Fred,

I really like Barbara Todaro 's idea, as well as the privacy fence by Susan Emo which was often done in Napa.  Our property in Napa was next to a dilapidated chicken coop,  and luckily that was at the very bottom of the driveway.  If we had stayed longer, I would have planted trees along the driveway!  A

Buy the neighbor's house? Unless a code violation all you can do is try to sweeten them with some 'sugar'. Fresh can of nightcrawlers for fishin' or couple of cases of cold beer?

I once had to suggest a privacy fence and some new hedgerow trees planted.  I hope the dog is being cared for properly!!

Good morning Fred. I just sold a home that we flipped, that had the same situation. We put up a 6 foot fence to block out most of the yard, it worked just fine.

Sometimes you can call the city as a code violation. Or HOA

if the two neighbors are friendly, the one with the nice property can ask if their landscaper can do a quick "once over" to the front yard of the nasty home.... and a few painting touch ups.... and the nice property owner could plant 8' fast growing pine trees.....

Sadly, this does happen... unless you live in a community with strict HOA policies on maintenance.  Sadly, it's a risk of maintaining the value of your own property.  I've been asked "What can I do to increase the value of my home" and I've had to say: "Pay for the neighbors to clean up their yard and paint their house".  

Not much that can be done in most situations.  Contact the HOA and see what the status is.

I have a Client who lives in this same type of neighborhood! He is talking about listing his home and approaching is neighbor across the street to see if she will let him reside her house for her at her expense, and move the kids toys to the back yard.  He is even willing to have a gardner take care of the front yard until his house sells.

Is this a liability or something that should be on the sellers disclosure?

I like Barbara Todaro suggestion too, and agree that a creative landscaping buffer would do wonders. 

The homes in the neighborhood can definitely impact a home sale. That is one of the benefits of living in a neighborhood with a strict HOA.

Not much you can do, but you have gotten some good suggestions here if you can make any of those happen. Best of luck on this one!

Depends, you might check on city codes to see if there are violations either with the dog or the landscaping or dilapidated exterior.

Yes... my seller would have the  yards of the two houses on either side of hers landscaped when hers was done. Imagine the surprise of the buyers after closing when the neighbor's properties reverted to "normal." 

I once showed a house where the neighbors dog was chained to the fence next door and it barked a lot. The prospects did not buy the house.

Seller went next door and spoke with the home owner about their lawn and offered to mow.  She explained her home was listed and their appearance was not appealing.  Another neighbor moved in with 4 large dogs.  Sometimes it's a challenge. 

 IF THERE is the room i suggest plantings like this

                               neighbor (growl)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- lot line

x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x

   x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x                     trees... gives immediate blocking

I have had friends with this problem and they went and talked to the neighbor. It helped a little.

I just closed escrow on this exact situation!  The house next door was a selling detriment and people routinely asked what was up with that house.  I sent my investor over there and they were able to get the scoop from the owners that they knew it was an eye sore and would either fix it or sell it.  Either way, it would be addressed.  That solved the issue.

I sold one over the summer, and luckily it was a renter next door, and within a month of end of lease.  Shared that with all prospective buyers.

Yes it is a difficult issue.  I have had some luck with neighbors with unkept yards when I offer to have it groomed once.

Some folks believe yards are to be used, while others believe the entire purpose of a yard is to be mowed. I always give families with kids as much latitude as possible.

Go meet the neighbors. Let them know what's up. Ask them to "Help you" by suggesting you would like to direct potential buyers to ask 'THEM" about the community. Of course they will say yes. "Tell me more about your family?"

Now, you have the tools to bring the new owner into the commuity. A good neighbor with a bad yard is better than a fence.

I agree with Susan Emo on the fence; you could also go to the town but generally nothing there happens

Sweeten the deal, or make it unpleasant for the neighbor to keep your seller there.

Fred - You can have your seller try and talk to the neighbor and see if they can't work something out. Perhaps they would be willing to clean up, or you could offer to help clean up, or build a fence, etc.

If that doesn't work, most cities have Code Enforcement you can call for any violations. Also, in our area, most homes built after the early 90's are in a neighborhood with a HOA. You can contact the HOA for any violation.

Depends on the relationship between the sellers and the neighbors.  If the neighbors would not be duly  insulted and the sellers willing, have the sellers offer to clean up the yard - or pay someone to come in and do so.  It has the potential to kill a sale.

I am horrified about the chained dog;  I'd probably sneak back in the middle of the night, free it and take it home.  Or offer to buy it from the obvious low life losers whom the sellers have the misfortune to have as their neighbors. 

Barbara Todaro has an excellent answer.

Depends if there is an HOA...

Fence or lower the price.

 Good Wednesday morning Fred. Not much you can do! Some people's houses are a mess. Most likely, the rest of their life is too

Yes,  They were going to put up a fence, so they couldn't see it.

Just saw one. The sign says too late.  It is a mess across the stret. Next door is a garage in Campbell. It was sold 15% over asked.