neighbor's house color

[sabina]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

House is on the market. Nice neighborhood, good schools, somewhat historic houses. After the house went on the market the neighbor painted her house bright yellow, with black shudders. I mean really bright yellow (street sign yellow). Buyers that had put in an offer pulled out of deal, and has been very hard to get other people to view house. The space between the two houses is approx. 15 feet, and one side of our house is now yellow inside due to the light reflection. Contacted city, they do not have any ordinances that would help us and offer no mediation. Thanks.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

o.K. wonderful story. Please let us know when the sequel comes out.

 

[JETX]

Contacted city, they do not have any ordinances that would help us and offer no mediation.

Paint your house BRIGHT red and white. Then, when the buyers consider YIELDing due to the neighbors house, they will STOP at yours.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Paint your house BRIGHT red and white. Then, when the buyers consider YIELDing due to the neighbors house, they will STOP at yours.

Now THAT is a suggestion. But I wouldn't try it in Amsterdam

 

[JonesCD]

laws on housepaint?

Ok, I agree with the Breezy guy..are there really laws on what color you can paint your house? What if someone came to you and said.."I don't like the color of your house." Would you change it or tell them to kiss your ass?
I think if someone came to me with a town ordinance to change my house color, I would rip it up and throw it in their face. I paid 100,000 for my house, I'll paint it any damn color I want.
My advice to you...I guess that part of the house that is yellow..redecorate and style it to match yellow!.

 

[JETX]

are there really laws on what color you can paint your house?

In some community's, yes. They are called 'covenants' or 'deed restrictions'. Some of the newer community's (mine included) have 'Architectural Control Committees" that must review ANY proposed change that is viewable from the street.... including the paint color.

From another website:
A covenant is a promise in a written contract or a deed of real property. There are different types of covenants, such as a covenant of warranty, which is a promise to guarantee the title to the property is free of any claims against it, a promise agreeing to joint use of an easement for access to real property, or a covenant not to compete for a certain period of time, which is commonly made by a seller of a business . Mutual covenants among members of a homeowners association are promises to respect the rules of conduct or restrictions on use of property, which govern peaceful use, limitations on intrusive construction, etc., and are usually part of the recorded covenants, conditions and restrictions which govern a development or condominium project.

Covenants which run with the land, such as permanent easement of access or restrictions on use, are binding on future owners of the property. Covenants can be concurrent (mutual promises to be performed at the same time), dependent (one promise need be performed if the other party performs his/hers), or independent (a promise to be honored without reference to any other promise).

Also, see: http://www.realestatelawyers.com/Covenants-Conditions.cfm

 

[Happy Trails]

I thought when it came to real estate, it was all about location, location, location. I didn't know decoration came into play.

OP, there is nothing you can do about the color your neighbor wants his home. Except pull the blinds on that side of your home, or maybe put tin siding up so that it reflects back at your neighbor.

 

[Florid-aise]

OP, there is nothing you can do about the color your neighbor wants his home. Except pull the blinds on that side of your home, or maybe put tin siding up so that it reflects back at your neighbor

Yeah, absent covenants or restrictions, the perfect "all-around" compromise using the collective suggestions posted here.

Redd Tinn Tinn

Whaddya think?

 

[sabina]

Would you change it or tell them to kiss your ass?
I think if someone came to me with a town ordinance to change my house color, I would rip it up and throw it in their face. I paid 100,000 for my house, I'll paint it any damn color I want.
My advice to you...I guess that part of the house that is yellow..redecorate and style it to match yellow!.[/QUOTE]


True enough. However, that house you paid and restored (in my case) went on the market and suddenly wouldn't sell, would you feel the same? Tricky situation and now the house sits empty. I would still buy it, even with the yellow but a lot of people do not feel the same.

 

[tabathadolley]

The house next to us was just bought by a nice couple, who before they could move in their neighbor on the other side painted his house guacamole green. He says that in their bedroom everything is green even with dark shades up. He has only one solution : he's going to paint their house for them a nice neutral color. Can't wait to see how that works out. Short of that, guess you will have to wait until you find someone who likes bright yellow. If someone can paint their house bright green, I'm sure someone out there will enjoy the yellow.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Paint something disgusting on the side of your house facing his (maybe some beastiality or a homage to 'doodie') and when the neighbor complains, tell him you'll repaint yours when he repaints his.

 

[Florid-aise]

Paint something disgusting on the side of your house facing his (maybe some beastiality or a homage to 'doodie') and when the neighbor complains, tell him you'll repaint yours when he repaints his.

Now that is the spirit. The American Spirit. First Amendment rights to freedom of expression. Freedom to express that you don't like your neighbor's house color - in competition with his same rights to disagree with yours.

This could get good.

 

[nextwife]

Whew. Makes me glad all my neighbors have homes that are all stone or all brick, with a small amount of paintable trim. I'm not a fan of primary, crayola crayon colors for a house exterior!

 

[Krohn1912]

School bus yellow?

Not so funny. If you can prove that you cannot sell your home, based solely and specifically on that home being painted school bus yellow, sorta like an eyesore...yeah, it's possible you could be entitled to damages.

You have to prove it though. No certified letters or guestimates. We're talking people that will go to court for (with) you and not be hostile witnesses. Someone that will say <<<Oh heck no, I'd never buy that house because of the school bus yellow house next door!>>> All depends on what you feel your monetary loss is and if it's worth the headache.

What would you want? A judge to decide or a jury? What do you think any of them might be thinking that day? You never know. They might not like the looks of you or your hair color. They might not like the attitude of the other homeowner. Who knows.

The guy who said he paid $100,000 for his house and he'd paint it any color he'd like has an excellent point. People get kinda cranky when you attempt to dictate to them how to live, tell them their dog is offensive, that type of thing. Personally, I like yellow. Not on a house though. Did you know the real estate industry claims that yellow is the MOST popular home that's quick to sell?

World's made up of a bunch of freaks, but if we were all alike, what a boring bunch we'd be, yes?

That house sounds ugly as hel*. What about a really friendly fence, a really tall one? Attractive blinds and insulated curtains on that side of the house? Fully mature shrubs, plants, bushes, HUGE stuff...planted ASAP. It might help it to sell.

Contact one of those home improvement TV shows and ask advice. Email those suckers. Even better, send an SOS and a challenge for them to <<<Help sell this house!>>> That's really a television show I think.

Hope it's helped and good luck.

PS Don't plant any yellow-blooming shrubs. No, no, no...