When on my evening walk a few nights ago, the thought occured to me that most of the houses in my neighborhood that have been sold and re-sold always seem to attract a buyer who is similar to the seller in terms of their maintenance/yard care habits:

Homes with sellers that did a poor job of caring for the property almost always seem to attract a buyer who continues the poor maintainance/yard care regimen. Conversely, homes that have been beautifully maintained by the seller, attract a buyer that continues caring for the property.

I can cite well over a dozen homes I personally see daily in our neighborhood where this pattern holds true.

Every once in a VERY great while, I'll see a junk home bought by a seller that puts a lot of time and elbow grease into bringing it up to par. Similarly, every once in a great while, the buyer of a wonderfully maintained home will let it go to pot.

i've also observed that "divorce" and "bankruptcy" homes tend to be sold to buyers that continue the pattern.

Weird! Have you observed this phenomenon in your area as well?

Jewel, I read this earlier and just now have time to post back so I've had a while to contemplate it. I have observed the very same thing as you so it is not specific to any particular part of the country.

Why? Only some guesses here but I think it probably has to do with individuals' personal expectations and standards. Those who have higher standards re maintenance/landscaping and such probably just pass by any home that has not been well-maintained while those who do not have the same standards aren't turned off because it is what they are accustomed to so it looks "okay" to them.

I agree about the anomalies as well. Think every once in a while, individuals who can see past run-down exteriors buy and follow through while those who don't have a clue how to do the work become enchanted with a property because of how it looked when they bought it and they are dismayed when it runs down without the necessary maintenance - that they never knew what was needed to keep it looking that way in the first place.

Even more interesting are the "divorce" and "bankruptcy" scenarios - once again I have seen the same. Less clear rationale in these cases although an argument could be made that people are buying over their ability - financial problems result in marital discord leading to divorce and/or bankruptcy but that doesn't really explain the phenomenon. Why would a preponderance of people who CAN'T afford a certain house be buying these houses instead of individuals who can afford them?

Great topic - will be interested to see what other posters have to say.

I don't understand the 'divorce' part...how would you know whether the new people were divorced?

I have bought 2 houses in the past in NJ and both were fixers and both had bad landscaping and both houses remodeled and yards were redone completely and look fantastic .I sold both houses over the years and now the yards look horrible and no one keeps all the beautiful gardens up like i did .The flower gardens are weed choked .I was sorry I went back and looked .I now live in my dream retirement home in VA and have to say I had it custom built but did all the country style landscaping on the 3 acres my heart desired and love every minute of .@ new homes built by me professionally landscaped and were beautiful before they were bought and now weeds choke the gardens and flowers out and yards are dead and they have only been in there houses for a little over a year .Noticed that several of the newer homes built here look just as bad if not worse and brings the values down .My house and gardens look good and several of the houses that were here before I had my house look great and they take care of there gardens and homes .Seems all the new people are more concerned that there cars are clean and spotless than there homes .This is not lower income homes either and it is not a high end home area by all means .But if you buy a home and the landscaping is there why would you want to leave it go .Some of the new people barely mow there lawns .Most lots are from 1 acre up to 15 acres .I have 3 acres and started with nothing but dirt and a house .

quote:

Originally posted by CJO:
I don't understand the 'divorce' part...how would you know whether the new people were divorced?

A couple buys the house and moves in. A year or so later, a moving truck pulls up and 1/2 the stuff is carted out. The remaining homeowner is overheard at the bus stop talking about court dates and child support.

Or, a single homeowner with or without kids buys the house and moves in. During introductions, he/she mentions being divorced.

And so on and so forth...

I see couples here buying houses before they get married and a couple of months down the road and one moves out and other one moves out and house goes into foreclosure .They say owning a house broke them up all it is they say is bills bills bills and work work work .well that is life life life

...and one or both could have lost their jobs.
The country is in a mess...economy wise. Hard on Realtors to revisit past clients, once thriving.. who now are struggling and must sell due to economy. Prayers to them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: real estate lady,

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Resident:
Those who have higher standards re maintenance/landscaping and such probably just pass by any home that has not been well-maintained while those who do not have the same standards aren't turned off because it is what they are accustomed to so it looks "okay" to them.

Sounds right to me!