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I don't really see why the OP is being faulted for wanting to keep this new investment looking new and wonderful before they get the chance to move in. It's a model home, those are bought as-is. I would imagine if you were in their shoes you would get a little worried about new sod or boxes and huge articles of trash as well.
Also, the OP has never said that children themselves are an issue. I'm not sure where that assumption has come from. I find that being concerned and already wanting to show a pride of ownership something that a neighborhood would find an asset. I seriously doubt that would make them the "neighborhood jerk".
Also, from the sound of their previous neighbors, they're likely jumpy and nervous to begin with. In reality, the OP is most likely a wonderful neighbor to have. They seem polite and concerned with the neighborhood.
I would not be worried about the sod until I moved in; if it's in the contract the condition today is immaterial and they can take it up with the builder at closing; today it is not their business. I saw no mention of huge articles of trash and even if there were, I would certainly take a wait-and-see attitude until I was actually the homeowner next door. Same with the boxes, and even then I'd give the people a week or two to get settled in before calling out the National Guard.
I would not be worried about the sod until I moved in; if it's in the contract the condition today is immaterial and they can take it up with the builder at closing; today it is not their business. I saw no mention of huge articles of trash and even if there were, I would certainly take a wait-and-see attitude until I was actually the homeowner next door. Same with the boxes, and even then I'd give the people a week or two to get settled in before calling out the National Guard.
I don't think anyone mentioned calling the National Guard, but nice exaggeration for purpose of making a point. I think it makes more sense for people to take notice of issues like mentioned above prior to purchase and closing, not worry about it after you've moved in and are locked into a 30-year mortgage.
Maybe it's just my strict military family upbringing but I was taught to never make your problem anyone else's. Moving frequently as a kid it was actually my job to cut up and twine the cardboard for recycling collection in the garage. These are just strewn out there not even broken down and over the property line. A trash day has come and gone and they do have the bins so they are setup.
You don't live there yet, so they aren't making anything your problem.
You are making a mountain out of a molehill. I can already tell you are going to be the neighbor who calls the hoa on every little thing, and wastes their time enforcing stuff that would have been taken care of soon anyway.
If you are that intolerant of normal human activities, you should be living off the grid somewhere.
You don't live there yet, so they aren't making anything your problem.
You are making a mountain out of a molehill. I can already tell you are going to be the neighbor who calls the hoa on every little thing, and wastes their time enforcing stuff that would have been taken care of soon anyway.
If you are that intolerant of normal human activities, you should be living off the grid somewhere.
That's hardly the situation, years ago I bought in a subdivision in a small town, only to discover that rural people are very much accustomed to doing as they damn please, property rights, blah, blah, freeeeddumb, etc. Dogs: This is the worst problem in my opinion, If people don't know enough to buy the right size dog for their family and lot space,you can assume there is little hope for any future consideration from them.
Ron White's observation of "you can't fix stupid" was spot on. Big aggressive mutts running around a small backyard, barking at everything under the sun, undisciplined kids, yelling at the top of their lungs as a normal component of their speech, and worse than all of that---the parents who are oblivious to the dog, kids, yard piled with crap, cars on the lawn, travel trailers on the street, late night noise, and a host of other violations of the CC&R's, but don't say anything, because that's "the way we are" ---and the war is on.
I didn't go the HOA, why would I? You can't fix stupid and either can the HOA...People are becoming more uncivil, it's all about them, all the time. This is evident on the road, in stores, at sporting events, in schools, and---of course, on web forums..We live in an older established neighborhood now, and I couldn't be happier, not a lot of kids, dogs, or young uncivil types who are exercising their "rights"...
I can see it now. You'll get yourself on the board and spend all your spare time cruising the neighborhood measuring grass height, timing garbage can movements and seeing who's washing their car in the driveway.
My mother was like this; she took walks all over the neighborhood with a little pad & pencil writing down every little thing. She went to every meeting and made life hell for the HOA too, who were actually pretty nice. Everyone in the neighborhood hated her.
... These are just strewn out there not even broken down and over the property line. A trash day has come and gone and they do have the bins so they are setup.
Is the cardboard all wet and soggy by now from being outside? And the grass underneath the cardboard starting to yellow/die? Maybe rats are living in the pile by now.
That's hardly the situation, years ago I bought in a subdivision in a small town, only to discover that rural people are very much accustomed to doing as they damn please, property rights, blah, blah, freeeeddumb, etc. Dogs: This is the worst problem in my opinion, If people don't know enough to buy the right size dog for their family and lot space,you can assume there is little hope for any future consideration from them.
Ron White's observation of "you can't fix stupid" was spot on. Big aggressive mutts running around a small backyard, barking at everything under the sun, undisciplined kids, yelling at the top of their lungs as a normal component of their speech, and worse than all of that---the parents who are oblivious to the dog, kids, yard piled with crap, cars on the lawn, travel trailers on the street, late night noise, and a host of other violations of the CC&R's, but don't say anything, because that's "the way we are" ---and the war is on.
I didn't go the HOA, why would I? You can't fix stupid and either can the HOA...People are becoming more uncivil, it's all about them, all the time. This is evident on the road, in stores, at sporting events, in schools, and---of course, on web forums..We live in an older established neighborhood now, and I couldn't be happier, not a lot of kids, dogs, or young uncivil types who are exercising their "rights"...
Our hoa will fine you if you have a violation for an extended period of time.
I didn't say he should move to the country. I said off the grid, as in not near anyone at all.
I can see it now. You'll get yourself on the board and spend all your spare time cruising the neighborhood measuring grass height, timing garbage can movements and seeing who's washing their car in the driveway.
There is no HOA, just CC&Rs. But I wouldn't care about any of that anyway. Is it somehow unreasonable to expect people to at least keep trash contained to their own yards?
There is no HOA, just CC&Rs. But I wouldn't care about any of that anyway. Is it somehow unreasonable to expect people to at least keep trash contained to their own yards?
They probably aren't viewing the home under construction as "someone's house" yet. You're getting really defensive here. Truth is nobody knows if they are going to be good or bad neighbors yet. What people are saying is it's probably not fair to judge them on move in day. The things you've described, while perhaps not up to your personal standards, are normal things that most people do when they move.
The kids apologized so their upbringing must be at least respectable. If they had smarted off and kept riding around the yard that would be a real cause for concern.
Anyway, I hope it works out and I'd just encourage you to not make up your mind about them based on this one experience.
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