Viewing a house, next door neighbours garden a tip

[Bunnyxo]

Currently looking at houses as hoping to buy soon

I went to view one in an area i love however the neighbours front garden (there’s no divide between the gardens in this street) is a mess with kids toys

I’ve noticed this house before as you can see it from the main road and have always thought what a mess 🙈

Am I being pedantic?

I'd be very wary. The problem with driving by at the moment, is it won't give you an indication of what it would be like during the warmer months when you'd want to be outside.

I always do a StreetView look at any house I've considered. I was considering viewing one but on StreetView there was what looked like a family party going on at the house next door with everyone sitting on folding chairs on the drive. The drive was adjacent to the front garden of the house for sale and the owners had a big back garden and house to party in. It was before lockdown and there was nothing to suggest there was any sort of street party going on.

It may be unfair as it might have been a one off or, indeed the house vendors might have been invited. But I didn't view that house as I thought it hinted at a lack of consideration that could make for uncomfortable neighbours.

I would knock on the neighbour's door just to see if they seem like nice people or not. I would just be honest and say I was viewing the house next door so thought I'd get some independent views of the area from people who live there (because I don't trust the EA opinion etc blah blah).

No, the kids are probably a nightmare and will make life unpleasant.

It's very difficult when buying a house, you don't usually find out what your neighbours are like until you move in. Luckily for you this neighbour is showing you the red flags before you even walk through the door!
Take heed and avoid like the plague.

Don't buy the house, OP.
My neighbour moved in six years ago and her front garden gradually got worse and worse.
It started with a bit of clutter, then bin bags started being left there for weeks as she would often forget to put them out for collection.
Then she planted a buddlea that hasn't been trimmed in four years and is now out of control.
I do have a dividing fence, but sometimes just looking out of the window makes me tense.
And, as PPs have said, there are often other issues, and the garden is just the tip of the iceberg.
My neighbour also seems to be a hoarder.
OP, it's not worth it, and will gradually eat away at your peace of mind.

I’d avoid too. And you’re not weird, when I’m looking for houses I always have a good nosy on Google maps and street view to see the state of the neighbours, as well as a drive by when in the area.

You could have the most beautiful house in the world but bad neighbours will ruin it for you.

It depends. Our adjoining next door neighbour's garden is an absolute tip - back and front - (abandoned car, old lamp post, doors, bags of rubble, etc, all of which have been there for years) but they are the loveliest, kindest people you could hope to meet, which to me is more important.

Hard no

That would put me off the house. Bad neighbours are a menace and can seriously ruin your happiness.

My adult children have trampolines in their back gardens for their own children’s enjoyment. It is a sign that there can be noise on occasion, no question about it. Children playing = noise 🤷🏼‍♀️

We have toddlers toys in our garden, but equally we never have parties, dont smoke weed, only play classical music and don't have late nights.
The toddler toys were donated and we do try and keep them tidy and away but with an "outside" fan of a two year old it's not easy. For ref it's a sandpit, table and chairs, inflated dragon, baby wheelbarrow and baby garden stuff and a few balls.

My point is don't judge the neighbours by toys alone!

Which is great. However, when you are buying a house you don't know that and it could go either way. It's a gamble.

We drove up to a house viewing once and cancelled it without crossing the door as next door was a ramshackle mess with cars on bricks. The EA said we were not the first either

I nearly bought a house next door to a messy front garden. I thought, maybe they would move one day and it would be fine in time. Occasionally I drive past and it’s still the same twenty years later!

My garden is a bit of a mess due to various reasons, chronic pain, lack of time/funds to sort. Doesn’t mean I’m a nightmare neighbour. I’m quiet, no kids, park where I should on my drive not blocking people, I don’t make noise and scream and shout at all hours, I keep to myself. Unlike the very neat perfect garden house over the road, who are absolute nightmares. A messy garden doesn’t mean bad neighbours every time

its a hard pass from me

If house is discounted enough … there will be a happy buyer.

Exactly this. I live next door to an actual nut job and so when I move i will hyper aware of anything similar. Look for all the signs and, if in doubt, find somewhere else. There is nothing worse than living next door to awful people.

I am in these circs. Luckily my neighbours are lovely and we all co operate but I am well aware that things can change and change quickly and I have limited control over this.

We fell in love with the house we viewed and ignored the absolute tip next door's garden was.
What a mistake that was. Years of horrendous neighbours.

Sadly I have the opposite of this, a nightmare neighbour who keeps the most attractive front garden in the road. This makes him behave like he is entitled to spy on and report everyone and everything.

I'm so sorry to hear that @Dandeliontea123 . It certainly can be a case of not judging a book by its cover.

Thank you, yes indeed. Fortunately the neighbours around him are all lovely. I'm just glad we didn't buy the house next door to him instead.

*it's a cul de sac and we live opposite him.

Why don't you.knock on messy neighbours door, ask what it's like to live around here.You get to meet them form an impression.