10 Things Your Neighbors Secretly Hate About Your Home

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There’s no secret that being neighborly is important. We all want to live peacefully with the folks next door, but perhaps we have not noticed that our homes are broadcasting signals that others don’t like. Your house might be creating some friction without you realizing it, both big and little. The truth is, people may smile and wave at you, but there could be things they want you to change, secretly.

Now let’s get a closer look at some of the things that could cause resentment in the people you live with.

Too Many Lawn Ornaments

You’re not wrong, you love your flamingos and your gnomes. But your neighbors? Not so much. People start to cringe when your yard starts looking like a garden center threw up on it. Fewer is more and a few tasteful pieces will have a bigger impact then an overcrowded display.

Loud, Late-Night Gatherings

It’s a good party, isn’t it? It’s a different story when your music is blasting and laughter is echoing through the neighborhood at 1 a.m. Late at night, your neighbors value their peace and quiet. They may not march over and make you be quiet, but they’re quietly seething. To keep the peace, think about turning it down, or wrapping it up a bit earlier.

Pets Left Outside All Day

Dogs That Sadly Have The Shortest Life Span — Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Of course we all love our pets, but if you leave them outside for hours on end, if they’re the kind of pet that barks, it’s going to drive your neighbours up the wall. Your dog may be the best friend you have, but it’s not a good friend when it barks nonstop while you’re away at work. A little courtesy goes a long way and your neighbors will definitely thank you for the quiet.

Visible Trash and Recycling Bins

Innovative Solutions for Tackling Unpleasant Odors in Your Home — Photo Credit: Pixabay

Sure your home looks great on the inside, but those overflowing trash bins sitting out front tell a different story. No one wants to see garbage cans or recycling bins sitting out there after collection day. Not only is it untidy to look at, but it can also attract critters too. Tucking those bins out of sight will keep you on your neighbors’ good side.

That One Exterior Paint Color

While bold colors can make a house stand out, according to the Aesthetics of Joy, it’s not always in a good way. It could be that you have painted your house neon yellow, bright pink, or some other color that is sure to catch the eye, but your neighbors are actually wishing it wasn’t. As you celebrate individuality, they’re hoping the next time you decide to paint, you pick a color that goes a little less with the scenery.

Driveways and Walkways That Are unkempt

While you might not think cracked driveways or weedy walkways are much to worry about, to your neighbors they’re a glaring sign of neglect. A cared for path is a clean and well maintained path, and it is something that can make your home look looked after, and by extension improve your whole neighborhood. On the flip side, however, a driveway that makes it look like you and your friends live in a haunted house is a huge source of irritation to your surrounding neighbors.

Non-Stop Home Renovations

There is nothing wrong with improving your home, but the constant construction noise, parked contractor trucks and piles of building materials can wear on your neighbor’s patience. They’re probably counting down the days until the hammering stops if you’ve been working on your “dream home” forever. There is a long way to keeping them in the loop and minimizing disruption.

When I Say Holiday Decorations, I Mean Over the Top

A little holiday cheer is welcome by all of us, but when you have decorations to rival a theme park display, your neighbors might feel differently. Blinking lights, inflatable Santas, blaring repeat music on various hours probably come along with the holidays and can really get tiring if they’re still active weeks after the holiday season. Being festive is fun, but sometimes scaling it back will earn you some serious neighborly goodwill.

That Overgrown Lawn

Red Flags That Make Your Home a Burglar's Dream — Photo Credit: Pixabay

Although your neighbors may not say it, that patchy, overgrown lawn is an eyesore to them. Others may see it as laziness while you see it as a “natural look” or haven’t gotten around to mowing. Not only does a messy yard look bad, it also lowers the entire streets vibe. And even worse, it can draw in pests that no one wants to find crawling over the property line.

Parking Woes

Parking can be a sore spot whether it’s your car collection taking over the street or guests constantly blocking driveways. Your neighbors are gritting their teeth every time they pull into their own driveway if your driveway is always packed and your visitors are parking all over. A little parking courtesy goes a long way to keeping the peace on your street.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.