past 30 years or so, it won't show well when you put it on the market. In other words, it won't get the same price as a similar home that's been maintained and updated.

What is the #1 thing that determines the value of a home? ›

Ultimately, the financial backing in a deal determines the property's value, and it's most often a mortgage lender making the call.

What are the four factors that influence value? ›

The current and future importance consumers place on the four factors of value (Desire, Utility, Scarcity, and Effective Purchasing Power) represents Demand and Supply of the product or service.

What are the three things that value the most? ›

  1. Your Health. Treat your body with the respect it deserves. ...
  2. Your Friends. Spending time with friends is key to our emotional wellbeing. ...
  3. Gratitude. Appreciate the miracle of life. ...
  4. Your Reputation. ...
  5. Your Family. ...
  6. Your Education. ...
  7. Giving To Others. ...
  8. Life Experiences.
Oct 17, 2022

What are the 5 factors of value? ›

I call it the 5 Factors of Value Method – Location, Condition, Functionality, Comparable Sales and Motivation. When using this method, you can literally write each of the 5 factors down on a sheet of paper and use it as a guide when valuing a home.

What are the three factors that affect land value? ›

Three Factors That Determine Land Value
  • Location. Here's one thing that land values have in common with property values: the better the location, the better the price. ...
  • Usable land vs. unusable land. ...
  • Utilities and improvements.
Oct 7, 2020

What determines the value in use of a property? ›

Principle of Supply and Demand

Buyers and sellers tend to set the price or value of a good based on the supply of a good and the demand for that good.

What adds more value to a home bedroom or bathroom? ›

Bathroom additions return the most, according to Remodeling magazine's report — an average of 86.4 percent. The addition of attic bedrooms, family rooms and sunrooms returned anywhere from 70 to more than 80 percent of the money spent — and that doesn't factor in the value of your own enjoyment of all that new space.

Does flooring increase home value? ›

So the short answer to “does new flooring increase home value?” is yes—if you're smart about your selections. The right upgrades also make your house move faster on the market. Follow these 5 pro tips to get the most out of this wise home investment.

How can I make my house look more expensive for an appraisal? ›

How to Increase Home Value for Appraisal
  1. Improve your house's curb appeal. ...
  2. Mow and clean up your yard. ...
  3. Examine the exterior of your home. ...
  4. Document all of your home upgrades. ...
  5. Give your home a deep cleaning. ...
  6. Patch up any imperfections. ...
  7. Let the appraiser do their job. ...
  8. Be open to the appraiser's questions.

How do I find bad neighbors when buying a house? ›

12 Ways to Research a Neighborhood Before Buying a House
  1. Neighborhood Ratings by Zip Code. ...
  2. Check the Community Website Directly. ...
  3. Review the Schools and Daycare Providers. ...
  4. Go There and Walk Around. ...
  5. Don't Be Afraid to Connect with Neighborhood Residents. ...
  6. Researching Neighborhood Crime Rates. ...
  7. Drive a Trial Run of Your Commute.
Oct 29, 2021

What makes land less valuable? ›

Land that is in a region that faces environmental risks could lose some of its value. For example, if a property is located in an area prone to flooding, mudslides, or earthquakes, those hazards might deter potential buyers from taking an interest in it.

What are the top 5 ways to increase home value? ›

8 ways to increase the value of your home
  • Clean and declutter. ...
  • Add usable square footage. ...
  • Make your home more energy-efficient. ...
  • Spruce it up with fresh paint. ...
  • Work on your curb appeal. ...
  • Upgrade your exterior doors. ...
  • Give your kitchen an updated look. ...
  • Stage your home.
Jul 5, 2022

What is the biggest selling point of a house? ›

Here's a top 10 list of what's most important to potential homebuyers:
  • THE OUTSIDE. It's trite but true: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. ...
  • LOCATION. Today's homes have to be conveniently located for homebuyers, agents say. ...
  • GARAGE. ...
  • KITCHEN. ...
  • MASTER BEDROOM. ...
  • BATHROOM. ...
  • STORAGE SPACE. ...
  • BAsem*nTS.
Mar 4, 2007

How to stage your home to sell for top dollar? ›

Staging Your Home to Sell for Top Dollar
  1. Clean & Declutter Your Home. Photo via @sharon_arny_interior_design. ...
  2. Remove Personal Items. ...
  3. Furnish Empty Spaces. ...
  4. Let in Natural Light. ...
  5. Hire a Professional Photographer. ...
  6. Choose the Right Paint Color for Your Walls. ...
  7. Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal. ...
  8. Upgrade Carpets & Floors.
Oct 28, 2022

What adds the most value to a kitchen remodel? ›

12 Ways to Add Value to Kitchens
  • Add an Island. If you have space, add a hardworking island or mobile workstation. ...
  • Make Sure It's the Right Height. ...
  • Use a Neutral Color Scheme. ...
  • Refresh Cabinets. ...
  • Swap Out Lighting. ...
  • Update Fixtures. ...
  • Add a Splashy Backsplash. ...
  • Update Finishes.

