After years of watching a mentally unstable neighbor wreak havoc on their quiet Midwestern street, one homeowner saw what felt like a small window of peace: the neighbor had finally landed in prison.
And now, for the first time in a while, the family could picture selling their home without worrying that the neighbor might scare off potential buyers during a showing, a dilemma they shared on Reddit’s r/RealEstate forum recently.
The neighbor, JJ, a man allegedly with a long history of mental health issues and substance abuse, has been a fixture in the neighborhood. The original poster said that he often wandered the street in all black, wearing a keffiyeh and yelled terrible things. “Anytime we see him coming down the street we take our kids inside,” OP shared.
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Though JJ has never directly confronted them, the unease has been constant. Over the years, he allegedly set multiple fires, including one that damaged the back of his relative’s home, a property two houses down and around the corner.
“We were planning on moving out next year,” the homeowner wrote. “That’s when we’ll have our debts cleared.” But with JJ out of sight, the urge to sell sooner is strong. “Potential buyers could literally be scared away if he goes walking by during a showing.”
Selling now would mean accepting a smaller down payment and giving up their current 2.99% mortgage rate for something over 6%. They’d also still be paying off debts. That trade-off didn’t sit well with many commenters.
“You don’t sound financially prepared to move,” one person wrote. “Doing things for hypothetical situations typically costs more than just waiting until the possible thing happens,” another said.
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Others disagreed. “Peace of mind is invaluable,” one person wrote, while another added, “You don’t know how mentally draining it is to have a bad neighbor until you’re dealing with one.”
Several people shared horror stories of violent or unpredictable neighbors ruining sales or even resulting in legal problems after buyers weren’t informed of issues. “Sell now. I had an insane neighbor and it took me two years to sell,” one person wrote. “He would march around his front yard with a rifle during showings.”
One of the biggest concerns raised was whether selling without mentioning JJ would be unethical or even illegal. Laws vary by state, but multiple people urged the OP to get familiar with local disclosure rules.
“Sellers are generally required to disclose any known issues with neighbors that could materially affect the property’s value,” another said.
Some pushed back, saying that JJ doesn’t live immediately next door and hasn’t caused direct problems to the OP’s property.
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Responses were split. Some encouraged the family to wait it out and stick to their original timeline, especially since JJ might remain under parole supervision even after release. Others said to sell now and prioritize safety and mental health.
“Money doesn’t matter as much when it comes to keeping your kids safe,” one summed it up.
While selling a home is a big move, for those not ready or unsure, there are other options. Platforms like Arrived let individuals invest in shares of rental properties for as little as $100. It’s a hassle-free way to invest in real estate, with potential monthly rental income and long-term appreciation. Over $1 million in dividends were paid out last quarter alone, making it an appealing alternative for those who aren’t quite ready to pack up and move.
In the end, no one can decide for this family but themselves. “Trust your gut,” one Redditor put it. “If you’re feeling the need to ask, it’s likely for a good reason.”
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This article Their ‘Schizophrenic’ Neighbor Ended Up In Prison, And The House Is Finally Sellable. They Ask, ‘Would It Be Unethical To Sell Now?’ originally appeared on Benzinga.com
