what would you do?

[Laney]

dh and I have been looking at houses for weeks and haven't found one we can agree on yet. we currently rent a 3 bedroom duplex for $650 a month. we've lived here for a year and honestly don't want to live here another year while we find a house. we have the worst neighbors known to man-kind. to say they are loud is an understatement. there are 2 adults (a brother and sister) and a little boy(belongs to the sister). every time they walk out of the house it's *SLAM* goes the front door, same when they walk in the house *SLAM*. 3 or 4 nights a week evidently they slaughter their own dinner in their kitchen because we hear BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG for about 5 minutes...about 7 pm most nights. the little boy is a nightmare, my kids won't go outside if he's out there because he is so loud. running around the yard screaming and yelling for no reason, not playing....just screaming. he tells the other neighbor's kids he hates them and wished they die.

so on to my question.....
dh and I do not want to buy a house just because our lease is up next month. we want to buy a house because we love it and WANT that house. so, would you live next door to these people for another year and hope we find a house? or would you move to another rental until you found a house?

I was telling dh it would probably be best if we stayed (money-wise) but I really don't know if my sanity is worth what we would save by living here another year. you are supposed to be at peace when you are at home....ours is more like hell

[krbshappy71]

dh and I have been looking at houses for weeks and haven't found one we can agree on yet. we currently rent a 3 bedroom duplex for $650 a month. we've lived here for a year and honestly don't want to live here another year while we find a house. we have the worst neighbors known to man-kind. to say they are loud is an understatement. there are 2 adults (a brother and sister) and a little boy(belongs to the sister). every time they walk out of the house it's *SLAM* goes the front door, same when they walk in the house *SLAM*. 3 or 4 nights a week evidently they slaughter their own dinner in their kitchen because we hear BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG for about 5 minutes...about 7 pm most nights. the little boy is a nightmare, my kids won't go outside if he's out there because he is so loud. running around the yard screaming and yelling for no reason, not playing....just screaming. he tells the other neighbor's kids he hates them and wished they die.

so on to my question.....
dh and I do not want to buy a house just because our lease is up next month. we want to buy a house because we love it and WANT that house. so, would you live next door to these people for another year and hope we find a house? or would you move to another rental until you found a house?

I was telling dh it would probably be best if we stayed (money-wise) but I really don't know if my sanity is worth what we would save by living here another year. you are supposed to be at peace when you are at home....ours is more like hell

I had no idea we were neighbors!!!! (kidding!) No seriously my neighbors across the street always let their screen door SLAM even at 2 a.m., 3 a.m., screaming and hollering fights on their front lawns, its completely ridiculous. But I have lived here 8 years and I figure it could be worse. I own my house, they didn't live there when I moved in. I say this because please be aware you will not necessarily be moving away from a problem any more than you can control the next neighbors. Even if you chose a perfect neighborhood, people come and go all the time in this life.

Take your time, stick it out, find the home YOU want because in the end that will be your castle regardless of what goes on outside the four walls.

[Ponderer]

I would opt to look for a new rental situation. If I was not ready to buy that would be fine, but qualify of life has to come in to play for me. It is true that I might wind up in a worse situation but that is a gamble if you rent or buy. If I was miserable and that was a known then I would roll the dice and try to change it....especially if I was going to continue to rent for awhile until I was in the best position to buy. It would be a temporary change that could improve my quality of life enough that I think it would be worth it to me.

[Greebo]

Tell your leasing company that you wish to convert your lease to a month to month lease. They may not agree but you could make the point that it's let you stay month-to-month, or have to deal with replacing your lost rent now while you move somewhere that will.

[frugal is fun]

I agree with Greebo, try to convert to a month to month lease. Thats what I did when I was looking for a house.

can you complain to the landlord about it? at least have him fix the door so it doesn't slam?

I live on a very nice quiet street, neighbors are all nice and look out for each other except for the house directly across the street from me. The couple divorced and the dad moved out leaving the mom to keep the house and two teenage boys. Well the mom has done nothing to the house except let it fall apart. The two teenage boys both just got arrested for putting a sweatshirt over a 10yr olds head and robbing him. There are teenagers in the street in front of my house every weekend playing basketball and using the most foul language. I have a 6 yr old so this is the part that really bothers me. Things with this family were not like this before the couple got divorced. my point is, you have very little control over your neighbors so I would just wait it out where you are and find a house/neighborhood that you want.

good luck, I know how stressful buying a house can be!

[peanut]

Take the time to find the home you love. Then, despite bad neighbors, you will be happy. We've lived here 16 years and have had lots of bad neighbors. But you know, they invariably move on and someone else replaces them. Usually someone better.

What makes the difference for us is having a home where we feel comfortable. We can go inside and shut the doors and windows and the rest of world doesn't exist, unless it's a wild party across the lane. In which case we simply call the police and complain. And yes, they actually show up in this neighborhood and calm things down. One reason the noisy neighbors don't stay long.

Short term I think I would move to another rental.

I have a DD living in an apt. in a similar situation to yours. They are trying to pay down debt and are desperate to keep housing costs low. But I know her noisy neighbors take their toll on her sleeping and resting. She is currently looking for a house rental situation. She and SIL just need their space...and peace and quiet.

[Laney]

can you complain to the landlord about it? at least have him fix the door so it doesn't slam?

unfortunately there's nothing wrong with the door. it's the main door to the duplex, not a screen door. the only way to fix it so it doesn't slam is evict the neighbors

[frugalfranny]

so on to my question.....
dh and I do not want to buy a house just because our lease is up next month.

I agree with the poster that said try to go with a shorter lease.....preferably month to month but if landlord won't go that try for six months. You know your landlord..........have you explained to him that you are house hunting?

Often, (anyway, I do) if the tenant has fulfilled one lease I will go shorter lease time if they prefer.

Sounds like, financially, it is better to stay there than spending the 'move money' ............and who knows, you might find that perfect house in a month or so.

Also, maybe another discussion is in order about why you can't agree on a house..............who will be willing to "give".....and what can be sacrificed and each still be happy?

[Spirit Deer]

I think asking for a month to month lease is a good idea. If you're reliably paying your rent and not trashing the place, he/she might decide you're better tenants than what might move into the place when you leave.

I wouldn't buy a house I didn't like, but I would re-evaluate what I was looking for in a house. There may be some room for a compromise that would get you into a nice house. It's always hard to find a perfect house, although the way the real estate market is right now, you should have quite a bit to choose from.

Good luck. Crappy neighbors are the worst.

[shoiji]

Ah yes the idiot neighbor who slams doors. I ended up moving to another apartment because of an idiot neighbor.

Personally I think it is better to live somewhere you enjoy than have to deal with people who really do not care. Would you be able to find a place to rent for the same amount or even less? Even if you find a new place to rent you may be able to get a month to month lease at the new place.

[my4littlebuffaloes]

If you explain you are looking to buy somewhere not just find another rental they will be more willing to work with you I bet. I would try month-to-month, but if he doesn't want to do that, maybe you could do a 3 month rental while you keep looking? You might have to pay a bit more for a shorter term but to keep your options open is best. If he asks why you are moving, I would be honest about the other renters in the duplex.