Do appliances increase home value? ›

If you do have the budget for this it is also worth considering how much value new appliances will add to your home. For example, if your home is worth $250,000, these appliances could increase its value by $17,000. If you spend $13,000, you'll make an extra $4,500.

What is the oldest age to buy a house? ›

Thanks to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, there is no age limit to taking out a mortgage. As long as you can meet the financial requirements, you're allowed to take out a loan at any time. To take out a mortgage over 60 you will need to be able to prove your ability to repay the loan.

What is the best age to buy a house? ›

When you're in your middle years or older, chances are you'll have a higher, steadier income and a better idea of where you'd like to settle down than when you were first starting out. You'll also leave yourself time to build excellent credit, which may qualify you for the best available mortgage rates and terms.

What age are most home buyers? ›

But is there a right age when these factors should be in place? And are these the factors Americans should consider when deciding to become a homeowner for the first time? In 2022, the average age of first-time homebuyers was 36, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This is up from 33 in 2021.

How accurate is Zillow home value? ›

How accurate is the Zestimate? The nationwide median error rate for the Zestimate for on-market homes is 2.4%, while the Zestimate for off-market homes has a median error rate of 7.49%.

What are the 4 ways to value a property? ›

Top 4 Methods of Real Estate Appraisal
  • Sales Comparison Approach. The sales comparison approach assumes that prior sales of similar properties provide the best indication of a property's value. ...
  • Cost Approach Appraisal. ...
  • Income Approach Appraisal. ...
  • Price Per Square Foot.
Feb 22, 2022

What are the three types of property value? ›

You should know the difference between these three values; in particular: Market Value, Assessed Value and Replacement Cost of a property.

What is required in order to determine the market value of a property? ›

Fair market value is usually determined by taking the average of three or more comparable homes. The comps strategy is a popular way to determine a home's fair market value, the price a buyer is willing to pay in a given market.

What are two items that may influence values? ›

Everyone has values, but each person has a different value set. These differences are affected by an individual's culture, personal upbringing, life experiences, and a range of other influences.

What are the general influencers of real property value? ›

Demand, utility, scarcity, transferability or "D-U-S-T" or desire,utility, scarcity, and effective purchasing power. There are four great forces that affect value.

What is one thing more valuable than money? ›

American Entrepreneur and acclaimed motivational speaker and author Jim Rohn once said: “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” This is a concept that I feel many people would agree with.

What thing holds its value the best? ›

Some might work better than others for you.
  • Stocks. Shares of stocks represent partial ownership of a company that trades publicly on the stock market. ...
  • Real Estate. Most types of real estate investments act as some of the most popular things that hold value over time. ...
  • Rare Art. ...
  • Fine Wine. ...
  • Land.

How do I become more valued? ›

In this Article:
  1. Get consistent.
  2. Cultivate a positive perspective.
  3. Work on your flexibility.
  4. Grow your network.
  5. Improve your communication skills.
  6. Improve your on-the-job skills.
  7. Ask for feedback and set goals.

What number has 5 positive factors? ›

Hence, 16 is the number with exactly 5 factors.

What are the value factors? ›

The value factor is an attribute of stocks that are chosen by factor investors. The value factor is based on a belief that stocks that are inexpensive relative to some measure of fundamental value outperform those that are pricier.

What makes a property more valuable? ›

A home's value is affected by local real estate trends, the housing market, the home's condition, age, location and property size.

Who determines the value of land? ›

The property tax appraiser is required to allocate the total property value between land and improvements, which may be accomplished through a separate estimate of land value.

What is unusable land? ›

Unusable land means land not beneficial to residential use due to location or character such as drainage ditches, steep slopes, dense woods, sidewalks and utility strips when their presence renders the land unusable for residential use.

What decreases value of home? ›

Changes in the real estate market can lower the value of your home. Natural disasters and climate change can lower your property value because the property is a greater risk to purchase. Foreclosures in your neighborhood can also drive down property value.

What is the 4 3 2 1 rule in real estate? ›

THE 4-3-2-1 APPROACH

This ratio allocates 40% of your income towards expenses, 30% towards housing, 20% towards savings and investments and 10% towards insurance.

What is the value of a property based on? ›

An assessor looks at information about your property and neighborhood, while comparing it to other properties in your area, to determine the assessed value. The assessor uses the market approach, which is a method to estimate the value based on the selling price of similar homes.

What determines the highest value for a property? ›

The Appraisal Institute defines highest and best use as “the reasonably probable and legal use of vacant land or an improved property that is physically possible, appropriately supported, financially feasible and that results in the highest value.” Appraisers typically apply four tests to determine that use.

Who decides the value of a property? ›

The buyer and seller of real estate determine the fair market value of real estate. The appraiser or assessor analyzes real estate transactions that occur within a community and determine the factors that lead to the final sale prices.

What are the 3 most important factors in real estate? ›

The three most important factors when buying a home are location, location, and location. Too often I hear people talking about making decisions based on the home itself, instead of the location, and that is a mistake.

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